A phenomenological study of the cultural lived experiences among Angolan women with breast cancer

• Type: Article in International Scientific Journal
• Date: 2025

Authors

Sousa-Martins, N (Author) Other; Azevedo L (Author) FMUP; Lopes, LV (Author) Other; Barbieri-Figueiredo, MD (Author) ESEP

Journal

Title: European Journal of Oncology Nursing

Vol. 76

ISSN: 1462-3889

Publisher: Elsevier

Indexing

ISI Web of Knowledge - 0 Citations

Scopus - 0 Citations

Other information

Authenticus ID: P-018-F96

DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2025.102885

Abstract (EN): Purpose: This study aims to explore and describe the lived experiences of Angolan women with breast cancer, considering the socio-cultural context and health care challenges they face. Method: Eighteen semi-structured interviews were conducted among Angolan women with breast cancer. Purposeful sampling was utilised to select participants with diverse age groups and ethnic backgrounds. We performed a qualitative study using Giorgi's descriptive phenomenological approach. Results: The present study found cultural views of breast cancer, family support, and religious-spiritual coping to be essential themes. The results offer significant insights into the cultural framework of health in Angolan society, encompassing the information, perceptions, and cognitions employed to describe, comprehend, and elucidate illness, as well as the pursuit of therapy that seldom aligns biological criteria. Conclusions: The present study has implications for nursing, as it recognises that individuals have unique behaviours and thoughts related to their current understanding of the illness, their personal experience with the illness, and their specific beliefs about health and healing. The findings of this study provide essential insights into how Angolan women's cultural beliefs and practices shape their experiences with breast cancer, offering nurses a foundation to develop culturally competent care approaches.

Language: English

Type (Professor's evaluation): Scientific

No. of pages: 9