Role of culture in the life experience of women with breast cancer in Iran: A phenomenological study

The impact of cultural context on the psychological adaptation of women to breast cancer (BC) has been recognized as significant. Consequently, the primary objective of this study was to gain insight into women's life experiences, taking into account the role of culture in forming BC-related experiences.

This research was conducted with a qualitative phenomenological design to detect the experiences of women living with BC. The statistical population of this research included Iranian women with BC who referred to educational and oncology centers affiliated with the medical sciences universities in Iran and were members of the Tehran BC virtual group. The samples were selected using purposeful and snowball sampling methods. The required data were collected by holding semi-structured and in-depth interviews with 11 women in stages 1, 2, and 3 of BC in the age range of 29 to 51 years. The interview guide was semi-structured questions.

The main concepts indicating cultural factors affecting BC adaptation were extracted. In this regard, the challenges of women with BC were as follows: fear of cancer, financial and occupational problems, changes in motherhood role, perceived concerns about the unpredictability of social conditions, unhealthy sympathy from relatives and community members, and the issue of cancer as a taboo. Moreover, some strategies were adopted to cope with the threatening conditions of this disease: Spirituality, perceived support, maintaining individual abilities, and emotional expression.

Individuals' culture affects the formation of their experiences and adaptation to BC. Interventions culturally tailored to individuals’ needs can play a more effective role by using a common language (i.e., culture).