Table 2 List of themes and major codes
Themes | Major codes |
|---|---|
Social responsibility and cultural reciprocity norms | â–ª Respondents highlighted that caring for advanced breast cancer patients is mainly resulted from family and socio-cultural responsibility. â–ª Respondents also perceive caring for advanced breast cancer patients as a way of reciprocity. |
Lack of awareness and limited mobility options for caregivers | â–ª The social support that has to be provided by the family and acquaintances is marked as the major factor influencing the experiences of caregiving while dealing with patients of advanced breast cancer. |
Financial responsibility and strain experienced by caregivers | â–ª Relatives showed their concern over expense of treatment and inability to bear the expenses |
Myths of beauty and shyness influencing caregiving attitudes and decisions | â–ª Breast-related issues were not publicly shared with parents, daughters, or other relatives. â–ª People do not like to discuss such things publicly. â–ª Shyness and concept of veil hinders the communication of disease |
Stressful and emotional experience of caregivers | â–ª Reluctance to tell the real state of the disease to the patients â–ª The acceptance of disease by the patients and even for family member is a big dilemma â–ª Respondents directly and indirectly highlighted that males of the family have different and exacerbated pressure while giving care to women in their families with advanced breast cancer. â–ª Broken marital bond due to the burden of caregiving has also been highlighted while taking about how men deal with caregiving to advanced breast cancer patients. |
Impact of treatment perspectives shaped by surrounding social groups | â–ª Greater motivation to get treated if family members also have cancer â–ª Ignoring a clot in the breast region because no pain did not worsen. â–ª Knowledge about treatment options results in higher accessibility to treating patients |
Challenges in consulting with male physicians and the associated stigma | â–ª High demand for female healthcare workers â–ª Patient and caregivers feel more comfortable and secure with female physicians â–ª Stigmatization of breast cancer |
Role of religious beliefs in caring for advanced breast cancer patients and in managing stress | â–ª Closeness to God because of mental health stresses â–ª Coping mechanism for depression through religious prayer â–ª Respondents returned with responses of coping strategies. The responses mainly focus on religiousness to cope with the burden of care taking. |