ArticleBMC women's health2023
To disclose or not to disclose: an ethnographic exploration of factors contributing to the (non) disclosure of Ghanaian women's breast cancer diagnosis to social networks.
Article in BMC women's health, 2023. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 4 papers.
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Who cites it
4 citing papers in PubMed, 4 citations in OpenAlex.
- Disclosure, social support, and meaning-based coping among Omani mothers living with breast cancer: a phenomenological qualitative study.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026Article
- Coping with breast cancer in Ghana: a qualitative study of women's lived experiences following breast cancer diagnosis.BMC cancer · 2026Article
- Article
- Mental health and quality of life following breast cancer diagnosis in patients seen at a tertiary care hospital in Nairobi, Kenya: A qualitative study.Global mental health (Cambridge, England) · 2024Article
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Authors and funding
5 authors at 3 institutions in 1 country.
Funding
No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.
Abstract
backgroundAlthough there may be theoretical support linking positive health outcomes with cancer disclosure to social networks, women from contexts such as Ghana where cancer is not openly talked about may have concerns around breast cancer disclosure. Women may not be able to share their experiences about their diagnosis, which may prevent them from receiving support. This study aimed to obtain the views of Ghanaian women diagnosed with breast cancer about factors contributing to (non) disclosure.
methodsThis study is based on secondary findings from an ethnographic study that employed participant observation and semi-structured face to face interviews. The study was conducted at a breast clinic in a Teaching Hospital in southern Ghana. 16 women diagnosed with breast cancer (up to stage 3); five relatives nominated by these women and ten healthcare professionals (HCPs) participated in the study. Factors contributing to breast cancer (non) disclosure were explored. Data were analysed using a thematic approach.
resultsThe analysis indicated that most of the women and family members were very reticent about breast cancer disclosure and were secretive with distant relatives and wider social networks. Whilst remaining silent about their cancer diagnosis helped women protect their identities, prevented spiritual attack, and bad advice, the need for emotional and financial support for cancer treatment triggered disclosure to close family, friends, and pastors. Some women were discouraged from persevering with conventional treatment following disclosure to their close relatives.
conclusionsBreast cancer stigma and fears around disclosure hindered women from disclosing to individuals in their social networks. Women disclosed to their close relatives for support, but this was not always safe. Health care professionals are well placed to explore women's concerns and facilitate disclosure within safe spaces to enhance engagement with breast cancer care services.
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