Breast cancer and Chemotherapy Resilience: Exploring the experiences of female survivors in Ghana

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Abstract Background: Chemotherapy is the most common treatment option for breast cancer in Ghana. Chemotherapy brings about unpleasant and traumatic experiences due to the effects of drugs on patients. Despite contexts specific variations, recent literature show improvement in breast cancer survival rates globally. Methods: This study aimed to explore factors that influenced resilience among women who completed chemotherapy for breast cancer in the Greater Accra Metropolis of Ghana. A qualitative exploratory descriptive design was adopted to study fifteen breast cancer survivors. A purposive sampling technique was used to select the participants. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted in English using a semi-structured interview guide. Data collection and analysis occurred concurrently. All interviews were audio-recorded with consent from the participants. Using a thematic and content analysis approach, all interviews were transcribed verbatim, coded and themes and subthemes generated. Results: Two major themes and eight subthemes were generated. Thus, 1. The Burden associated with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment; with subthemes; Physical, Psychological, Social, Financial burdens. 2. Personal traits; and the subthemes; Hope, Optimism, Self-esteem, Confidence.Conclusions: The study concluded that chemotherapy is associated with biopsychosocial pain and economic burden. In the absence of organized support systems, surviving breast cancer treatment is influenced by individuals’ personality and emotional orientation to the disease.

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