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Perceived information needs and social support of Chinese-Australian breast cancer survivors

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Abstract

Background

Both informational and social support are vital components in achieving a high quality of life as a cancer survivor. The study aims to explore the perceptions of information needs and social support among Chinese-Australian breast cancer survivors and how these resources impacted their cancer experience.

Methods

Three focus groups were conducted with 23 Chinese-Australian women diagnosed with breast cancer in their native language (Mandarin and Cantonese). Each interview was translated and transcribed. Content analysis was used to uncover the major themes.

Result

Themes for information needs were identified as (1) using linguistically appropriate information, (2) the need for culturally sensitive information for the management of expected side effect and promotion of recovery and (3) the need for information on signs and symptoms of recurrence. Families were described as a primary source of multifaceted social support, although it was challenging to obtain. Support groups were also an important support source, but health care professionals were not identified as a source of support.

Conclusion

Our study has provided practical insight into the information needs and social support of Chinese women with breast cancer. These findings can be used to inform the development of linguistically and culturally tailored support and survivorship interventions for this vulnerable population.

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Notes

  1. It needs to be recognized that Chinese-Australian women are not a homogenous group. Among other factors, they vary in terms of education level, age, length of stay in Australia, English language competence and social-economic status. Nonetheless, we have found a remarkable similarity in the attitudes and experiences of many of these women. In social science research, there is always a tension between idiographic and nomothetic explanations. In this article, we have focused on commonalities rather than outliers and diversity in order to provide those responsible for clinical services with a general understanding of this group. Having said that, we warn against stereotyping patients, each of whom needs to be treated as an individual.

  2. We wish to emphasize that there were no significant differences between the three groups.

  3. We note that best practice guidelines recommend that health practitioners use professional interpreters rather than family members [39]. However, where these services are not available or used, our participants were reassured by the availability of family members to perform this function.

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Acknowledgments

This research was funded by 06/ECF/1-14 from the Cancer Institute NSW. The authors would like to gratefully acknowledge the help received from all study participants and would like to express their appreciation for the recruitment assistance given by the Chinese cancer support group.

Conflict of interest

The authors declare that there is no conflict of interest related to this research and there is no financial relationship with the organisation that sponsored the research. The authors have full control of all primary data and allow the journal to review the data if requested.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Western Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    C. Kwok

  2. University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia

    K. White

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  1. C. Kwok
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Correspondence to C. Kwok.

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Kwok, C., White, K. Perceived information needs and social support of Chinese-Australian breast cancer survivors. Support Care Cancer 22, 2651–2659 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2252-x

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