Abstract
This exploratory study provides insights into everyday realities, concerns, and cultural perspectives of Latinas undergoing chemotherapy, and elicits information on stress management and information needs. Informed by a community-based participatory research approach using qualitative methods, we conducted ten interviews with providers, and two focus groups (n = 13) and 20 in-depth interviews with Latinas recently diagnosed with breast cancer. Providers and Latina patients acknowledged multiple physical and emotional stressors associated with cancer treatment, viewed a positive aspect of the cancer experience to include connection with God and enhanced spirituality, saw family as a motivating factor for recovery, and expressed a need to draw on existing coping strategies. Findings show considerable overlap between providers and Latina cancer patients’ perceptions of stressors during chemotherapy. However, a few notable differences in perceptions of stress management needs during this treatment period emerged. While Latina cancer patients mentioned similar social/structural stressors (e.g., economic problems, lack of information) they tended to emphasize more of the interpersonal stressors related to family communication and relationships (e.g., providing and caring for family, distance from family), and intrapersonal stressors such as fear, changes in physical appearance, and side effects of chemotherapy. Our study illustrates the importance of including multiple perspectives. The information gained by including both providers and patient perspectives yielded a more complete understanding of the stress management needs of Latinas undergoing chemotherapy. Findings suggest that stress management educational interventions should aim to develop self-care skills, be culturally relevant and language-specific, and build upon stress-reducing strategies Latinas may already employ.
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Acknowledgments
The authors would like to thank the participants of this study, especially the women who shared their experiences with us. We would also like to thank Ms. Jennifer Martinez for her assistance with data collection and Ms. Melba Martinez for her assistance and feedback throughout the project. In addition, we would like to thank Ms. Coralia Vázquez-Otero and Nora Brickhouse Arriola for their assistance on the editing and proofreading of the article. The funding for the data collection and analysis was provided by Komen for the Cure, grant number POP0601312.
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The authors have no conflict of interest to declare.
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Martinez Tyson, D.(., Jacobsen, P. & Meade, C.D. Understanding the Stress Management Needs and Preferences of Latinas Undergoing Chemotherapy. J Canc Educ 31, 633–639 (2016). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-015-0844-x
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-015-0844-x