title: Coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer among Omani women.
abstract: The aim of this study was to identify coping strategies experienced by Omani women after breast cancer diagnosis. Individual semistructured interviews were conducted with 19 women diagnosed with breast cancer. Several coping strategies were identified including denial, optimism, withdrawal, Islamic beliefs and practices, and the support of family members and health-care providers, but Islamic beliefs and practices were the commonest. Health-care professionals should be aware of and respect women's coping strategies and encourage them to use to reduce the psychological symptoms. They should also make family members and friends aware of their role in supporting and encouraging coping strategies.
authors.affiliation: Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Mohammed H
authors.initials: MH
authors.lastname: Al-Azri
authors.affiliation: Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Huda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Awisi
authors.affiliation: Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Rasbi
authors.affiliation: Sultan Qaboos University, Sultanate of Oman.
authors.forename: Mansour
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Moundhri
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D007514:Islam; D008875:Middle Aged; D009850:Oman; D012068:Religion and Medicine; D012944:Social Support; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: Oman; breast cancer; coping; diagnosis; women