The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang

Breast cancer is a major cause of death and is the most common type of cancer among Malaysian women, accounting for more than 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in this population. In 2006, the National Cancer Registry recorded 3,525 cases of female breast cancer in Peninsular Malaysia. In addition...

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Main Author: PSM
Other Authors: Yen, Siew Hwa
Format: Journal
Published: Kajian Malaysia (Journal of Malaysian Studies), Universiti Sains Malaysia 2011
Subjects:
Online Access:http://www.myjurnal.my/public/article-view.php?id=15519
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spelling oai:www.myjurnal.my:155192018-09-20T00:00:00Z The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang PSM History Breast cancer is a major cause of death and is the most common type of cancer among Malaysian women, accounting for more than 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in this population. In 2006, the National Cancer Registry recorded 3,525 cases of female breast cancer in Peninsular Malaysia. In addition to facing uncertainties, anxieties, possible disabilities and the fear of death, some breast cancer patients must deal with increased treatment-related expenses, loss of employment and consequent loss or reduction of income. This study examined the socioeconomic impact of breast cancer on breast cancer patients in Penang, Malaysia. The study involved 60 respondents, including 20 patients undergoing treatment at private hospitals and 40 patients undergoing treatment at public hospitals. Data were collected using guided interviews, which were later quantified for further analyses. Our study showed that all of the respondents who were working prior to their diagnosis were adversely affected. The most seriously affected patients were those who had to stop working and consequently lost 100% of their incomes. Another group of patients suffered pay cuts because they had to limit their working hours or opted to work part-time. Most of the adversely affected cases were from lower income groups and were either self-employed or working in the private sector. The financial burdens resulting from extra medical and non-medical expenses and lost income caused financial difficulty for some respondents. Despite these adverse economic impacts, the respondents appeared to have coped relatively well socially. They also claimed to have adequate support from family and friends. Kajian Malaysia (Journal of Malaysian Studies), Universiti Sains Malaysia Yen, Siew Hwa 2011-00-00 Journal application/pdf 15519 www.myjurnal.my/filebank/published_article/10034Art6_KM29-2.pdf www.myjurnal.my/public/article-view.php?id=15519
repository_type Digital Repository
institution_category Local Institution
institution MyJournal
building MyJournal Repository
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topic History
spellingShingle History
PSM
The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang
description Breast cancer is a major cause of death and is the most common type of cancer among Malaysian women, accounting for more than 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in this population. In 2006, the National Cancer Registry recorded 3,525 cases of female breast cancer in Peninsular Malaysia. In addition to facing uncertainties, anxieties, possible disabilities and the fear of death, some breast cancer patients must deal with increased treatment-related expenses, loss of employment and consequent loss or reduction of income. This study examined the socioeconomic impact of breast cancer on breast cancer patients in Penang, Malaysia. The study involved 60 respondents, including 20 patients undergoing treatment at private hospitals and 40 patients undergoing treatment at public hospitals. Data were collected using guided interviews, which were later quantified for further analyses. Our study showed that all of the respondents who were working prior to their diagnosis were adversely affected. The most seriously affected patients were those who had to stop working and consequently lost 100% of their incomes. Another group of patients suffered pay cuts because they had to limit their working hours or opted to work part-time. Most of the adversely affected cases were from lower income groups and were either self-employed or working in the private sector. The financial burdens resulting from extra medical and non-medical expenses and lost income caused financial difficulty for some respondents. Despite these adverse economic impacts, the respondents appeared to have coped relatively well socially. They also claimed to have adequate support from family and friends.
author2 Yen, Siew Hwa
author_facet Yen, Siew Hwa
PSM
format Journal
author PSM
author_sort PSM
title The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang
title_short The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang
title_full The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang
title_fullStr The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang
title_full_unstemmed The socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in Penang
title_sort socio-economic impact on breast cancer patients in penang
publisher Kajian Malaysia (Journal of Malaysian Studies), Universiti Sains Malaysia
publishDate 2011
url http://www.myjurnal.my/public/article-view.php?id=15519
first_indexed 2018-09-20T08:20:11Z
last_indexed 2018-09-20T08:20:11Z
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