Challenges for Providing Care in Breast Cancer

Introduction & Aim:Cancer as the third leading cause of death in Iran has increased in recent years. The aim of this study was to explain the challenges of providing care in patients with breast cancer.Methods:This qualitative study used semi structured in depth interviews with purposeful sampling by 20 health professionals and experts and continued to saturate the data. Data collection was carried out using semi-structured interviews.Results:In this study, 20 participants consist of 10 health care providers (6 physician and 4 oncology nursing) and 10Policy makers were analyzed. In the qualitative phase, the Challenges for providing care in breast cancerwere identified in five categories (providing specialized services, availability of health care educational guidelines and protocols, utilizing referral system, clear and transparent job descriptions, group work).Conclusion:One of the important issues in providing care to cancer patients is the possibility of using financial resources for medical care.In order to meet the needs of care for patients with breast cancer in the country, it is necessary to prioritize, discuss, plan and execute the following: Establish localized care guidelines and protocols in the field of care and treatment of patients with Breast cancer, training based on standard protocols for the training and management of symptoms, determination of relative value of services and tariffs for health-related services.