Cancer Perceptions of South African Mothers and Daughters: Implications for Health Promotion Programs

Abstract

Cancer is one of the leading causes of death worldwide. A major reason why women do not obtain cancer screening procedures relates to the high levels of fear associated with cancer. In this study, we explored South African mothers’ and daughters’ reaction to the word “cancer” specifically. The study sample included 157 randomly selected mother and adolescent daughter pairs from an urban community in Cape Town, South Africa. Mothers and their adolescent daughters had very similar responses to the term “cancer.” We found that most South African mothers and daughters had a fear-based attitude toward the illness. When we asked mothers what they immediately thought of upon hearing “cancer,” a majority of women (69%) thought of death, and another 43% thought of suffering and the detrimental consequences of the illness. Similarly, 50% of the daughters also thought of death, and 42% thought of the detrimental aspects of cancer. Fatalistic attitudes and negative emotional reactions have important implications in cancer prevention and need to be addressed within a public health context.

This research was approved by the Internal Review Board of MetroHealth Medical Center, Cleveland, Ohio, and Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, Ohio (#IRB05-00515), as well as the Department of Education, University of the Western Cape, South Africa.

The authors thank the South African field workers, Berlina Wilschut, Charmaine Mtyalana, Liezel Goeieman, Monica Mfengu, Philmary Bruintjies, Samantha Fortuin, Charmaine Govender, and Vuyukazi Ndengane for their hard work, dedication, and enthusiasm during the conduct of this research. Many thanks are due to the school principals and the school staff, whom, despite hectic work environments and schedules, helped facilitate the implementation of this research. Many thanks as well to the mothers and daughters who participated in this study. The research assistance of several U.S. project staff is appreciated, especially that of Sabina Hossain. Funding for this study was made possible by a grant received from the National Cancer Institute (R03 CA113086).

Notes

Not the community's real name.

Although the Population Registration Act of 1950, which authorized registration by race, was repealed in 1991, the majority of South Africans continue to self-identify by race. Our use of these racial categories reflects the historical background of participants, their continued attempts at self-identification, and the remaining legacy of apartheid.