Factors associated with help-seeking for urinary symptoms among Chinese patients with bladder cancer: A qualitative study.

OBJECTIVE

To investigate factors associated with help-seeking for urinary symptoms among Chinese patients with bladder cancer.

METHODS

A qualitative descriptive research design was employed, involving semi-structured interviews with patients diagnosed with bladder cancer. Content analysis was used to analyze the data.

RESULTS

A total of 19 patients were interviewed . Four key themes were identified: (1) Factors influencing initial symptom appraisal, with three subthemes: attribution of urinary symptoms to non-threatening causes, lack of awareness of hematuria as a cancer sign, andillusion of self-healing caused by painless and intermittent symptoms; (2) Factors sustaining inaction, with three subthemes: masculine endurance, prioritizing social roles, age-related fatalism; (3) Factors converting inaction into action, with three subthemes: symptom persistence or worsening, social support, authoritative advice; (4) Factors that serve as sociocultural and contextual moderators, with four subthemes: financial constraints, festival taboos, the digital divide in healthcare, the warning effect of others' illness experiences.

CONCLUSIONS

Help-seeking behavior among Chinese patients with bladder cancer is influenced by gaps in symptom awareness and appraisal, cultural-psychological barriers, and contextual moderators. Targeted interventions could focus on enhancing risk awareness of hematuria, addressing endurance norms and age-related fatalism, strengthening family and social support, and bridging the digital divide, with the aim of supporting timely help-seeking.