THE LIVED EXPERIENCES OF BREAST CANCER

CLIENTS WHO UNDERWENT WET BLOOD

CUPPING AS AN ALTERNATIVE TREATMENT

AURA BRUCENE ULEP

JENNIFER JOY R. OLIVAR, PhD, RN
December 2, 2017
 Background

 Breastcancer is the principal cause of death

from cancer among women globally.
 In the Philippines, it has the highest incidence
of breast cancer in Asia and the 9th highest in
the world today.
 Alternative approach also has been done to
clients who have tried all possibilities in their
hope to be cured totally.
 Research Question

 Whatare the lived experiences of breast

cancer clients who underwent blood
cupping as an alternative treatment?
 Limitations
 Only on female breast cancer clients who were
previously treated with western medicine and
underwent blood cupping as alternative
treatment.
 The research participants are preferably living
in Metro Manila
 Availabilitywas a consideration and their
willingness to participate.
 Breastclients who are not willing to participate
was not be included in the research study.
 Literature Review
 Cancer of the breast in women is a major health burden worldwide
 Approaches can be done through the standard or western medicine
or alternative treatment like blood cupping
 Removal of toxins improve circulation thereby sufficient supply of
oxygen to the cells tissues and organs make the person well
 The ancient Egyptians, Greeks and Chinese used cupping therapy
as recorded in the oldest medical textbook, Ebers Papyrus written
approximately 1550 BD in Egypt .
Definition of terms

Blood cupping treatment :

The treatmen done using cups through vacuum
effect for the toxins to be removed from the body
using a lancing device to break the skin

Breast cancer clients:Female clients who are

diagnosed with breast cancer treated previously
with western medicine and underwent blood cupping
as an alternative treatment
 Methodology
 Research
design - Qualitative-
phenomenology.
 Sampling - Purposive sampling
 Population – all breast cancer patients
 Sample size – five participants
 Setting– blood cupping centers in the
Philippines
 Methodology

 Instruments
– unstructured in-depth
phenomenological interviews
 Datagathering procedures - letter of
consent, data gathering was done
precisely, systematically that all relevant
information were taken, audio and video
recordings was done
 Dataanalysis – Collaizi’s method of data
analysis
Research Locale

 Participants were selected from the list of clients of Blood

Cupping Philippines who are diagnosed with Breast
Cancer.
The interviews were done in all the centers of Blood
Cupping Philippines with in Metro Manila and neighboring
municipalities.
Participants

Five participants were selected

All Female
Residents of Manila
Willing and cooperative
Data Gathering

 Individual In depth Interview

 Field notes
 Audio recording
 Ethical Considerations were observed
DATA ANALYSIS
 COLLAIZZI METHOD
 1. Interview transcribed verbatim
 2. Significant statements or phrases
 3. Formulated meanings
 4. Group of formulated meanings after consulted with the
adviser
 5. All emergent themes from thorough and exhaustive
descriptions were defined.
 6. Corrections were made to specify the real meaning
 7.Validation of the results and findings using “member
checking”
 Major Themes

1. benefits of blood cupping

 Physiological
 Physical
 Spiritual

2. Side effects of blood cupping treatment

3. Varying levels of adherence
3.1 Non adherence
3.2 Reseming Adherence
 Major Themes

 Adherence to prescribed health teachings

 The detoxification effect
 Productive and responsible person
despite illness
 The admirable Filipino fighting spirit
 The healing effects of blood cupping
Summary
 nine emergent themes identified
 Participants are happy
 The availability of wet or blood cupping procedure,
which is significantly lower in cost.
 Spirituality is remarkable because of the improvement
in their condition
 Perceived risk for infection
 Healthful benefits were articulated
 Information Dissemination about the alternative
treatment called blood cupping
CONCLUSION

 Wet or blood cupping treatment is an effective

treatment option among women with breast cancer.
 Health benefits of the treatment gave hope and
happiness to the participants
 The procedure is not yet widely recognized in the
Philippines
RECOMMENDATIONS
 Comprehensive Information dissemination about the
procedure
 The DOH thru PITAHC should conduct seminars and
training and facilitate regulation of practice
 Extent of beliefs and practices among individuals who
undergo wet or blood cupping should be determined
 Monitor other health practices of cancer patients who
utilize blood cupping
 A larger sample size
Thank you so much!