Positive Psychological adaptation among breast cancer survivors in Singapore and India

Abstract

The significant advances made in the diagnosis, treatment and patient management has led to a steady reduction in the overall mortality rate from cancer over the past several decades (Greenlee, 2000). As the number of cancer survivors has grown, concern for the long-term adaptation of this population, including the impact of the disease on their family, social, sexual and psychological adjustment has increasingly gained importance (Kornblith, 1998; Wyatt and Kurtz, 1995; Wyatt and Friedman, 1996). Understanding, the nature of illness and how different people respond to physical distress requires a consideration of the cultural context in which illness takes place. Most of the research on the psychosocial adaptation to breast cancer has been done on western population; research on Asian women has been scarce. The present study attempts to understand the lived experience of having survived breast cancer among Chinese women in Singapore and Indian women in India (Mumbai). This study used a qualitative research approach and a total of fifty interviews; twenty-five interviews each in Singapore and India were conducted using the Cognitive Adaptation framework. The present study will provide a foundation for future research in this area. It will also serve as a building block for future intervention research that can promote health and positive adaptation among breast cancer survivors in Singapore and India (Mumbai).