“I believe I can beat this again.” These are the words of Nigerian Didi, who feared her cancer would return – but considered herself a survivor.
Her attitude is becoming more common in all places as more people live after being diagnosed with cancer. Although the population is growing and aging, and the incidence of cancer is growingadditionally it is true that the probability survival is larger than before.
It is significant to discover as a survivor and never as a “victim.” Studies show that it’s related to higher health outcomes.
Didi’s optimism is encouraging whenever you consider the challenges women like her face: a weak healthcare system, high treatment costs, cancer stigma, and a deeply patriarchal society that increases women’s vulnerability to cancer.
In 2020 Nigeria reported an estimated 124,815 recent cases of cancer and 78,899 cancer deaths, mostly from breast, cervical and prostate cancers. The country is designed experience growth cancer incidence by 2040.
The growing population of people that have had cancer makes it vital to grasp their experiences. What is it prefer to be a cancer survivor in Nigeria? Does identifying as a survivor reasonably than a victim make a difference? Can the standard of lifetime of survivors be improved?
These are the questions that my colleagues and I, geriatric and public health researchers, had in mind once we conducted test through which Didi took part.
Breast Cancer Survivors
In our study of what it means to be a female cancer survivor in Nigeria, we used a qualitative descriptive research approach. We interviewed 30 women in Abuja who had cancer (29 were diagnosed with breast cancer and one with skin cancer). They were aged 29 to 55; 16 were married; 19 had children; 29 had a tertiary education.
The women within the study were recruited through a partnership with a company that gives psychosocial support to cancer survivors, meaning they felt comfortable enough to share their experiences.
We analyzed their statements to discover themes.
Three key findings emerged:
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Cancer may be stigmatizing
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women gave intending to their experiences in other ways
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Identifying as a cancer survivor may be empowering.
Nigerian women reported experiencing negative attitudes from others. One said, “I was ridiculed… made fun of… embarrassed.” Another said she didn’t get her job back after cancer treatment ended. She also said her husband treated her unkindly after a mastectomy. Stigma may end up in social isolation, lack of livelihood and fear of searching for help.
All of the participants identified as survivors, but for various reasons. They mentioned strength, hope, self-esteem, a positive outlook on life, and maintaining a way of control. For some, this identity was provided by religious faith. One said that seeing herself as a survivor allowed her to stick to treatment. Care and support contributed to this identity for some:
Since I joined (the support group), I see myself as a cancer survivor. I can do it regardless of what, I do know I can.
Women shared their thoughts concerning the future and looking out beyond their cancer diagnosis. Many showed great resilience as their responses reflected hope for a brighter future beyond cancer.
Overall, although some women within the study spoke of their negative experiences, they reported that identifying as cancer survivors gave them a positive outlook. This was consistent with other research which suggests that identifying as a cancer survivor may be empowering.
These characteristics are particularly salient in Nigeria, where some people diagnosed with cancer may view it as a death sentence or refuse chemotherapy and surgery because they imagine these treatments could kill them.
Cancer is incredibly disruptive: it involves treatment and changes to relationships, careers, and lifestyles. It can have a huge effect on future goals. How people decide to make sense of it’s the difference between being a “survivor” and a “victim.”
Choosing to discover as a cancer survivor in Nigeria means selecting to take a voice or an lively role. This can empower an individual and make them more resilient.
However, there continues to be a necessity for Nigeria to support and reduce the burden of cancer through national plan.