Reviewer ’s report  
 
Title: A Qualitative Exploration of Cervical and Breast Cancer Stigma in Karnataka, India  
 
Version: 0 Date: 04 Oct 2016  
 
Reviewer: Tam Truong Donnelly  
 
Reviewer's report:  
 
This paper addressed an important health topic. The paper needs major editing, especially the 
section, "Manifestation of Stigma". There are many repeated quotes and issues that were already 
addressed in the previous section - "Divers".   
 
 
 
 
Abstract:  
 
The method section in the abstract needs to include number of respondents interviewed for each 
study.  
 
 
 
 
Figure and Tables:   
-  
- Figure 2 section "Opportunities for Programmatic Action" is not quite self -explanatory.  
 
 
- Table 1 needs citing of sources (i.e. Ad apted from ….).  
 
 
- Table 2 - good information, but readers then might wonder how stigma was experienced 
between exposed and unexposed groups.   
 
 
 
 
Background:  
 
- Good information re background/lit review. Review of literature should include more 
studies re lated to target population (Indian).  
 
 
- Needs to include information statistics regarding breast and cervical cancer incidence and 
mortality rates and if available, these cancer screening rate among targeted population. 
This would help to further illuminat e the negative impact of stigma on the outcome of 
these cancer diagnosis and treatment, thus significant of this paper's topic.  
 
 
 
 
Methods:  
 
- Please add a section on the theoretical framework and how it guides the study.  
 
 
- A very good use of table 2 to com municate sample design and participants' details.   
 
 
- Procedure needs elaboration on how the sample size for both studies were determined.   
 
 
- Under section "data collection and analysis" please briefly categorize the type of 
questions asked for the individual in -depth interview and for the focus group - few 
examples of these questions would be useful for the readers.  
 
 
 
Result:  
 
- Section "Diver " is well written.  
 
 
- Line 236, I would suggest the subheading be: "Cancer as a death sentence and the 
negative impact of having cancer"  
 
 
- The section "Manifestations of stigma" needs major editing. It elaborates on issues and 
has many quotes that were alr eady addressed in the previous section so it is quite 
redundant.  
 
 
 
Discussion:  
 
- The authors emphasize pertinent findings but to be more relevant, they need to include 
recommendations that would be of significant in addressing stigma in breast cancer and 
cervical cancer for the target population.  
 
Are the methods appropriate and well described?  
If not, please specify what is required in your comments to the authors.  
 
Yes 
 
Does the work include the necessary controls?  
If not, please specify which controls are required in your comments t o the authors.  
 
Unable to assess  
 
Are the conclusions drawn adequately supported by the data shown?  
If not, please explain in your comments to the authors.  
 
No 
 
Are you able to assess any statistics in the manuscript or would you recommend an  
additional statistical review ? 
If an additional statistical review is recommended, please specify what aspects require further  
assessment in your comments to the editors.  
 
Not relevant to this manuscript  
 
Quality of written English  
Please indicate the quality of language in the manus cript:  
 
Needs some language corrections before being published  
 
Declaration of competing interests  
Please complete a declaration of competing interests, considering the following questions:  
 
1. Have you in the past five years received reimbursements, fees, fu nding, or salary from an  
organisation that may in any way gain or lose financially from the publication of this  
manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
2. Do you hold any stocks or shares in an organisation that may in any way gain or lose  
financially from the publication of this manuscript, either now or in the future?  
 
3. Do you hold or are you currently applying for any patents relating to the content of the  
manuscript?  
 
4. Have you received reimbursements, fees, funding, or salary from an organization that 
holds  or has applied for patents relating to the content of the manuscript?  
 
5. Do you have any other financial competing interests?  
 
6. Do you have any non -financial competing interests in relation to this paper?  
If you can answer no to al l of the above, write 'I declare that I have no competing interests' 
below.  If your reply is yes to any, please give details below.  
 
I declare that I have no competing interests.  
  
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