The psychosocial experiences of breast cancer amongst Black, South Asian and White survivors: do differences exist between ethnic groups?

Patel-Kerai, Geeta; Harcourt, Diana; Rumsey, Nichola; Naqvi, Habib; White, Paul

Abstract

Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd. Background: Very little UK-based research has examined breast cancer-related experiences of Black and Minority Ethnic populations, and we do not know whether the psychosocial impact of diagnosis and treatment in this group is any different to that of White women. Therefore, this study examined similarities and differences amongst Black, South Asian and White breast cancer survivors.

Methods: A quantitative, cross-sectional survey was conducted; 173 breast cancer survivors (80 White, 53 South Asian and 40 Black) completed a questionnaire, which assessed psychological functioning, social support, body image and beliefs about cancer.

Results: Significant differences (p < 0.05) were reported between White and South Asian participants: compared with White women, South Asian participants reported higher levels of anxiety and depression, poorer quality of life and held higher levels of internal and fatalistic beliefs pertaining to cancer. Black and South Asian women reported higher levels of body image concerns than White women, and held stronger beliefs that God was in control of their cancer. South Asian women turned to religion as a source of support more than Black and White women.

Conclusion: This study enhances current understanding of the experience and impact of breast cancer amongst Black and South Asian women, and demonstrates similarities and differences between the ethnic groups. The findings highlight implications for healthcare professionals, particularly in relation to providing culturally sensitive care and support to their patients. Copyright © 2016 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

• Journal Article Type: Article
• Acceptance Date: May 27, 2016
• Online Publication Date: Jun 2, 2016
• Publication Date: Apr 1, 2017
• Deposit Date: Apr 8, 2016
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 3, 2017
• Journal: Psycho-Oncology
• Print ISSN: 1099-1611
• Publisher: Wiley
• Peer Reviewed: Peer Reviewed
• Volume: 26
• Issue: 4
• Pages: 515-522
• DOI: https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.4187
• Keywords: breast cancer, oncology, psychosocial, ethnicity, Black, South Asian, body image, visible difference
• Public URL: https://uwe-repository.worktribe.com/output/890180
• Publisher URL: http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pon.4187
• Additional Information: Additional Information : This is the peer reviewed version of the following article: Patel-Kerai, G., Harcourt, D., Rumsey, N., Naqvi, H. and White, P. (2017) The psychosocial experiences of breast cancer amongst Black, South Asian and White survivors: Do differences exist between ethnic groups? Psycho-Oncology, 26 (4). pp. 515-522, which has been published in final form at http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pon.4187. This article may be used for non-commercial purposes in accordance with Wiley Terms and Conditions for Self-Archiving.
• Contract Date: Apr 8, 2016