Perception of care among Syrian women with breast cancer under chemotherapy

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and the second leading cause of cancer related deaths in women worldwide. This study was conducted to explore perception of care among Syrian women with breast cancer. In a qualitative research, we purposively selected 17 participants consisting of women with breast cancer (N= 11) and their husbands (N= 3) as well as2 nurses and a physician in Nuclear Medicine Center in Latakia city between June and September 2010. Using semi-structured interviews, we collected the data. Analysis the transcripts was guided by qualitative content analysis. We found three care categories consisting of "care in a painful environment", "inadequate education", and "need for a lot of special care". According to our findings, understanding the women’s experiences concerning the care would be a way for recognizing and resolving potential stressor factors of the care process. It seems solving these factors could improve the women’s quality of life.