Breast Cancer Survivorship among Indian Women: An Overview

Abstract

Breast and cervical cancers are the two most common cancers among Indian women. Due to the improved diagnosis and treatment modalities, survival rates have been steadily increasing. Diagnosis and treatment of cancer bring many physical and psychological changes. However, the irony is that the treating team and family members tend to focus on the treatment of cancer. This review paper made a modest attempt to explore the availability of published literature on breast cancer survivorship health issues from an Indian perspective. It also aims to delineate the differences in the survivorship needs of rural and urban Indian women. There is a paucity of literature on breast cancer survivorship and its issues. The majority of the issues were related to physical problems secondary to cancer treatment. Softer issues such as information needs, counselling, body image alterations, changes in clothing, avoidance of society, mental distress, support, body image disturbance, and decreased sexual desires.