A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences and Perceptions of Women Living With a Diagnosis of Breast Cancer in Barbados: Financial Loss

Abstract 45 Background Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is the second leading cause of death in Barbados and has an age standardized mortality rate of 117.7 and 179.3 per 100,000 in females and males, respectively. Breast cancer ha...

Full description

Saved in:
Bibliographic Details
Published in:Journal of global oncology 2018-03, Vol.4 (Supplement 1), p.33-33s
Main Authors: Vigilance, Jacqueline, Harewood, Heather, Greaves, Natalie
Format: Article
Language:English
Online Access:Get full text
Tags: Add Tag
No Tags, Be the first to tag this record!
Description
Summary:Abstract 45 Background Cancer is one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality in Latin America and the Caribbean. It is the second leading cause of death in Barbados and has an age standardized mortality rate of 117.7 and 179.3 per 100,000 in females and males, respectively. Breast cancer has the highest incidence and mortality rates for cancers among women in Barbados. Little research has been done on the factors influencing cancer survivorship in Barbados. Aims This study sought to examine the lived experiences of patients diagnosed and treated for breast cancer in Barbados with a view to identifying health system, societal and individual characteristics that facilitate or inhibit survivorship. Methods Individual, face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted until the point of saturation (12th interview). Participants were purposively selected with the assistance of a cancer charity on the island. All participants were female aged 27-69 years. All interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim. Data was analyzed using thematic analysis with constant comparison. ATLAS.ti (8) data management software used. Results Patient survivorship was affected by a complex interaction between: a) health system characteristics b) patient characteristics (inner resilience), and c) societal acceptance (namely perceptions and experiences of stigma and social support). The results presented in this paper highlight the health system characteristics related to the financing of cancer care. Patients experienced financial hardship although primary health care is free to citizens at the point of access. Public cancer care was not always timely; with care via the private sector requiring out-of-pocket spending, this often led to catastrophic financial hardship and dependence on social networks that facilitated care access. The experience of financial loss due to personal financing of care was further exacerbated by diminished employability and job-related discrimination due to cancer diagnosis. Significance These results highlighted the need for financial support structures for cancer patients in small island developing states such as Barbados as part of universal access to health care. AUTHORS’ DISCLOSURES OF POTENTIAL CONFLICTS OF INTEREST No COIs from the authors.
ISSN:2378-9506
2378-9506
DOI:10.1200/jgo.18.99700