ABSTRACT
Background: Despite increasing cancer incidence among young Latinas (<50 yrs.) in
the US, little is known about how young, child-rearing Latinas cope with cancer
in the US-Mexico border region. Objective: The purpose of this study was
to explore how young, child-rearing Latinas described their challenges, strengths, and social support sources for
coping with cancer in the US-Mexico border region. Methods: Nine
Latinas that had been diagnosed with cancer, had at least one child 5 to 13
years old, and lived in one of two targeted border counties participated in
audio-recorded, semi-structured focus groups (n = 6) or interviews (n = 3) in
their preferred language (i.e.,
English or Spanish). Interview recordings were transcribed and inductively
coded using methods based on grounded
theory. Results: Three major themes emerged. First, in reporting
their physical and emotional struggles with cancer as the most difficult time
of their lives, participants described feeling alone as they navigated
treatment side effects and continued fear of cancer. Second, they explained
figuring out how to live day-by-day, reporting the negative impact of cancer on their families and on their ability to
maintain their roles as mothers. Third, they highlighted factors that
gave them the strength to fight and carry on, emphasizing their children and
their inner strength. Conclusions: Even with a supportive family, young
Latina mothers felt alone as they navigated cancer (i.e., treatment, fear, and impact on their families) and as they
worked to garner the strength to overcome the stress of cancer. Interventions for young Latina survivors should be
designed to address their needs, build on their fighting spirit,
incorporate the family, and connect them with other
survivors for personalized support. Further research is warranted to better understand cancer survivorship among child-rearing Latina mothers
experiencing a cancer diagnosis in under-resourced communities like the US-Mexico
border region.