Living with breast cancer : the lived experience and the role of social support among women of South Asian origin in Australia

Abstract

It was estimated that in Australia in 2020, breast cancer was the fifth most common cause of death from all types of cancer and the second most common cause of death from cancer among females. There have been several qualitative studies which have examined the experiences of women diagnosed with breast cancer in Australia. However, none have examined the lived experience of women of South Asian origin living with breast cancer in Australia, the largest culturally and linguistically diverse group in Australia. This is a significant gap in the literature as cultural perspectives towards breast cancer may differ in this cultural group from Anglo-Australians. The aim of this thesis was to investigate the lived experience and role of social support among women of South Asian origin with breast cancer living in Australia. A meta-synthesis (published) of the existing qualitative literature around the breast cancer experiences among women in Australia was initially conducted to establish the research gap and to inform my thesis. A qualitative study, using in depth interviewing and photovoice methodologies, was subsequently undertaken to explore the aims of the thesis through the theoretical lens of Bury's Biographical disruption and Lazarus and Folkman's Stress and Coping theories. In the meta-synthesis, most women were emotionally supported following their diagnosis, yet there are still areas where women could be better supported such as when breaking the news of their diagnosis to their children, provision of ongoing emotional support for caregivers of women with breast cancer, emotional and informational support needs both at diagnosis and during treatment, and discussion of fertility treatments in a timely manner by healthcare professionals. Overall, the findings of my qualitative study revealed that South Asian culture has a significant impact on these women's breast cancer experiences. Mixed healthcare experiences were apparent among the women who took part in this study. The lived experience of these women also differed from the existing literature exploring Anglo-Australian populations both in terms of coping strategies leveraged, and the support received while managing their cancer. While some similarities exist between the lived experiences of breast cancer among other Australian females as found in the meta-synthesis and the women of South Asian origin who took part in this study, multiple differences also exist which are connected to cultural norms and perceptions of the disease.

Date of Award	2021
Original language	English