ANTHMETHGRP1-24-25-YUWEI-ZHANG

[Last modified: December, 1 2024 03:55 PM]

I choose the fifth case study:
“Young women’s perceptions of breasts and breastfeeding
This project explores the various and contradictory social messages about breasts and appropriate bodily behaviour in the context of encouragement of breastfeeding, debates about public breastfeeding and the public sexualisation of breasts through advertising and other media. The research will involve interviews, group discussions and a questionnaire with (a) sixth-form students (aged 16-19) at two schools in London and (b) a mother-toddler group in order to reveal young women’s perceptions of their breasts and bodies and their understanding of what shapes these perceptions.”

In my opinion, this idea is quite interesting and inspirational. For example, I believe it is essential to engage with adolescents who are most prone to body image anxiety to discuss perceptions of breasts and foster a healthy understanding of body image. However, there are still several ambitious problems with the ideas. This existing idea is incomplete and cannot get ethical approval. For now, it is medium/high risk.

From my perspective, there are still five main problems concerning this research plan.

1. The Ambitious Main Theme: The author needs to illustrate the main theme more clearly. From the text, I have no idea whether the researcher wants to pay more attention to the perceptions of breasts or the behaviour of (public) breastfeeding. If the author wants to explore the two themes at the same time, he/she should explain the inner relationships between body image and breastfeeding behaviour.

2. Methodology: Since the author decided to conduct the research using interviews, group discussions, and a questionnaire, he/she should also submit the outline and questions to ensure the process does not include dangerous and sensitive information.

3. The Teenager Group: This research is intended to include students aged 16 to 19 years old, which is quite dangerous. Although students from 16 to 19 years old are not regarded as children, it is still unsuitable to ask them sensitive questions such as breast and breastfeeding, which could be closely related to sex or sexual behaviour. Additionally, if the author insists on getting students included in this research, he/she should illustrate why this research theme is closely related to teenagers. Thirdly, although students from 16 to 19 years old could give their consent, the author should get approval from their parents, teachers and schools as well. Besides, in the school context, the researcher has power over the students and students normally believe that they should give answers to every question even though they do not want to. Therefore, the research should take the research out of the school context. Lastly, the gender of the researcher also needs to be taken into consideration. It is especially unsuitable for a male researcher to ask adolescent girls sensitive questions about breasts, which could be regarded as sexual harassment. There should be a supervisor when conducting the interview.

4. The Mother-Toddler Group: Firstly, it is noted that some women will suffer from Postpartum depression, which is a severe and dangerous mental problem among mothers. In other words, this group of mothers are not able to give free and informed consent. However, the researcher does not make any explanation concerning how they will choose the interviewees and how to avoid causing further harm to this vulnerable group. Additionally, it is not clear whether the researcher intends to get the toddlers involved in the research. If they intend to do so, they should make a complete explanation. They also need to have the consent from their parents and ensure adequate supervisors during interviews and discussions.

5. Data-Protection: As this study intends to explore sensitive topics such as breasts, body image, and breastfeeding, the research data will be highly private and significant. Therefore, researchers need to obtain consent before every interview, focus group discussion, and questionnaire. Additionally, researchers must develop a comprehensive plan for data storage and data sharing to ensure the confidentiality and security of the information.

[Last modified: November, 25 2024 08:21 AM]

This week, Noa and Nathan led an interesting workshop on Forum Theatre during the tutorial. The idea was fascinating, and I enjoyed participating in both the ice-breaking game and the following theatre of the oppressed. It has also helped me consider my pilot research from a multimodal ethnography perspective. I will reflect on both the game and forum theatre.

In terms of the ice-breaking game, I believe it is vital, especially when I first meet others in a group. It is a good way to contact each other, remember others’ names and build up friendships during a quite short term in an engaged way. I also participated in some ice-breaking games before. One of them is especially useful to remember others’ names. The rule of the game is that the first person should say, “I am A (A is his/her first name)”. After that, the person next to the first one should say, “I am B (B is also the second one’s first name) next to A”, and the third person next to the second person should say, “I am C next to B next to A”. The game will continue as a circle after the first one completes his/her second round. As a result, everyone would pay extreme attention to others’ names and be familiar with each other. I took part in the game several times during university. For my future fieldwork, I learnt that some cancer voluntary teams launched regular gatherings with recovering patients to provide a useful way to socialise, share updated information and build up a community. I also intend to take part in some of the gatherings to conduct interviews and collect stories. Therefore, in my opinion, it is a good idea to use a small but funny ice-breaking game as a beginning to make everyone engaged in the gathering.

