A COMPREHENSIVE STUDY OF BREAST CANCER PATIENTS OF PAKISTAN

Introduction: Women with a diagnosis of advanced breast cancer engage in a multi-stage cancer treatment cycle often involving surgery, radiation treatment and chemotherapy. These cycles of treatment are not free of side effects. Aims and objectives: The basic aim of the study is to analyze about the breast cancer patients among local female population of Pakistan.

Material and methods: This study was conducted at BAMDC Multan, during 2017 to 2018. Using a purposive sampling strategy, 14 adult female breast cancer patients were selected for this study with variations in their age, educational level, socioeconomic status, and number of exposures to RT.

Collection of data: Data were collected through the recording of the face-to-face in-depth interviews, using a semi-structured interview guide.

Results: A total of 14 female breast cancer patients participated in this study. Their age ranged between 20 and 60 years, with an average of 35 years. Majority (79%) of them were married. About 50% of them were illiterate, whereas 43% were matriculate. All of them were Muslims and of Pathan ethnicity. Before RT, all of them had mastectomy of the affected breast, followed by chemotherapy. Analysis of the interviews data each category and its subcategories are described below with some excerpts from the participants’ narratives.

Conclusion: It is concluded that a substantial number of adult cancer patients were depressed and have a suicidal ideation, causing a significant functional impairment.