Belete Nahom G, Bhakta Meera, Wilfong Tara, Shewangizaw Mahlet, Abera Edilawit Abebaw, Tenaw Yehenaw, Shawel Michael, Seife Habtamu, Habtamu Biruk, Wondwossen Nahom, Wood Elizabeth A
Hiwot Fana Specialized University Hospital, Harar, Ethiopia.
College of Science, University of Notre Dame, Notre Dame, IN, USA.
Support Care Cancer. 2025 Apr 26;33(5):419. doi: 10.1007/s00520-025-09475-w.
This study explores the psychosocial impact of breast cancer (BC) support groups on survivorship and treatment decision-making among women in Harar, Ethiopia. It examines the influence of cultural, social, and economic factors on treatment decisions and assesses the effectiveness of support groups in addressing these challenges.
A community-based case study used semi-structured, in-depth interviews and focus group discussions. Participants included women attending BC support groups and key informants, including healthcare providers, caregivers, and spiritual leaders. Data were collected at the Hiwot Fana Cancer Treatment Center and were analyzed thematically using an inductive approach to identify key themes.
The study highlighted significant barriers to timely BC treatment, including cultural stigma, financial constraints, reliance on alternative medicine, and limited healthcare infrastructure. Support groups were pivotal in improving emotional and psychological well-being, fostering a sense of community, and influencing treatment decision-making. Participants reported increased awareness, reduced stigma, and enhanced community advocacy.
BC support groups in Harar address critical gaps in cancer care by providing psychosocial support and mitigating barriers to treatment. These groups also serve as platforms for community education and advocacy, promoting early detection and modern treatment practices.
Support groups empower BC survivors by improving emotional resilience, facilitating informed treatment decisions, and fostering a sense of belonging. They also help reduce stigma and build supportive community networks essential for long-term survivorship in low-resource settings. Expanding access to such groups could significantly enhance cancer care outcomes in Ethiopia and similar contexts.
本研究探讨乳腺癌（BC）支持小组对埃塞俄比亚哈勒尔女性幸存者及治疗决策的心理社会影响。研究考察文化、社会和经济因素对治疗决策的影响，并评估支持小组应对这些挑战的有效性。
采用基于社区的案例研究，运用半结构化深度访谈和焦点小组讨论。参与者包括参加乳腺癌支持小组的女性以及关键信息提供者，如医疗服务提供者、护理人员和宗教领袖。数据在希沃特·法纳癌症治疗中心收集，并采用归纳法进行主题分析以确定关键主题。
该研究突出了乳腺癌及时治疗的重大障碍，包括文化耻辱感、经济限制、对替代医学的依赖以及有限的医疗基础设施。支持小组在改善情绪和心理健康、培养社区意识以及影响治疗决策方面发挥了关键作用。参与者报告称意识有所提高、耻辱感减轻且社区宣传得到加强。
哈勒尔的乳腺癌支持小组通过提供心理社会支持和减少治疗障碍，解决了癌症护理中的关键差距。这些小组还充当社区教育和宣传的平台，促进早期检测和现代治疗方法。
支持小组通过提高情绪恢复力、促进明智的治疗决策以及培养归属感，增强了乳腺癌幸存者的能力。它们还有助于减少耻辱感并建立支持性社区网络，这对于资源匮乏地区的长期生存至关重要。扩大此类小组的可及性可显著改善埃塞俄比亚及类似环境中的癌症护理结果。
