Perceptions of Cancer Risks Among Indigenous Women in Bolivia: A Qualitative Study
Eda G. Christensen, Tracy Onega, Logan Reeves, Kian Robison, Trey Johnson, Jeff Rose, Akiko KamimuraABSTRACT
Background and Aims
Cancer is responsible for nearly 20% of all deaths in Bolivia. This study explored sociocultural factors, risk perceptions, and healthcare‐seeking behaviors associated with cancer among Aymara women in a high‐altitude community in rural Bolivia.
Methods
In May 2025, two focus groups were conducted in Spanish with 20 women aged 18 and older in Sajama, a remote Andean town. Participants were recruited through purposive sampling with support from local collaborators. Discussions were guided by a semi‐structured interview schedule, audio‐recorded, transcribed, and translated into English. Thematic analysis was conducted using independent coding and integration of findings.
Results
Cancer was described as a deeply feared and often silent illness, typically recognized only once symptoms had progressed and perceived as largely incurable. Five key themes emerged: perceptions of cancer risk; barriers to care—including geographic isolation, financial challenges, and mistrust in the healthcare system; the parallel use of traditional and biomedical medicine; lifestyle‐related cancer risks; and environmental stressors contributing to concerns about cancer.
Conclusion
These findings emphasize the importance of culturally grounded education and community‐driven strategies to improve cancer awareness, early detection, and access to care among indigenous populations in rural regions.