Health care experiences among women diagnosed with gestational breast cancer
Corresponding Author
K. Hammarberg RN, BSc, PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
Correspondence
Karin Hammarberg, Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorE. Sullivan MBBS, FAFPHM, MPH, MMed, MD
Professor of Public Health
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorN. Javid RM, MSci Med (Reproductive Health)
Research Coordinator
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorG. Duncombe MBBS, FRANZCOG, CMFM
Associate Professor
Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorL. Halliday PhD, MPH, BSc (Hons)
Assistant Director of Engagement
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorF. Boyle MBBS, FRACP, PhD
Director
Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Mater Hospital North Sydney, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorC. Saunders MBBS, FRCS, FRACS
Professor
School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorA. Ives Dip App Sc, MSc, PhD
Research Fellow
Cancer Palliative Care Research and Evaluation Unit, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJ.E. Dickinson MBBS, MD, FRANZCOG, DDU, CMFM
Associate Professor
School of Women's and Infants’ Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Fisher BSc (Hons), PhD, MAPS
Director
Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
Search for more papers by this authorCorresponding Author
K. Hammarberg RN, BSc, PhD
Senior Research Fellow
Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
Correspondence
Karin Hammarberg, Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia.
Email: [email protected]
Search for more papers by this authorE. Sullivan MBBS, FAFPHM, MPH, MMed, MD
Professor of Public Health
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorN. Javid RM, MSci Med (Reproductive Health)
Research Coordinator
Faculty of Health, University of Technology Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorG. Duncombe MBBS, FRANZCOG, CMFM
Associate Professor
Exosome Biology Laboratory, Centre for Clinical Diagnostics, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Centre for Clinical Research, Royal Brisbane and Women's Hospital, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Qld, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorL. Halliday PhD, MPH, BSc (Hons)
Assistant Director of Engagement
Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Macquarie University, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorF. Boyle MBBS, FRACP, PhD
Director
Patricia Ritchie Centre for Cancer Care and Research, Mater Hospital North Sydney, North Sydney, NSW, Australia
University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorC. Saunders MBBS, FRCS, FRACS
Professor
School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorA. Ives Dip App Sc, MSc, PhD
Research Fellow
Cancer Palliative Care Research and Evaluation Unit, School of Surgery, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJ.E. Dickinson MBBS, MD, FRANZCOG, DDU, CMFM
Associate Professor
School of Women's and Infants’ Health, The University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
Search for more papers by this authorJ. Fisher BSc (Hons), PhD, MAPS
Director
Jean Hailes Research Unit, School of Public Health and Preventive Medicine, Monash University, Melbourne, Vic., Australia
Search for more papers by this authorFunding information
This study was funded by National Breast Cancer Foundation (NBCF)
Abstract
Gestational breast cancer (GBC) presents many challenges for women and the clinicians who care for them. The aim of this study was to explore the health care experiences of women diagnosed with GBC to inform and improve clinical care of women in this predicament. Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 17 women who had been diagnosed with GBC in the previous 5 years. The overarching themes for perceived quality of care were “communication” and “comprehensive care.” “Communication” had two sub themes: “interdisciplinary communication” (the way health professionals from different disciplines communicated with each other about the management of the woman's care) and “patient communication” (how they communicated this to the woman). The “comprehensive care” theme incorporated three sub themes: “the spirit” (psychological care); “the mind” (information provision); and “the body” (management of treatment side effects). Women's own accounts of positive and negative experiences of GBC care provide unique and specific insights which improve understanding of their concerns and needs. The findings can inform advances in quality and efficacy of clinical care; offer guidance for obstetricians, oncologists and allied health professionals about the needs of women diagnosed with GBC and how care can be optimised; and inform the development of resources to assist women and their families.
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