262205 Understanding family support for Filipino families dealing with breast cancer and chronic illness

Tuesday, October 30, 2012 : 1:15 PM - 1:30 PM

Durrain Haq, MPH , Helen Diller Family Comprehnsive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, Albany, CA
Ofelia Villero, PhD , Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Nancy J. Burke, PhD , Helen Diller Family Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA
Background: Filipino Americans constitute the second largest Asian American subgroup in the United States. Filipina women have higher rates of breast cancer incidence than most other Asian subgroups. In addition to breast cancer, older Filipinos have the greatest number of chronic diseases (e.g. diabetes, high blood pressure) as compared to other Asian ethnic groups. Objective: The purpose of this study was to identify types and processes of support in Filipino families dealing with breast cancer and co-morbidities such as heart disease and diabetes. Methods: Ten semi-structured group interviews were conducted with between three and fifteen individuals. Each group included at least one breast cancer survivor. Interviews were conducted in Tagalog and were than translated and transcribed into English. Atlas.ti qualitative software was used to organize data and facilitate analysis. Results: Emergent themes from our analysis encompass the dilemma that Filipino families undergo when faced with chronic illnesses: (1) inter-generational caregiving pressure; (2) need for middle generation to balance care of younger and older generations; and (3) transmigration (travel between U.S. and Philippines) for the purpose of caregiving. Discussion: Filipino families engage in inter-generational support complicated by immigration and multiple chronic illnesses. This study provides insight into pressures of caregiving across generational lines, expectations based on age and birth position within the family, and caregiving effects at all stages of the lifespan. Understanding the roles of different family members, especially those in the middle generation, will help outside agencies in tandem with families to offer support and deliver more effective services.

Learning Areas:
Chronic disease management and prevention
Diversity and culture

Learning Objectives:
1. Identify three types of key support patterns seen in Filipino families dealing with breast cancer and chronic illness. 2. Describe transmigration factors influencing the care Filipinos are able to provide for their families. 3. Discuss how the aforementioned support patterns can be incorporated into formal health services for the Filipino community.

Keywords: Immigrants, Breast Cancer

Presenting author's disclosure statement:

Qualified on the content I am responsible for because: I have been the primary person working on coding and developing themes for this topic and have worked directly with the principal investigator. In addition my interests lie within immigration and health and health disparities research as pertaining to the Asian American community.
Any relevant financial relationships? No

I agree to comply with the American Public Health Association Conflict of Interest and Commercial Support Guidelines, and to disclose to the participants any off-label or experimental uses of a commercial product or service discussed in my presentation.