Between stigma and pink positivity: women's perceptions of social interactions during and after breast cancer treatment

Abstract

This study explores women's perceptions of social interaction during and after their treatment for early stage breast cancer. An analysis of interviews with 24 women between 6 months and 29 years post-diagnosis reveals that interactions can be influenced by conflicting public discourses surrounding breast cancer. For example, there is the continuing association of cancer with death and the resulting potential for a stigmatised identity. In contrast is the ultra-positive discourse around cancer survivorship, with breast cancer in particular being associated with pink campaigning and a push towards positive thinking. Participants described managing conversations during treatment; sometimes playing down their private suffering and presenting a positive (public) image rather than risk alienating support. After treatment they were encouraged to move on and get back to 'normal'. While other breast cancer patients and survivors were often good sources of support, there was also a danger of assuming that all experiences would be the same. We present data to illustrate that women often present public accounts that are driven by an expectation of positivity and fear of stigmatisation at all stages of breast cancer treatment and beyond.

Cancer patients’ experiences with immune checkpoint modulators: A qualitative study

“…For example, the acceptance and adaptation of patients to their SEs by minimizing them and/or reframing their causes, severity and meaning was expected in light of prior research . Similarly, faith in medical innovation, gratitude for social support, and focus on survival (vs HRQOL), hope, and positive thinking are also consistent with previous research . Favorable accounts provided by cancer patients may be driven by an expectation of positivity that has been created by cancer survivorship movements .…”

Non-Communicable Diseases-Related Stigma: A Mixed-Methods Systematic Review

“…Most studies were on felt stigma (perceived = 11; internalized = 8; anticipated = 4), followed by enacted stigma ( n = 9). Four studies—which were all qualitative—did not specify the type of stigma studied and only discussed the overarching generalized concept of stigma [ 33 , 34 , 35 , 36 ]. Table 1 shows an overview of the different types of stigma explored in the selected studies.…”

“…The other source of stigma identified in the articles included societal actors who played part in stigmatization as a result of the influence and enforcement of societal norms which discredit and devalue those with health conditions, viz. family [ 8 , 9 , 11 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 36 , 38 , 59 ], friends [ 9 , 28 , 29 , 31 , 32 , 38 , 59 ], doctors/healthcare providers [ 9 , 28 , 29 , 34 , 38 , 59 ], employers [ 30 , 33 , 62 ], and colleagues at the workplace [ 9 , 38 , 62 ]. Most studies identified and examined the role of family and friends as perpetuators of stigma, followed by healthcare providers, employers, and work colleagues.…”

“…Many people living with cancers, CVDs, CRDs, and diabetes are known to encounter similar stigma-related manifestations like avoidance and isolation [ 8 , 9 , 27 ], exclusion from social participation [ 28 , 29 , 30 ], both perceived and experienced unfair and unjust treatment in social, education, employment, and healthcare settings [ 8 , 9 , 31 , 32 , 33 ], feelings of shame and guilt for having the disease [ 11 , 27 , 31 , 34 ], and fear of discrimination and ostracization [ 32 , 35 , 36 ]. Such experiences are known to discourage help-seeking and the disclosure of health status, which in turn can potentially hamper the treatment and management of these conditions [ 8 , 33 , 37 , 38 ].…”

Mapping of Female Breast Cancer Incidence and Mortality Rates to Socioeconomic Factors: From Univariate Analysis to Path Diagram Analysis

“…On the other hand, it is important to consider the factors of breast cancer occurrence and development from the perspective of social/environment factors [16,17] and their interactions [18] (e.g. support [19] and education, networks [20], emotion [21]) on breast cancer occurrence and development. Numbers of individual and environmental factors may contribute to the risk of breast cancer and the prognosis in patients.…”