Patient Perspectives on Impact of Weight and Weight Stigma on Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment: A Qualitative Study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Higher weight individuals report experiencing weight-based stigma in the healthcare setting; within the cancer continuum, the most robust evidence exists for cancer screening. More research is needed to understand whether and how higher weight patients experience weight stigma during cancer treatment.

Methods

We conducted semi-structured interviews with 15 breast and 15 cervical cancer survivors diagnosed 2017-2019 in Iowa who had a pre-diagnosis body mass index of 30+ kg/m² calculated from their driver's license height and weight. Interviews focused on whether individuals perceived being treated differently because of their weight in daily life, in healthcare, or during cancer treatment. Data were coded using a combination of inductive and deductive ap

SUBMITTER: Sorensen JL 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC11924286 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Mar

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature