Understanding the Perceptions of Omani Women Regarding Life After a Breast Cancer Diagnosis

Overview

Journal Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J

Specialty General Medicine

Date 2021 Jan 8

PMID 33414942

Citations 5

Authors

Asya Al-Riyami

Nadia N Abdulhadi

Mohammed Al-Azri

Affiliations

Soon will be listed here.

Abstract

Objectives: There is a rising burden of breast cancer (BC) in the Eastern Mediterranean Region (EMR), and its sociopsychological impact is a quickly growing health concern in this region. Because understanding cancer patients' perceptions of life is integral to their treatment, they are also a concern for healthcare providers. This qualitative study, therefore, explored changes in Omani women's perceptions of life after a BC diagnosis.

Methods: Semi-structured interviews were conducted individually with 21 Omani women undergoing treatment for BC at the Oncology Ward of Muscat's Royal Hospital from March to May 2017. The collected data were subjected to qualitative content analysis.

Results: After their cancer diagnosis, the women appeared to pass through three main stages in their coping processes. First, they passed through a stage of severe psychosocial distress and diminishment in personal identity. Next, they evolved strategies for coping based on cultural, religious and family resources. Finally, the women experienced acceptance and submission to the reality of the cancer as God's will with changes in attitudes and perceptions of the meaning of life.

Conclusion: A BC diagnosis impacts Omani women severely, affecting their lives dramatically. They adopt coping strategies based on cultural, religious and spiritual beliefs. Healthcare providers need to acknowledge and facilitate women's spiritual and cultural coping strategies as an integral part of their treatment which holds potential to improve their prognosis. Such strategies should be individualised to suit each woman's experiences, perceptions and needs.

Citing Articles

Evaluating Symptom Burden Among Omani Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Study.

Al Alawi K, Al Fahdi A, Chan M, Al Sumri H, Al-Azri M Curr Oncol. 2025; 32(2).

PMID: 39996859 PMC: 11854252. DOI: 10.3390/curroncol32020059.

The Impact of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis on the Social Interaction Patterns of Young Omani Women: A Qualitative Study Approach.

Al-Azri M, Al-Kiyumi Z, Al-Bimani K, Al-Awaisi H Curr Oncol. 2024; 31(12):7979-7993.

PMID: 39727712 PMC: 11674779. DOI: 10.3390/curroncol31120589.

Introduction of Cancer Education Program in Secondary School Curriculum: Perceptions of Education Teachers and Policymakers in Oman.

Al-Hosni K, Al Sumri H, Chan M, Al-Azri M J Cancer Educ. 2024; 39(6):729-738.

PMID: 38833139 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-024-02457-2.

Prevalence of psychological distress and associated factors among Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer: a single-centre, cross-sectional study.

Al-Fahdi A, Chan M, Al-Siyabi W, Al-Yafai E, Al-Khatri M, Al-Azri M BMJ Open. 2023; 13(9):e073967.

PMID: 37734894 PMC: 10514623. DOI: 10.1136/bmjopen-2023-073967.

The Unmet Supportive Care Needs of Omani Women Diagnosed with Breast Cancer.

Al-Azri M, Al-Bimani K, Al-Maqbali A, Al-Riyami H, Al-Shabnooti A, Panchatcharam S Sultan Qaboos Univ Med J. 2022; 22(4):515-524.

PMID: 36407694 PMC: 9645518. DOI: 10.18295/squmj.9.2021.135.

References

Elo S, Kyngas H . The qualitative content analysis process. J Adv Nurs. 2008; 62(1):107-15. DOI: 10.1111/j.1365-2648.2007.04569.x. View

Montazeri A . Health-related quality of life in breast cancer patients: a bibliographic review of the literature from 1974 to 2007. J Exp Clin Cancer Res. 2008; 27:32. PMC: 2543010. DOI: 10.1186/1756-9966-27-32. View

Hunter M, Coventry S, Hamed H, Fentiman I, Grunfeld E . Evaluation of a group cognitive behavioural intervention for women suffering from menopausal symptoms following breast cancer treatment. Psychooncology. 2008; 18(5):560-3. DOI: 10.1002/pon.1414. View

Devi M, Fong K . Spiritual Experiences of Women with Breast Cancer in Singapore: a Qualitative Study. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs. 2019; 6(2):145-150. PMC: 6371664. DOI: 10.4103/apjon.apjon_77_18. View

