In Search of Process: Exploring Group Work and Relatedness in a Group Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Health-related quality of life is an important end point in breast cancer care. Assessing quality of life in breast cancer patients could contribute to improved treatment outcome and could even serve as monitor along with medical parameters. The need for psychosocial support is well established among breast cancer patients with levels of psychological distress and depression, particularly after diagnosis and treatment. Cancer support helps patients to cope with cancer by adjusting their attitudes, knowledge, and expectation about the disease. Aim: To determine the impact of support group intervention on quality of life of patients with advanced breast cancer To create awareness, educate, counsel and support as well as to mediate in the weaknesses of the medical care system in dealing with breast cancer patients. Methods: A prospective cohort study involving breast cancer patients using a system of breast cancer support group that organizes a two month period meeting for all breast patients in University of Nigeria Teaching Hospital Enugu. Educational information on breast cancer, nutritional needs, exercise and the need for regular follow-up in breast cancer care were given to them as well as the means of overcoming the psychosocial burden in cancer. QOL assessment evaluating the four domains (physical, social, psychological and environmental) on selected patients with advanced breast cancer using WHO BREF was administered. Results: A total of 113 breast cancer patients were involved in this study. At the end of the intervention, 14 women (12.4%) were censored due to death, while postassessment was carried out for only 99 women. Postintervention analysis showed that there was a significant positive correlation between availability of social support to respondents (FS score) and the four quality of life domains ( P < 0.05). Further analysis also showed that respondents' quality of life significantly increased across all domains at postintervention ( P < 0.05). Conclusion: Patients receiving support group intervention all had improved quality of life.

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Abstract P3-11-04: The effect of group intervention therapy for young breast cancer patients under 35 years old

10.1158/0008-5472.sabcs13-p3-11-04 ◽

2013 ◽

Author(s):

A Kitano ◽

T Hosaka ◽

T Iwata ◽

W Osaka ◽

H Kitagawa ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Group Intervention ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Young Breast Cancer

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A feasibility study of psychosocial group intervention for breast cancer patients with first recurrence

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-004-0733-z ◽

2004 ◽

Vol 13 (7) ◽

pp. 503-514 ◽

Cited By ~ 13

Author(s):

Masami Chujo ◽

Ichiro Mikami ◽

Shigemitsu Takashima ◽

Toshiaki Saeki ◽

Shozo Ohsumi ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Feasibility Study ◽

Group Intervention ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

First Recurrence

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Positive Psychology Group Intervention for Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomised Trial

Psychological Reports ◽

10.2466/15.20.pr0.115c17z7 ◽

2014 ◽

Vol 115 (1) ◽

pp. 44-64 ◽

Cited By ~ 24

Author(s):

M. Victoria Cerezo ◽

Margarita Ortiz-Tallo ◽

Violeta Cardenal ◽

Alejandro de la Torre-Luque

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Positive Psychology ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Group Intervention ◽

Psychological Intervention ◽

Randomised Trial ◽

Well Being ◽

Self Esteem ◽

Breast Cancer Patients ◽

Experimental Group

This study assessed the effects of a psychological group intervention based on positive psychology in women with breast cancer. 175 women were randomly assigned either to an experimental group, receiving the 14-session intervention ( n = 87), or to a waitlist group ( n = 88) that did not receive any type of intervention. For treatment, a group intervention was applied, based on improving psychological strengths and enhancing positive psychology-based styles of coping. Strength-related outcomes, self-esteem, well-being, and happiness were assessed before and after the intervention. The experimental group showed higher scores on all of the study variables after the intervention. Participants reported improved self-esteem, emotional intelligence-related abilities, resilience, and optimism, as well as positive affectivity, well-being, and happiness. The results show a beneficial effect of this psychological intervention based on positive psychology on female breast cancer patients' psychological health.

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