The Impact of a Breast Cancer Diagnosis on Young Omani Women's Social Interactions
Author Information
Author(s): Al-Azri Mohammed, AL-Kiyumi Zayana, Al-Bimani Khalid, Al-Awaisi Huda
Primary Institution: Sultan Qaboos University, Muscat, Oman
Hypothesis
This study aimed to explore the interaction patterns of young Omani breast cancer survivors following their diagnosis and during treatment.
Conclusion
Young Omani women with breast cancer demonstrated resilience through faith and acceptance, but some experienced diminished self-confidence and social withdrawal.
Supporting Evidence
- Participants reported a strong sense of acceptance of their cancer diagnosis as part of a divine plan.
- Many women sought to maintain normalcy in their relationships with children despite their diagnosis.
- Emotional support from spouses generally reinforced marital relationships.
- Family members provided significant emotional and practical support during treatment.
- Participants maintained social connections with friends, which helped prevent feelings of isolation.
- Some participants opted to keep their diagnosis confidential to avoid societal stigma.
Takeaway
This study looked at how young women in Oman deal with breast cancer and how it affects their relationships with family and friends. Some felt strong and accepted their illness, while others struggled with feeling less confident.
Methodology
Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 11 Omani women diagnosed with breast cancer, using purposive sampling and framework analysis for qualitative data.
Limitations
The study's findings may not be generalizable to other countries due to cultural differences, and the time since diagnosis was not systematically collected.
Participant Demographics
Participants were young Omani women aged under 45, with a mean age of 35 years, mostly married and employed.
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
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