ENABLING FACTORS RELATING TO PATTERNS FOR SEARCHING TREATMENTS AMONG PATIENTS WITH BREAST CANCER

Abstract

https://doi.org/10.32827/ijphcs.5.6.156

Background: Gresik Regency became one of the regions with the highest number of breast cancer sufferers, namely 189 patients. In 2015-2017, patients from Sangkapura Subdistrict numbered 12 people with 66.7% at an advanced stage (data from Ibnu Sina Hospital). Patients with breast cancer in Sangkapura tended to ignore the lump in the breast because the lump was not accompanied by pain so that it was considered a normal lump that was not dangerous. Lack of family support to get medical health services and cost limitations caused sufferers to do their own treatment or alternative medicine.

Materials and Methods: This study used qualitative methods with a phenomenological approach. The number of samples was eight people which obtained through purposive sampling technique. Data were collected by in-depth interviews and then analyzed by Interpretative Phenomenology Analysis (IPA).

Result: Some informants tended to self-treat their disease with soursop leaf decoction because of limited costs, while the family support that should be given to informants was cost, emotional support, as well as information about breast cancer treatment that was both medical and non-medical. However, limited costs and lack of family support caused informants not to undergo medical treatment.

Conclusion: Informants were not able to access medical health services so there was a need to socialize the use of BPJS, for sick and healthy Sangkapura communities, as well as to increase knowledge by families so that they can assist in making correct decisions regarding breast cancer.

Keywords: Enabling factors, treatment searching patterns, breast cancer