gms | German Medical Science

Background/research question: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Germany. However, little is known about the utilization of aftercare services, particularly among women with a migration background. Therefore, we aim to investigate how breast cancer aftercare is used and perceived by women of Turkish origin (the largest group of migrant women in Germany) and explore ways to improve aftercare services.

Methods: We conducted six interviews (five in Turkish and one in German) and one focus group (in Turkish) with women of Turkish origin who had experiences with breast cancer aftercare. Audio recordings were auto-transcribed, manually corrected by two researchers, and translated using secure translation software. The translations were verified for accuracy by two researchers, one of whom is a native Turkish speaker. Two researchers coded the transcripts using both inductive and deductive codes and conducted a thematic analysis according to Braun and Clarke.

Results: While participants’ experiences with breast cancer aftercare varied, a key theme across interviews and the focus group was the limited access to information on available aftercare procedures and programs. Women who immigrated later in life faced significant challenges accessing this information, particularly due to language barriers, potentially resulting in delayed or partial participation in aftercare. Even a participant born in Germany, without language barriers, reported difficulties accessing information due to insufficient guidance from healthcare providers. To overcome these challenges, women relied on their informal networks. Another important concern, raised by the focus group participants, was the scarcity of psychosocial support provided in the Turkish language.

Conclusion: The interview and focus group results indicate that accessing reliable information about aftercare programs and benefits in Germany may require more active support from healthcare providers, particularly due to language barriers. Self-help groups play a crucial role in disseminating information and encouraging participation. Providing breast cancer aftercare information in Turkish could be a potential facilitator of participation for this population. Additionally, a focus group with women born and raised in Germany, both with and without a migrant background, is planned to explore potential barriers to breast cancer aftercare beyond those faced by first-generation immigrants.

Competing interests: none