Gaps in awareness, misconceptions, and cultural barriers to breast cancer care: community and stakeholder perspectives from Southern Ethiopia: a qualitative study.

Authors

Bargude Balta

Published in

Cancer treatment and research communications. Volume 48. Pages 101322. Jul 15, 2026. Epub Jul 15, 2026.

Abstract

Breast cancer is a major global public health concern, with Ethiopia facing distinctive barriers that hinder timely care. Challenges include limited access to healthcare, inadequate information, infrastructural gaps, and socioeconomic constraints, all contributing to delayed diagnosis and poor outcomes. This study aimed to explore gaps in awareness, misconceptions, and cultural barriers influencing breast cancer care in Hawassa City, Ethiopia.
A descriptive qualitative study grounded in a phenomenological framework was conducted from January 1-30, 2023. Purposive sampling recruited breast cancer patients, healthcare professionals, community health workers, administrators, religious leaders, and media representatives. Data were collected through in-depth interviews and focus group discussions using semi-structured guides. Sessions were audio-recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Reflexive thematic analysis, combining inductive and deductive coding, was undertaken using ATLAS.ti. Data collection continued until thematic saturation was reached.
Seven major barriers to breast cancer care were identified: limited awareness and misconceptions; cultural, religious, and modesty-related influences; social stigma and discrimination; fear of diagnosis, mastectomy, and death; perceptions of cancer as incurable or a curse; financial and structural challenges, particularly lack of radiotherapy; and insufficient media and community engagement. These interconnected barriers significantly delay diagnosis and treatment.
Breast cancer care in this setting is impeded by socio-cultural, economic, and systemic challenges. Addressing these requires strong advocacy, targeted awareness campaigns, integration of cancer services into primary healthcare, and capacity building. Expanding access to diagnostics, treatments, and radiotherapy, supported by adequate funding and policy commitment, is essential to improving timely diagnosis and survival outcomes.

PMID:
42456281
Bibliographic data and abstract were imported from PubMed on 16 Jul 2026.

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