biostudies-literatureMwaka ADMedical Research Council&apos;s Newton FundCancer Research UKMedical Research CouncilSouth African National Department of HealthGlaxoSmithKline (GSK) Africa Non-Communicable Disease Open Labe041365https://www.ebi.ac.uk/biostudies/studies/S-EPMC7925866biostudies-literatureUnknown11(2)<h4>Objective</h4>We assessed the process of recognising abnormal bodily changes, interpretations and attributions, and help-seeking behaviour among community-based Ugandan women with possible symptoms of breast and cervical cancer, in order to inform health interventions aiming to promote timely detection and diagnosis of cancer.<h4>Design</h4>Qualitative in-depth interviews.<h4>Setting</h4>Rural and urban communities in Uganda.<h4>Participants</h4>Women who participated in the African Women Awareness of CANcer cross-sectional survey who disclosed potential breast and cervical cancer symptoms were eligible; recruitment was purposive. Interviews were conducted in women's homes, lasted between 40 and 90 min, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated to English. Thematic analyBMJ openSymptom appraisal, help-seeking and perceived barriers to healthcare seeking in Uganda: an exploratory study among women with potential symptoms of breast and cervical cancer.PMC792586602323385MC_PC_16098C8640/A23385Mwaka ADWalter FMMoodley JScott SWabinga HHarries JfalseSymptom appraisal, help-seeking and perceived barriers to healthcare seeking in Uganda: an exploratory study among women with potential symptoms of breast and cervical cancer.<h4>Objective</h4>We assessed the process of recognising abnormal bodily changes, interpretations and attributions, and help-seeking behaviour among community-based Ugandan women with possible symptoms of breast and cervical cancer, in order to inform health interventions aiming to promote timely detection and diagnosis of cancer.<h4>Design</h4>Qualitative in-depth interviews.<h4>Setting</h4>Rural and urban communities in Uganda.<h4>Participants</h4>Women who participated in the African Women Awareness of CANcer cross-sectional survey who disclosed potential breast and cervical cancer symptoms were eligible; recruitment was purposive. Interviews were conducted in women's homes, lasted between 40 and 90 min, were audio-recorded, transcribed verbatim and translated to English. Thematic analy2021-01-01T00:00:00Z2021 Feb2026-07-16T03:40:44.038Z2025-04-20T02:28:09.581ZS-EPMC79258663355024110.1136/bmjopen-2020-041365