Understanding the Breast Cancer Experience of Survivors: a Qualitative Study of African American Women in Rural Eastern North Carolina

摘要: The purpose of this study is to gain an in-depth understanding African American breast cancer survivors’ experiences, barriers and facilitators in accessing treatment, challenges adherence follow-up care. We conducted seven focus groups with 32 women three rural counties eastern North Carolina during August–November 2013. Surveys were also utilized gather basic demographic health history information. Thematic analysis was performed using the immersion crystallization approach. Several common areas life affected by included faith support networks, psychosocial well-being, quality care issues. Faith God important coping mechanism essential all a critical facilitator survivorship. Support networks consisted family, church-family, friends, co-workers. concept fear discovery death, negative side effects social stigma having cancer. Factors that influenced provider-patient relationship age provider, perceived lack empathy, providers leaving treatment. Participants expressed their knowledge regarding number they experiencing after Results contribute assessment potential mechanisms used survivors (i.e., spirituality, positive attitudes, networks) can potentially be effective have impact on adjustment for survivors.