Understanding the psychosocial needs of breast cancer survivors in the United Arab Emirates: a qualitative study

Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in the United Arab Emirates; yet there is little known about the psychosocial concerns of the survivors. Research shows that meeting the psychosocial needs significantly contributes to cancer survivor’s wellbeing and potentially elevates the quality of the patient’s life. Therefore the study aims to understand the psychosocial needs of breast cancer survivors through a qualitative approach. Methods: A qualitative study was conducted using semi structured in-depth interviews among ten breast cancer survivors. The recorded texts were coded and salient themes were generated using an inductive approach. Thematic analysis of the interviews was done observing for meaning, repeating phrases and keywords. Results: Analysis yielded three major themes which included survivors’ living experience with breast cancer, concerns of breast cancer survivors and the survivors’ expectations of healthcare delivery or support needed. The breast cancer survivors had psychosocial concerns that are not well understood and addressed by the healthcare. The experiences, concerns and expectations differ from individuals and through the continuum of survivorship. Conclusion: Understanding the unmet psychosocial concerns of the cancer survivors is essential to design a structured survivorship program and offer timely and effective interventions. This would improve survivorship care in the country and offers opportunities to redesign cancer services towards patient-centred care