title: Psychosocial impact of breast cancer diagnosis among omani women.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The aim of this study was to explore different psychosocial impacts on Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with 19 Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer to describe the impact of the disease on their personal and social life. Women were recruited from wards and out-patient clinics at the Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Muscat.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Four main themes emerged. These were: a) factors related to psychological distress of the disease and uncertainty (worry of death, interference with work and family responsibilities, searching for hope/cure, travelling overseas); b) reactions of family members (shocked, saddened, unity, pressure to seek traditional treatments); c) views of society (sympathy, isolation, reluctant to disclose information); and d) worries and threats about the future (side effects of chemotherapy, spread of the disease, effect on offspring).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Breast cancer diagnosis has several devastating psychosocial impacts on women in Oman. Healthcare professionals working with women with breast cancer should be aware of the different psychosocial impacts of the disease on women's lives. Appropriate measures must be taken by the decision makers whenever needed, including enforcing positive views and support of Oman's society towards women with breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Mohammed
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Azri
authors.affiliation: Nursing Directorate, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.
authors.forename: Huda
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Awisi
authors.affiliation: Nursing Directorate, Sultan Qaboos University Hospital, Oman.
authors.forename: Samira
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Al-Rasbi
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Kawther
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: El-Shafie
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Mustafa
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Hinai
authors.affiliation: Department of Family Medicine and Public Health, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Hamdan
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Al-Habsi
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, College of Medicine and Health Sciences, Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman.
authors.forename: Mansour
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Al-Moundhri
keywords: Breast cancer; Diagnosis; Oman; Qualitative research