Women With Breast Cancer in Malaysia: Social Work Perspectives on the Challenges and Social Support

It has been reported that breast cancer is the most common type of cancer affecting women in Malaysia. A diagnosis of breast cancer will usually bring upon a set of issues and challenges affecting the well-being of these women. The aim of this article is to provide a literature review regarding the biopsychosocial issues, challenges, social support and adaptation process experienced by women with breast cancer, with an application to the Malaysian setting focusing on the Malaysian sociocultural backgrounds. The discussion of this article focuses on the importance of social support in adaptation process such as from immediate family members, support group and the medical team following the challenges faced by the patients such as ones stemming from their cultural background, their biological issues and their refusal to seek treatments. The overall review of the literature is aligned with the social work values in addressing human wellbeing, including the recognition of the psychosocial and sociocultural backgrounds as powerful components of health in practice and policies. Finally, this article will provide insights for the helping profession in the country such as medical social workers in providing social work assessments and interventions suitable for Asian women with breast cancer.