Evidence map›Paper›PMID 38609905›Full record

ArticleBMC public health2024

Experiences of family caregivers in dealing with cases of advanced breast cancer: a qualitative study of the sociocultural context in Punjab, Pakistan.

Sadia Jabeen, Rubeena Zakar, Muhammad Zakria Zakar, Florian Fischer

Open access · goldAbstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC public health, 2024. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 15 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
15citing papers in PubMed
15.8field-weighted citation impact, top 1% of its field
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

15 citing papers in PubMed, 14 citations in OpenAlex.

  1. Quality of Life and Symptoms of Anxiety and Depression Among Patients With Cancer: Insights From a Tertiary Care Hospital.Medical science monitor : international medical journal of experimental and clinical research · 2026
    Article
  2. Technology-based applications for relatives and caregivers of people with advanced breast cancer-a scoping review.Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer · 2026
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4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

4 authors at 4 institutions in 2 countries.

Sadia JabeenDepartment of Sociology, Virtual University of Pakistan, Lahore, Pakistan.
Rubeena ZakarInstitute of Social and Cultural Studies, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan.
Muhammad Zakria ZakarUniversity of Poonch, Rawalakot, Azad Jammu and Kashmir, Pakistan.
Florian FischerInstitute of Public Health, Charité- Universitätsmedizin Berlin Institute of Public Health, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany. florian.fischer1@charite.de.
Berlin Institute of Health at Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin · DEUniversity of Azad Jammu and Kashmir · PKUniversity of the Punjab · PKVirtual University of Pakistan · PK

Funding

No grant is acknowledged in the PubMed record.

6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPatients with advanced breast cancer require consistent help and support from family caregivers. These caregivers often endure financial burdens and psychological stress, with their experiences significantly influenced by sociocultural factors. This study aims to explore the experiences of family caregivers of advanced breast cancer patients in Punjab province, Pakistan.

methodsData was collected through in-depth interviews with fifteen family caregivers of advanced breast cancer patients in three major cities of Punjab, Pakistan. Caregivers, who had been in close contact with the patient for the last two years, were purposively sampled from five major hospitals. The data was analyzed using thematic analysis.

resultsThe study revealed that the experiences of family caregivers are deeply rooted in the sociocultural context. Key themes identified include social responsibility and cultural reciprocity norms; limited awareness and mobility options for caregivers; financial responsibility and strain; impacts of beauty myths and shyness on caregiving attitudes and decisions; the stressful and emotional nature of caregiving; treatment perspectives influenced by social groups; challenges in consulting male physicians and associated stigma; the role of religious beliefs in caregiving; and stress management, with religion often being a coping mechanism. These factors can contribute to delayed treatment decisions for patients.

conclusionsFamily caregivers are crucial in facilitating timely treatment decisions for advanced breast cancer patients in the Pakistani context. To minimize treatment delays and alleviate caregiver stress, addressing sociocultural barriers in care-seeking is essential. A tailored approach, considering sociocultural and religious factors, is imperative for the management and early diagnosis of breast cancer, necessitating appropriate policymaking and implementation.

Indexed as

Breast NeoplasmsCaregiversCaregiver BurdenHumansMalePakistanQualitative ResearchBreast cancerCareCoping strategiesFamily caregiversSociocultural factors

Identifiers

PMID38609905
PMCPMC11015732
OpenAlexW4394769676

What OpenQuestion holds

Textmetadata
LicenceCC BY
Read underepoch 390

Registered trials

None linked

Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.