Conley C, Bishop B, Andersen B . Emotions and Emotion Regulation in Breast Cancer Survivorship. Healthcare (Basel). 2016; 4(3). PMC: 5041057. DOI: 10.3390/healthcare4030056. View

Salsman J, Fitchett G, Merluzzi T, Sherman A, Park C . Religion, spirituality, and health outcomes in cancer: A case for a meta-analytic investigation. Cancer. 2015; 121(21):3754-9. PMC: 4618242. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.29349. View

Sabry W, Vohra A . Role of Islam in the management of Psychiatric disorders. Indian J Psychiatry. 2013; 55(Suppl 2):S205-14. PMC: 3705684. DOI: 10.4103/0019-5545.105534. View

Rudaz M, Ledermann T, Grzywacz J . The Influence of Daily Spiritual Experiences and Gender on Subjective Well-Being Over Time in Cancer Survivors. Arch Psychol Relig. 2020; 41(2):159-171. PMC: 7500286. DOI: 10.1177/0084672419839800. View

Al-Lawati J, Al-Zakwani I, Fadhil I, Al-Bahrani B . Cancer Incidence in Oman (1996-2015). Oman Med J. 2019; 34(4):271-273. PMC: 6642720. DOI: 10.5001/omj.2019.55. View

10.

Mawardika T, Afiyanti Y, Rahmah H . Gynecological cancer inpatients need more supportive nursing care than outpatients: a comparative study. BMC Nurs. 2019; 18(Suppl 1):28. PMC: 6696661. DOI: 10.1186/s12912-019-0355-x. View

11.

Palinkas L, Horwitz S, Green C, Wisdom J, Duan N, Hoagwood K . Purposeful Sampling for Qualitative Data Collection and Analysis in Mixed Method Implementation Research. Adm Policy Ment Health. 2013; 42(5):533-44. PMC: 4012002. DOI: 10.1007/s10488-013-0528-y. View

12.

Alawadi S, Ohaeri J . Health - related quality of life of Kuwaiti women with breast cancer: a comparative study using the EORTC Quality of Life Questionnaire. BMC Cancer. 2009; 9:222. PMC: 2714557. DOI: 10.1186/1471-2407-9-222. View

13.

Leung L . Validity, reliability, and generalizability in qualitative research. J Family Med Prim Care. 2015; 4(3):324-7. PMC: 4535087. DOI: 10.4103/2249-4863.161306. View

14.

Al-Azri M, Al-Awisi H, Al-MoundhrI M . Coping with a diagnosis of breast cancer-literature review and implications for developing countries. Breast J. 2009; 15(6):615-22. DOI: 10.1111/j.1524-4741.2009.00812.x. View

15.

Al-Lawati N, Al-Bahrani B, Al-Raisi S, Al-Lawati J . Twenty-year trends of cancer incidence in Omanis, 1996-2015. Oman Med J. 2019; 34(4):361-387. PMC: 6642706. View

16.

Al-Adawi S, Al-Zakwani I, Obeid Y, Zaidan Z . Neurocognitive functioning in women presenting with undifferentiated somatoform disorders in Oman. Psychiatry Clin Neurosci. 2010; 64(5):555-64. DOI: 10.1111/j.1440-1819.2010.02117.x. View

17.

Abu-Saad Huijer H, Abboud S . Health-related quality of life among breast cancer patients in Lebanon. Eur J Oncol Nurs. 2012; 16(5):491-7. DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2011.11.003. View

18.

Meropol N, Egleston B, Buzaglo J, Benson 3rd A, Cegala D, Diefenbach M . Cancer patient preferences for quality and length of life. Cancer. 2008; 113(12):3459-66. PMC: 2606934. DOI: 10.1002/cncr.23968. View

19.

Masel E, Schur S, Watzke H . Life is uncertain. death is certain. Buddhism and palliative care. J Pain Symptom Manage. 2012; 44(2):307-12. DOI: 10.1016/j.jpainsymman.2012.02.018. View

20.

DeJong J, Zurayk H, Myntti C, Tekce B, Giacaman R, Bashour H . Health research in a turbulent region: the Reproductive Health Working Group. Reprod Health Matters. 2017; 25(sup1):4-15. DOI: 10.1080/09688080.2017.1379864. View