Cognitive coping strategies of South African women in breast cancer care

Abstract

In this qualitative study, we explored the cognitive strategies used by South African women with breast cancer to cope with their cancer experience. The themes that emerged were reappraisal, acceptance, relinquishing control, and benefit finding. Reappraisal involved downward comparison, normalising experiences, and positive self-talk. Acceptance included accepting unpleasantness, preparing for future challenges, acceptance for healing, and spirituality. Relinquishing control included giving up, trust in God, and trust in doctors. Benefit finding included spiritual growth, personal growth, altruism, and appreciation of life. To our knowledge, these were the first data to document South African women’s experiences of coping with breast cancer.

Coping Strategies Used by Patients After Diagnosis Disclosure in the Transition to Palliative Care: A Cross-Sectional Study

“…In fact, religion and spirituality seem to play an important role in the development of coping strategies, suggesting that providing spiritual care in PC may also help improve patients' quality of life. [29][30][31] Regarding research about coping strategies in Africa, we only found a study conducted in Cape Town, 32 which demonstrated that breast cancer survivors resorted more to positive reappraisal and acceptance strategies throughout the process since their diagnosis. Nonetheless, it should be noted that there may be differences in the coping strategies used by these women and the patients included in our work, as in the cited study the participants may not clearly remember the strategies used when they went through the cancer experience.…”

Symptoms, concerns, and experiences of women living with and beyond breast cancer in Africa: A mixed‐methods systematic review

“…In total, 48 studies were included, comprising quantitative (n = 24), qualitative (n = 23) and mixed methods 75 (n = 4) 33,35,41,50 ), (qualitative studies (n = 8) [53][54][55][56]58,60,66,71 ); Ghana (n = 11) (quantitative studies (n = 6) 31,32,36,39,48,51 ), (qualitative studies (n = 5) 57,61,63,69,72 ); Mali (n = 1) (quantitative studies (n = 1) 29 )); Central or Middle Africa (Cameroon (n = 1) (quantitative studies (n = 1) 28 )), Southern Africa (South Africa (n = 9) (quantitative studies (n = 1) 34 ), (qualitative studies (n = 8) 59,62,64,65,67,68,70,73 )), East Africa (Ethiopia (n = 9) (quantitative studies (n = 7) 30,37,40,42,44,46,47 ) (qualitative studies (n = 1) 74 ) (mixed method studies (n = 1) 75 );…”

“…Women also reported uncertainty around the impact of breast removal and treatment(s) on the remainder of their lives, whether the cancer would spread, 77 concerns about recurrence 68 and feeling cancer is a shameful and dangerous disease. 60,61,63,68 Many women did not feel comfortable revealing their cancer diagnosis to others because of fears of stigma and perceptions about breast cancer and were selective with disclosure. Where a cancer diagnosis was disclosed, many participants reported feeling stigmatised by their family, community, and church 52,56,57,61,62,64,71,72 ; in one study a family believed breast cancer to be contagious and prevented a participant from feeding her son and provided her with a different set of plates and cutlery.…”

“…60,72 Despite some women feeling despair, many expressed hopes that they will not die from breast cancer, often citing faith in God and a greater appreciation of 'God's gift of life'. [54][55][56]67,68,71 Many women did not report receiving adequate support from their healthcare providers and were not fully informed about their diagnosis, treatment, and posttreatment options. Many felt their doctors had told them about their diagnosis and treatment in a causal manner and they were not permitted to participate in treatment decisions.…”

“…Women received support in cash and kind from members of their community, religious organizations, workplaces, and the health facilities that they attended. [52][53][54][55][56]60,62,[66][67][68][69][70][71][72]…”