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Cancer Care After Türkiye-Syrian Earthquakes: A Qualitative Study

Published online by Cambridge University Press:  23 October 2024

Gürkan Sert Open the ORCID record for Gürkan Sert [Opens in a new window] ,
Yakup Gözderesi Open the ORCID record for Yakup Gözderesi [Opens in a new window] ,
Cemre Hilal Kesen Yurtcanlı Yurtcanl Open the ORCID record for Cemre Hilal Kesen Yurtcanlı Yurtcanl [Opens in a new window] ,
Maide Barış Open the ORCID record for Maide Barış [Opens in a new window]  and
Seyhan Hıdıroğlu Open the ORCID record for Seyhan Hıdıroğlu [Opens in a new window]
Gürkan Sert*
Affiliation:
Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Medical History & Ethics, Istanbul, Türkiye
Yakup Gözderesi
Affiliation:
Marmara University, School of Medicine, Istanbul, Türkiye
Cemre Hilal Kesen Yurtcanlı Yurtcanl
Affiliation:
Marmara University, School of Medicine, Public Health Department, Istanbul, Türkiye
Maide Barış
Affiliation:
Marmara University, School of Medicine, Department of Medical History & Ethics, Istanbul, Türkiye
Seyhan Hıdıroğlu
Affiliation:
Marmara University, School of Medicine, Public Health Department, Istanbul, Türkiye
*
Corresponding author: Gürkan Sert; Email: [email protected]
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Abstract

Objectives

In the field of cancer, many cancer patient associations (CPAs) have been established in Türkiye to support individuals living with cancer (ILCs) throughout the diagnosis and treatment processes. The presence of CPAs for ILCs became more significant after the major earthquakes in southeastern Türkiye in February 2023. The aim of this study is to identify the challenges of ILCs after the earthquakes from the perspective of CPA members.

Methods

This study employed a qualitative approach. The data collection method was in-depth interviews. Semi-structured, open-ended interviews were conducted with 15 volunteers who work with ILCs, selected through purposeful sampling. The data were analyzed by using inductive thematic analysis. This study was conducted between April and May 2023.

Results

Three main themes (problems of ILCs caused by earthquakes, access to health care, future concerns) and 11 subthemes were extracted through analyzing interviews.

Conclusion

ILCs experienced diverse difficulties after earthquakes. Members of CPAs observed that acute interventions to injured people and humanitarian aid activities had the first-place importance after the earthquake, while cancer-related care took the second place, anticipating devastating outcomes for the future of their care. CPAs should be supported by the public, local governments, and central government in their endeavors for ILCs.

Keywords

Türkiye-Syrian Earthquakenatural disasterIndividuals Living with Cancer (ILC)
Type
Brief Report
Information
Disaster Medicine and Public Health Preparedness , Volume 18 , 2024 , e141
Copyright
© The Author(s), 2024. Published by Cambridge University Press on behalf of Society for Disaster Medicine and Public Health, Inc.

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