Dynamics Of The Role And Challenges Of Husbands In Accompanying Breast Cancer Patients: A Psychosocial Perspective

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women and a leading cause of cancer-related mortality worldwide, including in Indonesia. Its impact extends beyond patients to their families, particularly husbands who often serve as primary caregivers. This study aims to explore the dynamics of husbands’ roles and challenges in supporting breast cancer patients. A descriptive qualitative design was employed, using in-depth interviews with nine husbands of breast cancer patients at Dr. Achmad Mochtar Hospital, Bukittinggi, in 2026. Thematic analysis identified two major themes with six subthemes. The first theme, active roles of husbands, includes accompanying medical treatment, taking over household responsibilities, and fulfilling family income. The second theme, challenges and stress, encompasses physical exhaustion, emotional distress, and financial as well as bureaucratic obstacles in accessing healthcare services. Coping strategies observed among participants included patience, faith, simple recreational activities, and external support from family, healthcare providers, and the social environment. Husbands’ expectations focused on their wives’ recovery, the restoration of family life, and improvements in healthcare quality. These findings highlight the central role of husbands in the psychosocial adjustment of families facing breast cancer, while also emphasizing the multidimensional burdens they encounter. This study contributes to the development of family-centered nursing interventions and healthcare services, particularly within the context of breast cancer care in Indonesia.