Perspective of Navajo women in recovery from breast cancer

Abstract

This research was an ethnographic study of the perceptions of five Navajo women who were in recovery from breast cancer. The conceptual orientation for this study consisted of the cultural and social structure dimensions from Leininger's Sunrise Model (Leininger, 1991). The domains identified in this study reflect the Sunrise Model's religious and philosophical factors, kinship and social factors, and cultural values and lifeways. The domains of meaning identified are: Support Persons and Practices, Power and Strength, Self-Care Practices, Difficult Feelings about Breast Cancer, and Biomedical Treatment. The three cultural themes that emerged from the analysis are: (a) Elders' teachings guide the process of recovery and all of lifeways; (b) Ceremonies and beliefs give the power for healing and are the spiritual journey that is woven throughout the culture; and ( c) Recovery is important because a long life is desirable.