Exploring delays to help-seeking among patients presenting late for symptomatic breast cancer at Tygerberg Hospital.

[摘要] ENGLISH ABSTRACT: The primary focus of the study was to explore the reasons women delay seeking help forsymptomatic breast cancer among South African women attending a tertiary hospital. Thefocus was on patient delay after self-discovered breast symptoms. The study was conductedat Tygerberg hospital in Cape Town. The primary aim was to explore the personal andstructural barriers to help-seeking. The participants were 25 female patients diagnosed withbreast cancer. The data were collected through semi-structured individual interviews whichwas then analysed using Thematic Analysis. The Common Sense Model of Self-regulation inconjunction with Bronfenbrenner's Ecological Systems theory was used to frame the study'sresults.The results of this study showed that participants' insufficient knowledge of breastcancer, negative views of the healthcare system and social context following symptomdiscovery, contributed to their help-seeking delays. Structural barriers such as access tomedical care, access to finance and work related constraints were not found to be contributingfactors to help-seeking for the participants in this study.

[发布机构] Stellenbosch University