Understanding the delays in diagnosis of breast cancer in India using blogs and YouTube videos

Abstract

Background: Globally, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and is the second leading cause of cancer-related deaths. Breast cancer-related mortality has surged among Indian women, as a significant number of women present at an advanced stage of breast cancer. Early detection has been linked with a higher chance of survival and improved quality of life. This research aimed to assess breast cancer survivor stories of Indian women to identify: (i) why Indian women were diagnosed at an advanced stage of breast cancer, (ii) the barriers that contributed to their delayed diagnosis, and (iii) the level of awareness and perceptions towards breast cancer.

Methods: A qualitative approach using digital web-based methods was used. Existing blogs and YouTube videos were used as secondary data sources. “Breast cancer survivor blogs by Indian women” were searched on Google to identify blogs; and “Breast cancer survivor stories by Indian women” and “Interviews of breast cancer survivors among Indian women” were searched on YouTube to identify videos. 5 blogs and 12 YouTube videos including breast cancer survivor stories of Indian women were analysed using inductive thematic analysis.

Results: A total of 17 Indian breast cancer survivors aged 25–50 were included in this study. Four main themes and seven sub-themes emerged: Delay in recognising or responding to symptoms (sub-themes: lack of knowledge, misinterpretation of symptoms and procrastination), Initial medical misjudgement (sub-themes: dismissal of symptoms by doctors, false reassurance from medical tests), socio-cultural factors (sub-themes: family responsibilities and career responsibilities), and emotional and psychological factors.

Conclusion: This study highlights the complex barriers that contributed to delayed breast cancer diagnosis among Indian breast cancer survivors, through their own personal accounts. These findings highlight the need for enhanced public health education about breast cancer, improved healthcare professional training, and culturally sensitive support to improve early detection, which will ultimately reduce breast cancer mortality and improve the quality of life for Indian women.