%0 Journal Article
%T Needs and Opportunities for Information in Patients with Metastatic Breast Cancer Attending a Tertiary Hospital in Tanzania¡ªA Qualitative Study
%A Nazima Dharsee
%A Kisa Mwakatobe
%A Mary Haule
%A Queen Tarimo
%A Mohammed Mbwana
%J Advances in Breast Cancer Research
%P 63-76
%@ 2168-1597
%D 2023
%I Scientific Research Publishing
%R 10.4236/abcr.2023.123006
%X <strong>Background:</strong><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> The majority of breast cancer patients in Tanzania present with advanced
disease, and a significant proportion h</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">as</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> metastatic breast cancer (MBC) on presentation or
develop</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">s</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> it
during the course of their follow</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">up. With few treatment options to choose from, such patients often
benefit from empathic support and access to information to help them make
treatment decisions based on their individual circumstances and needs. Patients
with MBC have been shown to present with unique physical, social and psychological
needs that require additional time, counselling and availability of health care
providers in addition to the routine options available to other patients. In
resource-limited settings, the needs of such patients are often unknown and
unaddressed, which adds to the anxiety associated with the diagnosis and its
treatment. </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Materials and methods:</span></b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> This descriptive qualitative study was
conducted using 3 focus group discussions with a total of 17 participants with
metastatic breast cancer (MBC) attending Ocean Road Cancer Institute in Dar es
Salaam, Tanzania. Participants were purposively selected for the study from
outpatient clinics and inpatient wards. A semi-structured FGD guide was used to
moderate discussions and analysis was done using a thematic approach.</span></span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">Results: </span></b><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">The median age of
participants was 51 (range 33</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">81 years) with an average of
4 months (range 1</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">-</span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"> </span><span style=\"font-family:&quot;\"><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">12 months) from diagnosis </span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\">of BC to the interview. 4 (24%) were diagnosed
with MBC on first presentation</span><span style=\"font-family:Verdana;\"> (denovo). Participants spoke about
%K Metastatic Breast Cancer
%K Information
%K Needs
%K Qualitative
%U http://www.scirp.org/journal/PaperInformation.aspx?PaperID=125604