Psychological concerns of Indian women with breast cancer in different national contexts: a systematic review and mixed-methods synthesis

Abstract

BackgroundBreast cancer is becoming the most common cancer among women of Indian origin. However, little is known about the psychological impact of the disease and its treatment among this population.AimTo improve understanding of psychological symptoms among Indian women with breast cancer.DesignThis is a systematic literature review and critical interpretive synthesis. Medical Subject Headings(MeSH) terms and keywords for breast cancer, psychological symptoms and treatment were used to search databases from inception to 7 May 2019. The reference lists of the included articles were examined. Search results were screened against the inclusion criteria, data were extracted, and quality was appraised by two independent researchers with recourse to a third. Narrative (quantitative) and thematic qualitative syntheses were applied, followed by critical interpretive synthesis.Data sourcesProQuest, MEDLINE, Ovid EMBASE, EBSCO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature, and PsycINFO.Results18 of 763 studies from India or Canada were included (13 quantitative, 5 qualitative). Critical interpretive synthesis found psychological concerns similar to ‘Western’ women, but were framed by the common culture of Indian women in either country. Family structure, religion and community appear to protect against and cause distress in relation to the expected core role of being a wife and a mother and the male dominance in decision making. Stigma was amplified by poor knowledge about the nature of cancer. Migrant Indian women had additional problems due to language barriers.ConclusionsIndian women with breast cancer living in India and Canada experience psychological morbidities which profoundly affect their role in their family and the wider community. Culturally congruent care, including accessible communication and information, may help prevent and alleviate distressing symptoms whether in India or in a migrant community.