- Title
- Decision-Making Experiences Related to Mastectomy: A Descriptive Qualitative Study
- Creator
- Liu, Jing; Chan, Sally Wai-Chi; Guo, Dongmei; Lin, Qin; Hunter, Sharyn; Zhu, Jiemin; Lee, Regina Lai Tong
- Relation
- Journal of Advanced Nursing Vol. 80, Issue 5, p. 1967-1983
- Publisher Link
- http://dx.doi.org/10.1111/jan.15948
- Publisher
- Wiley-Blackwell
- Resource Type
- journal article
- Date
- 2024
- Description
- Aim: To obtain an in-depth understanding of women’s decision-making experiences related to mastectomy. Design: A descriptive qualitative interview study. Methods: Individual semi-structured interviews were conducted with 27 Chinese women with breast cancer who underwent mastectomy at two tertiary hospitals in mainland China. Interviews were conducted in Mandarin. Data were analysed using inductive content analysis. Results: Mean age of participants was 48 years (range 31-70). Most participants had low education levels and low monthly family income, had a partner and health insurance, did not undergo reconstructive surgery, and were diagnosed with early breast cancer. Six categories related to decision-making emerged: 1) Emotional response to the diagnosis; 2) Information seeking; 3) Beliefs about mastectomy and the breast, 4) Important others; 5) Women’s participation in decision-making, and 6) Post-decision reflection. The results indicated that emotions experienced after diagnosis impact the decision-making process. Financial considerations, doctors’ recommendations, family preferences, and personal beliefs about mastectomy and the breast influenced women to undergo mastectomy. Most participants participated in the decision-making process and indicated no regret having a mastectomy, whilst a few were dissatisfied with the decision-making process due to being inadequately informed about adjuvant therapies needed after a mastectomy. Participants did not mention the roles of nurses in their decision-making experiences for mastectomy. Conclusions: This study adds to the limited evidence about women’s decision-making experiences for mastectomy from a Chinese perspective, which is important given the continuing high prevalence of mastectomy in many regions. Future research from other countries and ethnic groups is recommended for diverse perspectives. Impact: The findings of this study are useful for nurses and other professionals in multidisciplinary teams to support women with breast cancer when they make treatment decisions. The findings could inform future decision support interventions and may be relevant to women living in similar social contexts to those in mainland China. Reporting Method: The study was reported following the Standards for Reporting Qualitative Research checklist. Patient or Public Contribution: No patient or public contribution.
- Subject
- breast cancer; Chinese women; decision-making; mastectomy; nursing; qualitative interview; SDG 3; SDG 16; Sustainable Development Goals
- Identifier
- http://hdl.handle.net/1959.13/1505741
- Identifier
- uon:55723
- Identifier
- ISSN:0309-2402
- Rights
- x
- Language
- eng
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