"The disease is mine, the body is mine, I decide": Individual, interpersonal, and institutional barriers and facilitators among survivors of women's cancers in Andean countries.
Caroline M Johnson, Yamile Molina, Magaly Blas and 6 others
PMID 29313760WHAT IT FOUND
Survivors of breast and cervical cancer in Andean countries described fear, stigma, and bureaucratic delays as major barriers to care.
Strong family support and self-advocacy helped them navigate the system, while insensitive provider communication and long waits discouraged timely treatment.
Key findings
01Lack of knowledge and fear of the medical system, including fatalism and worry about painful procedures, were primary individual barriers that delayed screening and diagnosis.
02Insensitive or brusque behavior from doctors and nurses discouraged patients and promoted mistrust, whereas supportive providers and family encouragement facilitated engagement with care.
03Institutional barriers such as insurance confusion, long waits, and misdiagnoses caused significant delays and stress, while access to private insurance or advocacy groups helped survivors navigate these systems.
STILL TO COME
How it was doneWhat they foundWhat it means for RNs
Read the rest of this summary
You get three full summaries a month, free, and we do not ask for a card. Search, the TL;DRs and your library stay unlimited either way.
What it does not show
The study focused on survivors who attended a conference, likely selecting for more resilient or engaged individuals, which may not represent the broader population of cancer survivors. Most participants were Peruvian, limiting the generalizability of findings to other Andean countries. The sample size was small (15 participants), and the study explored perspectives rather than measuring clinical outcomes or efficacy of interventions.
Declared interests
The authors declared no conflicts of interest. The study was supported by grants from the National Institutes of Health (NIH) and non-U.S. government sources.
The easy way to misread this
Do not interpret these themes as evidence that specific interventions like support groups or sensitivity training reduce mortality or improve clinical outcomes. This study describes patient experiences and barriers; it does not test whether addressing them leads to better health results.