Religious, Cultural, and Social Beliefs of Iranian Rural Women about Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Study

Background: The purpose of this study was to examine religious, cultural, andsocial beliefs of healthy women about breast cancer in rural settings in Iran.Methods: In the present study, 16 in-depth interviews with health care leaders,social and religious experts and 11 focus group discussions were conducted with79 women in the rural areas near the capital city of Tehran, Iran. Grounded theorymodel was used to analyze the data.Results: Some women believed that religious customs and rituals, such aspraying, taking a vow, or going on a pilgrimage to a holy place, might have healingeffects if performed in addition to seeking medical care medical care. Manybelieved that God intervenes in the entire course of any illness, from occurrence tocure. Although few had fatalistic views toward cancer, the majority believed thatpatients could try to change their destiny.With respect to the relationship betweenmoral behavior and disease, 4 types of opinions were identified; good peoplesuffer, evil people get punished, evil people do not suffer, and everything has ascientific explanation. Participants believed that self-perception, their husbands,deficiencies in the health care system, and financial concerns influence breastcancer outcome.Conclusions: Our study showed that many participants were not aware of anyavailable support in the healthcare system. They generally believed in the healingeffect of prayers, only when it is sought in parallel with medical care.

Religious, Cultural, and Social Beliefs of Iranian Rural Women about Breast Cancer: A Qualitative Study Keywords:

Culture , religion , qualitative research , community surveys , health care system