Evaluating Survivorship Experiences and Needs Among Rural African American Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Disparities in cancer survivorship exist among specific populations of breast cancer survivors, specifically rural African American breast cancer survivors (AA-BCS). While effective survivorship interventions are available to address and improve quality of life, interventions must be culturally tailored for relevance to survivors. Here, we report the results of our formative research using focus groups and in-depth interview to better understand unique rural AA-BCS survivorship experiences and needs in the Alabama Black Belt. Surveys were used to gather sociodemographic and cancer treatment data. Fifteen rural AA-BCS shared their experiences and concerns about keeping their cancer a secret, lack of knowledge about survivorship, lingering symptoms, religion and spirituality, cancer surveillance, and general lack of survivorship education and support. Rural AA-BCS were unwilling to share their cancer diagnosis, preferring to keep it a secret to protect family and friends. Quality-of-life issues like lymphedema body image and sexuality were not well understood. They viewed spirituality and religion as essential in coping and accepting cancer. Participants also discussed the importance of and barriers to maintaining health through regular check-ups. They needed social support from family and friends and health care providers. Overall, rural AA-BCS expressed their need for knowledge about survivorship self-management by providing a vivid picture of the realities of cancer survival based on shared concerns for survivorship support and education within the context of culture.

What is known about the role of rural-urban residency in relation to self-management in people affected by cancer who have completed primary treatment? A scoping review

“…A total of nine articles were included in the review [39][40][41][42][43][44][45][46][47]. The studies were published from 2011 to 2018 and conducted in the USA (n = 6), Australia (n = 2) and Canada (n = 1).…”

“…Five of the studies were with people affected by breast cancer and the other four included participants who had been affected by a range of cancers. A qualitative study with African American women from rural Alabama who had been affected by breast cancer (n = 15) [39] highlighted the need for social support from family and friends, as well as healthcare providers. The study highlighted a lack of survivorship education and support in their area.…”

Evaluating Cancer Patients’ Expectations and Barriers Toward Traditional Chinese Medicine Utilization in China: A Patient-Support Group–Based Cross-Sectional Survey

“…First, cancer patients from urban cities such as Beijing might have better resources and medical insurance coverage for TCM treatments than rural residents. 28 As a next step, we will launch a national-wide survey study to investigate Chinese cancer survivors’ utilization toward TCM and its association with quality of life or cancer outcomes. The current study was a patient-support group–based survey.…”

Posttreatment survivorship care needs of Spanish-speaking Latinas with breast cancer

“…19 Our findings of a high need for symptom management information and support, social support from family and friends, and self-management resources were similar to studies of other vulnerable breast cancer survivors. 18,20 …”