Impact of Large-Scale Disasters on Breast Cancer Care: A Qualitative Analysis of Patient Experiences During the 2011 Triple Disaster in Fukushima, Japan

Abstract

Abstract Background Large-scale disasters can severely affect breast cancer care, leading to treatment disruption and delay. Although few empirical studies have explored these effects, analyzing patients’ narratives can help bridge this gap. This study aimed to explore treatment continuity and medical access among patients with breast cancer during the 2011 triple disaster using qualitative research methods. Methods This qualitative study focused on 21 patients with breast cancer diagnosed before the disaster and were affected by it. Upon receiving consent, semi-structured interviews were conducted, lasting between 20 min to 1 h. Inductive thematic analysis was used for data interpretation. Results Five key themes emerged in the present study, ranging from immediate response to long-term recovery: medical challenges faced after the disaster, family roles and burdens, information access and communication, mental health effects of disasters, and challenges faced during evacuation. These themes covered a range of challenges, including infrastructure damage, treatment disruptions, substantial constraints arising from familial roles that could overburden the family support, importance of reliable medical and nonmedical information sources, psychological impacts of the disaster, and unique difficulties experienced in evacuation shelters. Conclusions This analysis highlights the critical need for ongoing care and addresses the key challenges faced by breast cancer patients during disasters. Future research should aim to develop practical and prompt solutions to address these issues in disaster settings.