Additionally, it was my first time taking part in the theatre of the oppressed, and I found it not only interesting but also helped me to notice the details during the drama. From my perspective, this method is quite useful for me to conduct research concerning disputes, arguments and accidents in the medical context. For instance, I could perform the consultation process in the clinic with one of the recovering patients while other recovering patients are sitting close to us. All of them could “freeze” the performance and raise her questions or make some adjustments. Therefore, we could find out the difficulties and problems during the communicative process between doctors and patients, which could make the consulting and treatment process more smooth. Also, it can let these recovering patients know how to communicate with doctors more effectively since, in China, doctors and patients always just spend 5 to 10 minutes consulting. We can also re-perform some accidents during their treatment and recovery period to help them discover the root of the problems and collect useful suggestions.

In general, compared to traditional interviews and observation, games and drama are creative ways to conduct ethnography. In my research, ice-breaking games can help me get to know each other and grow trust in a short time through an interesting and engaging way. The theatre of the oppressed can help me find out some subtle details and receive others’ suggestions and questions. It can also help us rehearse the consulting period in the crowded hospital and improve the experience of medical treatment.

[Last modified: November, 18 2024 08:09 AM]

When my parents or friends want to take a nice photo of me, they often remind me, “You should keep your back straight.” However, slouching has been a bad habit of mine for over ten years. This behavior is also quite common among Chinese girls during adolescence and is often linked to rapid physical growth and maturity, particularly in early adolescence. I personally developed this habit in the 5th grade of primary school.

At that time, I was one of the first girls in my class to experience breast development, which made me feel different from others. Although my mother reassured me that breast development is a natural and universal part of adolescence for girls, and even encouraged me to celebrate this milestone of growth and maturity, I struggled to embrace her perspective. Unfortunately, my school did not offer sex education classes or provide support on such matters. Some of my classmates, particularly the boys, teased me and gave me unpleasant nicknames, which amounted to bullying. The situation was further compounded by the fact that sex is often treated as a taboo topic in Chinese society. I developed a strong sense of embarrassment and even a feeling of stigma. Over time, I began to harbor negative feelings toward my breasts and my body as a whole.

To conceal my physical changes and avoid standing out, I chose to slouch my back, making my rapidly developing breasts less noticeable. Even now, more than 10 years later, I still maintain this habit.

Later, as I gained more knowledge about sex and physical development through other sources by myself, it still took a long term for me to accept my body. I also began discussing this embarrassing experience with my female classmates and friends. To my surprise, nearly all of them had endured similar humiliating teasing during primary and secondary school, often tied to their physical development and sexuality. Some of them had also adopted the habit of slouching as a way to protect themselves.

When I reflect on the roots of this behavior, I believe two main factors contribute to and intensify the stigma girls experience during adolescence in China.
Firstly, the lack of comprehensive sex education in most Chinese schools plays a significant role. In my primary school, it was common for a class to have over 60 students, yet no sex education classes or programs were offered. While some parents, like my mother, took the initiative to teach basic sex knowledge, others remained silent, even after their daughters experienced their first period. As a result, many girls were unprepared for the physical changes they went through. They felt shy, embarrassed, and even a little ashamed. They thought they were different from their peers. Simultaneously, boys, who also lacked sex education, had little understanding or sensitivity to these natural changes. Instead, they often teased their female classmates, deepening the stigma and feelings of isolation among the girls.

Secondly, during adolescence, young people have not yet developed a strong sense of individuality and often seek to conform to the majority. In other words, feeling different from their peers can lead to loneliness and embarrassment. Early-developing girls, in particular, may slouch or bend their backs as a way to hide their physical changes, blending in with their groups and avoiding unwanted attention. This behavior serves as a defense mechanism to protect themselves from being singled out.

Nowadays, more than a decade after my primary school years, I still reflect on the relationship between myself and my body. My feelings towards my breasts remain complex, which became further complicated after I was diagnosed with breast cancer. However, just like sex education in China, facing the problems and breaking the silence is the first step to improvement. Although I could not give up the habit of bending my back, I am gradually learning to appreciate and cultivate a sense of love towards my body.

