Assessment of the impact of breast cancer on women in Gombe State, Northeastern Nigeria

Abstract

Objective: The aim of the study is to assess the physical, financial, emotional and social impact of breast cancer on women in North east Nigeria.Methods: A qualitative transcendental phenomenological study design was adopted, using face-to face unstructured interview to collect data from 22 respondents who were recruited via purposive non-probability sampling technique. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim and further analyzed using thematic analysis method into themes and sub-themes.Results: The result revealed excruciating pains that does not abate completely as the main physical impact, expensive cost of treatment as the major financial impact and crying as the major emotional impact of breast cancer on women. However, been diagnosed with breast cancer had no any consequences on participants’ relationship with spouse or family members.Conclusion: Breast cancer causes pain, makes women to cry and the treatment is very expensive but it does not cause relationship problems. There is therefore the need for Government and Non-governmental policies to be geared towards supporting women with breast cancer to overcome these challenges.