Women's experiences along the ovarian cancer diagnostic pathway in Catalonia: A qualitative study.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Early detection of symptoms and prompt diagnosis of ovarian cancer are considered important avenues for improving patient experiences and outcomes.

Methods

This qualitative study used a phenomenological approach to perform patient interviews, collecting individual accounts of the prediagnostic phase in women diagnosed and treated for ovarian cancer in 2016-2017. Purposive sampling was used to obtain a diverse sample of 24 participants, while thematic content analysis was used to extract themes and subthemes from interview data.

Results

Three themes and nine subthemes were identified. The first theme was women's delay in recognizing symptoms and seeking care, with subthemes on the lack of knowledge about early signs of ovarian cancer, gender-related barriers

SUBMITTER: Vela-Vallespin C 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC9854297 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Feb

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature