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Sociocultural Barriers Related to Late-Stage Presentation of Breast Cancer in Morocco

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Abstract

Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer affecting women globally and in Morocco, where more than one fourth of patients are diagnosed at advanced stages. This study aimed to investigate sociocultural barriers that contribute to delayed presentation and diagnosis of breast cancer among women in Marrakesh, Morocco. Qualitative interviews were conducted with 25 breast cancer patients who received care at the CHU Mohammed VI Hospital in Marrakesh to elicit barriers to diagnosis and treatment and ease of access to care. Interviews with breast cancer patients revealed several themes regarding structural and sociocultural barriers to initial diagnosis and treatment. Structural barriers included high treatment-associated costs for patients and their families, burden of transportation to central treatment centers, and limited access to appropriate health care resources. Sociocultural barriers included perceived attack on one’s identity associated with breast cancer diagnosis and treatment, influence of the local community, and ideas of faith, spirituality, and conception of death. Findings from this study can help identify areas for improved access and education of patients in order to improve breast cancer diagnostic and treatment efforts and enhance opportunities for early detection.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank the staff of Mohamed VI University Hospital for their generous assistance with patient recruitment and interviews, as well as Dr. Majdouline Obtel for her gracious help with translation.

Funding

Ann A. Soliman was funded in part by the University of Michigan International Institute, Department of Afroamerican and African Studies, Department of Anthropology, and Honors Program.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. University of Michigan Medical School, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Ann A. Soliman

  2. Medical Oncology, Mohamed VI University Hospital, Cadi Ayad University, Marrakesh, Morocco

    Mouna Khouchani

  3. Department of Anthropology, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI, USA

    Elisha P. Renne

Authors
  1. Ann A. Soliman
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  2. Mouna Khouchani
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  3. Elisha P. Renne
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Correspondence to Ann A. Soliman.

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All procedures performed in studies involving human participants were in accordance with the ethical standards of the institutional and/or national research committee and with the 1964 Helsinki declaration and its later amendments or comparable ethical standards.

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Soliman, A.A., Khouchani, M. & Renne, E.P. Sociocultural Barriers Related to Late-Stage Presentation of Breast Cancer in Morocco. J Canc Educ 34, 735–742 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1365-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1365-1

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