A Qualitative Study Exploring the Experience of Women Seeking Care for Breast Cancer in Haiti

Objectives: This study elucidates factors that affect access to care and the journey from first symptoms to treatment for Haitian women diagnosed with late-stage breast cancer. This study identifies structural barriers that women with late-stage diagnosis faced. Identification of these barriers can inform interventions that facilitate prompt diagnosis and lead to improved outcomes. Methods: In this qualitative study, we selected participants from the Hôpital Universitaire de Mirebalais. We conducted and audio-recorded 18 interviews in Haitian Creole. Data were transcribed and translated into English. Qualitative data analysis examined multiple viewpoints using narrative analysis and grounded theory.

Results: The findings highlight the patients’ pelerinaj (journey): they visited several health facilities—expending considerable time, energy, and money—before being able to access appropriate breast cancer care; patients experienced delays in their care trajectory which resulted in a loss of income and autonomy. Nevertheless, patients reported receiving important inputs—accompaniment, hope, moral and economic support—from their caregivers who were family members or friends..

Conclusion: Without structural interventions to improve access to high-quality and affordable breast-cancer care, the lengthy, complex care-seeking pelerinaj for women with breast cancer in Haiti is likely to persist, with continued, dire consequences.