Fear of Treatments Surpasses Demographic and Socioeconomic Factors in Affecting Patients With Breast Cancer in Urban South Africa.

Purpose: Breast cancer is the most common cause of cancer in women in South Africa, and often patients present late. There is little understanding of the psychosocial stresses affecting women with breast cancer in Africa.

Methods: A questionnaire was distributed to 263 patients with breast cancer at two sites (one government and one private facility) in Johannesburg.

The Effect of Access to Information on Beliefs Surrounding Breast Cancer in South Africa.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer affecting women in South Africa. There is little knowledge of beliefs to help identify key areas to improve support and education in this demographically and culturally diverse population. Women with a variety of demographic and socioeconomic characteristics accessing care for breast cancer were asked their agreement to statements of knowledge and beliefs about breast cancer.