[Last modified: November, 4 2024 09:09 AM]

My pilot research project is concerning the rehabilitation and recovering period of breast cancer patients in China. I intend to have interviews with previous breast cancer patients, who have finished their own treatment and experience their rehabilitative process.

As a result, this design includes several political positions and assumptions.
Firstly, since this research project focuses on recovery period, the breast cancer patients in this research have finished their timely and “proper” treatment. In other words, this research is in favour of standardised medical treatment of breast cancer.
In addition, I intend to conduct research in China. In this country, rehabilitating and recovering process is mainly conducted by patients and their families while the doctors and nurses will only offer some general guidelines. Besides, traditional Chinese medicine has played an important role in cancer recovery. Therefore, this research is mostly based on the individual behaviours based on Chinese medical contexts which is impacted by the combination of standardised medical system and traditional Chinese medicine.
Thirdly, cancer has long been stigmatised. In terms of breast cancer, especially for young women, hair and breast are closely connected to their attractiveness, which leads to two common stereotypes of cancer patients. One is charming woman wearing wigs to hide their illness and the other is weak patients just like a skeleton. I know some of female patients who choose not to receive treatment such as chemotherapy because they are anxious and afraid of losing hair and attractiveness.
Lastly, in some provinces in China, patients receive lymphatic dissection of breast cancer surgery can obtain disability protection and social support. They will receive a disability certificate as a proof. However, in certain provinces, lymphatic dissection is not considered to cause disability. Public health policies in China vary significantly across different regions.

My own experience is closely connected to the political dimensions. I benefit from standardised treatment in the specialized cancer hospital. Additionally, during my recovering period, I used a traditional Chinese exercise method named Baduanjin to enhance the muscle of my affected arm in the beginning. My family also helps me to pay the cost of my following check-ups and rehabilitative exercises. The disability level of my affected arm is quite low, therefore, I have not got a disability certificate. I did not lose all of my hair during chemical treatment. Although I do not think breast cancer is a stigma for me, I do meet some difficulties with this illness. For example, I cannot choose certain kinds of jobs because of the history of illness.

In terms of my research methods, considering the special group of breast cancer patients, I would choose interviewees from social media platforms who have posted their experiences and shared their stories. I will make sure they have finished their treatment and start their own life in case of possible injuries. On the other hand, since the cancer hospitals are normally full of vulnerable people, I would recall my own treatment experience to show my observation and analysis during the treatment stage. For my research, it is important to keep every participant anonymous.

I hope my research could make a difference to the public health policy and the social awareness. Firstly, since my research focuses on recovering period of breast cancer patients in China, I hope the administers would pay more attention to the cancer patients’ rehabilitation and well beings. For example, the public insurance policies could include more rehabilitating treatment such as physiotherapy to relieve lymphedema of affected arm. Besides, I hope the government will establish a unified disability support regulation based on the research findings to better protect and support breast cancer patients. Lastly, with the development of medical technology, breast cancer patients could also enjoy a longer and higher-quality life after their treatment. My research offers some vivid examples of how patients recover and start their new life. I hope these examples could encourage future breast cancer patients to receive timely treatment and face the difficulties. I also hope this research could change the stereotypes of breast cancer and let the public pay attention to the real life of breast cancer patients.

[Last modified: October, 27 2024 02:36 PM]

During the short observation process, I went to the UCH Macmillian Cancer Center and observed on the ground floor, close to the reception. I also made my next appointment there. Different from my stereotype, this cancer centre is peaceful, supportive, and even somehow hopeful.

Before entering the cancer centre, I saw an elderly woman, sitting alone in her wheelchair and taking a nap. There were two or three people standing outside the centre. One of them called someone up and another smoked. All of them wear quite thick clothes, such as sweaters and down coats. The large glass door is automatically open. There were also some posters promoting vaccines just inside the entrance.

When I first entered the cancer centre, the first person I saw was a security person standing in the middle of the place, leaning against a wall. He wore a set of black working uniform. And on his left chest, it showed the name of the cancer centre.  A young man talked with him. Maybe he was asking something. There were several posts on the walls to promote healthy knowledge and persuade people to take timely treatment. 

