A Descriptive Study of Social Support among Women with Breast Cancer : Focused on Their Preoperative States

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to explore the meaning of social support among women with breast cancer, focused on their preoperative states. A descriptive study with interview methods was designed. Sixteen Japanese women who were diagnosed with breast cancer and hospitalized to have their breast surgeries participated in the study. The women were interviewed by semi-structured questions ; then, thematic interpretive analysis was performed. The results indicated that the participants explained support as “kizukai”, “shinpai”, and “kokoro no sasae”. Positive and negative sides of social support were described. Regarding the positive side of social support, there were two directions : 1) from others to the participants and 2) from the participants to others. Also, They informed the negative side of social support, such as the lack of help. They identified family members, friends, relatives, and co-workers as their network. As the best support providers, married women stated their spouses, and single women expressed their parents. These results were discussed with the studies of social support among women with breast cancer that conducted in Western cultures. It was suggested that medical professionals should provide care for not only women with breast cancer but also their network persons.