The Lived Experience of Breast Cancer Patients during the COVID-19 Pandemic.

This article examines the impact of the COVID-19 pandemic on women undergoing breast cancer treatment, based on a mixed-methods study involving 69 participants, including 27 who completed in-depth interviews. Five main themes emerged: logistical challenges in accessing medical care, limited access to emotional support, heightened emotional distress due to the overlap of cancer and the pandemic, experiences of loss (including isolation and loss of control), and the perceived benefits of technology-based psychoeducation and social support. The study highlights increased fear, anxiety, and social isolation among patients, as well as disruptions to treatment and support services. It recommends integrating flexible, digitally delivered psychoeducational and emotional support options to better meet the needs of breast cancer patients during ongoing public health crises.