At the reception desk, there were three staff members, two were female and one was male. All individuals are of white ethnicity. I asked one lady about the time of my appointment. She asked for my name and my date of birth. After that, she requested me to spell my full name since my Chinese name is quite unfamiliar to her. When we were confirming my appointment, the gentleman sitting next to the lady raised his hand and said “How can I help you” to the elderly man standing behind me. There were two computers on the desk and the staff members used them to search for the patients’ information with their name and date of birth. The lady patiently answered my questions and told me that I would not need to bring my passport or other certificates for the upcoming appointment. She treated me just like a healthy person, without pity or sympathy, unlike what I had experienced so many times during my previous treatments. After answering my questions, she said “Have a nice day” as an end.

Located adjacent to the reception area, there was a partition—either a wall or a screen—that separated the waiting zone from the reception. A notice was posted on this partition. It instructed where patients should go in order to receive some examinations such as the MR. 

Behind the partition, there were two long waiting sofas. There were approximately 10 people sitting there. Most of them sat in groups with their family members or friends. There was only one woman lying on the sofa alone. Next to the waiting sofas, there were two rows of coffee tables. The tables were white and the chairs were red.  Close to the waiting area, there was an elevator, a pharmacy window, and an exit door.

During the observation, it was difficult for me to take some physical notes either with my notebooks or with my iPad inside the centre because most of the time I just stood in front of the reception desk. Therefore, I tried my best to remember everything in my mind and took some mental notes. Just after I left the centre, I stopped close to the main door and used my iPad to draw what I had observed in the centre. It was quite tough for me to remember everything well. Therefore, I believe taking notes as soon as possible was quite important for me. I tagged the whole observation as “hospital” and “medical system” categories. And I use the orange circle to show “people” and use the black circle to show important “items”.

This cancer centre is in fact contrary to my imagination. The staff members were quite supportive, helpful and passionate. The patients there were also peaceful. Personally, I thought the atmosphere in the cancer centre was full of comfort and even some hope. In my previous hospitals, there were enormous patients, their accompanies and staff members, crowding in the limited place for assistance and treatment. As a result, I always had to speak out loudly or even shout out my questions and requirements. There were a lot of white items such as walls, tables and doors without any other colours. It was quite clean, but in my opinion, I think it was too much. In addition, I felt so helpless in the previous hospitals and I could always meet crying patients. There would definitely be long queues in front of the reception desk in order to make appointments with specific doctors. Fortunately, I could make appointments for tomorrow or the day after tomorrow in the previous hospitals, to the contrary, I could only make my appointment for the beginning of November in this centre. I believe this significant difference may be due to the distinct focuses of the medical systems in the two countries. In China, the medical system tried to improve its efficiency and offered help to as many as possible patients. Therefore, every patient may only have 5 minutes for an appointment, and a large number of patients crowd into the hospital in the same time period. On the contrary, from my observation, this cancer centre strives to answer every patient’s questions clearly and offer individual support. As a result, while it may take longer to schedule an appointment, this approach significantly reduces the number of patients in the centre at any given time.

[Last modified: October, 20 2024 03:40 PM]

My research focuses on how breast cancer patients rehabilitate and recover to their normal lives in two provinces, Anhui and Fujian provinces, in China.

I am a 22-year-old Chinese woman. I was born and grew up in Anhui Province. I attended my university in Fujian Province. I was diagnosed with breast cancer in 2022 and got surgery in November. I received my last targeted therapy in July 2023. I am now experiencing my own recovery period. I am not married and do not have children. I am pursuing my master’s degree in MSc Medical Anthropology in London.

My own story and background will greatly affect my research.
1. I am much younger than the average patient, who are mostly in middle age. Some of them are struggling between breast cancer and menopause at the same time. Besides, I am not married and do not have any children. As a result, some of them will not trust me because of my age. On the contrary, some of them will feel more empathetic about my experiences and even suggest me that I should find a boyfriend, get married, and adopt a kid. It is also challenging for me to raise some practical and detailed questions concerning their family life.

2. I was born in Anhui Province and I attended university in Fujian Province. I received my treatment and following regular check-ups in the both provinces. My social network can help me find suitable interviewees and it is easier for me to do some participant observation in the clinics and hospitals. On the other hand, I also need to avoid my stereotypes and try to do my research from a more objective perspective.

