Cancer Stigma and its Consequences and Influencing Factors in Iranian Society: A Qualitative Study

Stigma refers to a set of negative attitudes, beliefs, behaviors, and thoughts in dealing with a person who has a chronic disease or some health problems. Cancer is one of the diseases associated with stigma. Stigma causes harmful psycho-social effects for the affected person and family members and is considered an obstacle in disease screening and control programs. Accordingly, this study aimed to explore the nature of cancer stigma and its consequences and influencing factors in Iranian society. A total of 14 people including cancer patients, their families, and healthcare staff participated in this qualitative study. The participants were selected using purposive sampling and the data were collected through semi-structured interviews. The resulting data were analyzed using conventional content analysis and with MAXQDA software (version 10). The content analysis revealed four themes including cancer as a terrifying and pitiful disease, identity crisis/psychosocial disintegration, disease complexity, and public unawareness and community problems. There are many negative beliefs and stereotypes about cancer and affected people, which are exacerbated by public unawareness and lack of sufficient information about cancer, as well as lack of comprehensive support. These beliefs and stereotypes adversely affect the quality of life of affected people. Following the findings of the study, some interventions need to be implemented to reduce stigma, increase the quality of life, and improve the treatment process for cancer patients.