Barriers to Early Diagnosis of Breast Cancer amongst women in the Fiji Islands: A Qualitative Study.

Objective: To investigate the factors that may account for the delay in diagnosis and treatment in Fijian female breast cancer patients.
Methods: This study adopted a qualitative approach to gain an in-depth understanding of individual barriers and participants' experiences within the Fijian context. Utilising semi-structured interviews, the study interviewed breast cancer survivors, community women, healthcare professionals, and traditional healers.
Results: Two primary themes emerged from participants' narratives relating to barriers to early breast cancer detection: (1) individual-related factors and (2) healthcare system-related factors. Within these, five sub-themes were identified. For individual-related factors, these included: cultural & religious beliefs, social support, and awareness & misconception. For healthcare system factors, the sub-themes were: House of death and limited community accessibility to screening and awareness initiatives.
Conclusion: The results highlighted the need for targeted interventions that consider the importance of cultural beliefs, improve awareness, and foster trust in the healthcare system.