What are the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking behaviour for symptoms in patients with ovarian cancer in China? A qualitative study

Objectives: To explore the barriers and facilitators to help-seeking behaviour for symptoms among patients with ovarian cancer in China.

Design: This semistructured interview-based study used a descriptive phenomenological research method.

Setting: The study was conducted in China.

Participants: 17 patients with ovarian cancer were selected based on the principle of maximum differentiation.

Outcome measures and analysis: The study followed the consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research. Data were analysed using the Colaizzi's seven-step method.

Results: Three main themes were identified: (1) low level of symptom perception and cancer risk awareness: unawareness of early non-specific symptoms, mistaken attribution of symptoms and delay caused by a previous diagnosis of benign tumours; (2) cognitive factors influencing help-seeking behaviour: positive health beliefs, perceived benefits of help-seeking, previous adverse medical experiences, stigma and restrained self-disclosure and medical treatment accompanied by distress and (3) practical factors affecting help-seeking behaviour: time pressure caused by social role burden, financial burden, lack of informal carers and mismatch between medical resources and patients' needs.

Conclusion: This study shows that help-seeking behaviour for symptoms among patients with ovarian cancer is not valued. The importance of early symptom recognition, the psychosocial needs of patients and practical barriers must be considered to develop interventions to promote help-seeking behaviour.