3. In terms of language, I can only speak Mandarin. Unfortunately, in Fujian Province, both Hakka and Hokkien dialects are commonly spoken, especially among the elderly. Therefore, the language barrier will hinder my interviews with some breast cancer patients from Fujian Province.

4. I am now pursuing a higher degree in the UK. Since breast cancer is usually thought to be connected with stress, some patients tried to persuade me to give up my studies and turn to find an easier job. Additionally, I can get some more up-to-date and advanced information about the treatment of breast cancer. This privilege also impacts my communication with other breast cancer patients and I believe we have different opinions and narratives concerning the illness.

5. My own treatment and surgery method is quite radical. Therefore, I am not familiar with other treatments and surgery procedures and how do they influence their bodies and lives. What is worse, it is easy for me to neglect others’ sufferings especially those who receive much more conservative treatment.

6. My dual roles could give me both advantages and disadvantages in conducting the research. On the one hand, with similar experience, it will be easier for me to contact patients, conduct interviews, and understand them. It is easier for me to become a member of the breast cancer community and group. I can also share my own observations during treatment in a specialist clinic. On the other hand, as a researcher, I also need to remain objective. I share similar concerns, anxieties, and sorrows with other breast cancer patients. Getting involved in this community and conducting intense research may increase my mental burden and do harm to my mental and physical health.

[Last modified: October, 6 2024 05:39 PM]

Research Topic: The Rehabilitation Process for Breast Cancer Patients in China

Research Background:
After breast cancer treatment, it typically takes patients a long time to rehabilitate, recover and return to their “normal” live. Additionally, certain treatments, especially surgical methods, can result in long-term disabilities. Two common surgical methods often associated with such disabilities are axillary lymph node dissection, which may impair affected arm function, and mastectomy, which can lead to body imbalance and scoliosis. This research focuses on the rehabilitation process for breast cancer patients in China.

Research Questions:
1.Do patients know certain treatments can result in long-term disabilities? Why did they undergo this kind of treatment and surgical procedures?(Do they have the option to choose or they have to undergo?)
2.In the context of China, despite of the standardized treatment, what special methods do Chinese breast cancer patients take to ease the disability and rehabilitate? Why do they choose these methods? Do these methods work?

Research Methods:
1.In-Depth Interview and Case Studies: I will make some in-depth interviews with some breast cancer patients, their careers(such as family members) , professional nursing staff and some relevant voluntary groups.
2.Participant Observation: I will conduct some observation in the tumor hospital and public hospital in Anhui Province(my hometown) and Fujian Province(where I attended university).
3.Oral History: I hope to make some more formal records of patients’ stories in order to commemorate their difficult struggle with breast cancer.

Reflection:
Expected Results:
1.I will interview with more than 20 breast cancer patients and 10 careers and nursing staff. I will also make interview with some voluntary groups to learn how they encourage and support breast cancer patients.
2.I will make some observation in three to five clinics and hospitals in Anhui Province and Fujian Province. I will pay more attention on the postoperative recovery session(for example, in a tumor hospital in Anhui Province, nurses teach and lead patients to do some basic exercise to help them rehabilitate).
3.I will make records through interviews mainly concerning their rehabilitation process and their special methods, but also their emotions and feelings during their treatment and recovering process.
4. I will collect some special recovery or exercise  methods. For example, some Chinese patients choose to do the traditional Chinese sports tai chi to avoid lymphedema.

Possible Challenges:
1.Breast cancer is a sorrowful and private disease. Therefore, how to find patients who would like to share their stories and how to start interviews is a big challenge. During interview and observation, it is important to get interviewers’ and hospitals’ consent and anonymize their detailed information.
2.Due to the limited number of interviewers, it is challenging to accurately represent the whole picture across China.
3.Considering the poor health conditions of patients, especially who just complete their surgery, it is hard to make some face-to-face interviews.

Adjustment:
1.I need to make the best use of social media. In recent years, some patients would like to share their experiences on social media platforms. I can connect and make interviews with this group of patients.
2.I could make some connection with voluntary groups and community to seek for suitable patients and professionals.
3.I could use social media platforms and online video meeting applications to try to make interviews with patients from various provinces and regions.

[Last modified: October, 1 2024 05:15 PM]

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