title: Culture, attitude and knowledge about breast cancer and preventive measures: a qualitative study of South Asian breast cancer patients in the UK.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Little is known about the influence of culture and beliefs about breast cancer, and its implications on preventive health behaviour among South Asian people in the UK.
  
  
  METHODS
  Using a qualitative approach, 24 South Asian breast cancer patients and their significant others were interviewed.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Most patients were unfamiliar with the subject of cancer; they expressed lack of knowledge of cancer as a disease and its symptoms. They identified a painless lump in the breast as sign of abnormality, but not cancer. They also did not know any non-lump breast symptoms. Over half participated in breast screening after encouragement from daughters or relatives. Most did not practise breast self-examination. Perceptions of cancer and health behaviour were influenced by cultural beliefs. Common themes were cancer is a taboo subject and cancer is a stigma. Patients also expressed misunderstandings about the cause of cancer. Cancer in the family had ramifications on children' s marriage prospects and may cause marital breakdown. Terminology used also caused communication problems with healthcare professionals and within the family: the use of ' chest' to substitute ' breast' changed the meaning of the message conveyed.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Cultural beliefs and practices accentuate difficulties in understanding breast cancer, breast screening and breast self-examination, and can prevent South Asian women from adopting preventive health practices.
authors: Yorkshire Regional Genetic Service, Department of Clinical Genetics, Leeds Teaching Hospital NHS Trust, Leeds General Infirmary, and School of Medicine and Health Sciences, University of Leeds, Leeds, UK.
authors: Gulshan
authors: G
authors: Karbani
authors: Jennifer N W
authors: JN
authors: Lim
authors: Jenny
authors: J
authors: Hewison
authors: Karl
authors: K
authors: Atkin
authors: Kieran
authors: K
authors: Horgan
authors: Mark
authors: M
authors: Lansdown
authors: Carol E
authors: CE
authors: Chu
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D044466:Asian People / Q000208:ethnology; D001294:Attitude to Health / Q000208:ethnology*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis*; D018567:Breast Neoplasms, Male / Q000175:diagnosis; D016504:Breast Self-Examination; D003466:Cultural Characteristics; D057210:Delayed Diagnosis; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice / Q000208:ethnology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008403:Mass Screening / Q000379:methods; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D015996:Survival Rate; D006113:United Kingdom / Q000453:epidemiology