Coping Strategies and Their Impact on Emotional Distress and Fatigue Among Breast Cancer Survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 27 (2) ◽  
pp. 83-89
Author(s):  
Inbar Levkovich
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors

Emotional distress impacts fear of the future among breast cancer survivors not the reverse

2009 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 117-127 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sophie Lebel ◽  
Zeev Rosberger ◽  
Linda Edgar ◽  
Gerald M. Devins
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
The Future

scholarly journals The Relationship between Visuospatial Memory and Coping Strategies in Breast Cancer Survivors

2011 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S6957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Ayala-Feliciano ◽  
Jaime J. Pons-Valerio ◽  
José Pons-Madera ◽  
Summer F. Acevedo
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Psychosocial Adaptation ◽  
Visuospatial Memory ◽  
Neurocognitive Deficits ◽  
Immediate Memory ◽  
The Impact ◽  
The Relationship

Background In the US there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors (BCSs), most of whom have required some type of intensive treatment. How individuals cope with the treatment process may relate to why neurocognitive problems arise. Method We explored the impact of treatment for breast cancer (BC) on performance of the Memory Island task, both on working memory and on the general index of cognitive performance in relation to coping strategies of BCSs compared to age-matched controls. Results The evidence obtained suggests a reduced performance in visuospatial memory in BCSs. Those who used emotional coping strategies displayed reduced performance in visuospatial learning and immediate memory. Those women who used problem-focused coping strategies performed better in those tasks measuring psychomotor speed, general intelligence, and delayed visuospatial memory. Conclusions It is concluded that further investigation of the relationship between coping strategies and performance on visuospatial tasks may provide useful information on residual levels of neurocognitive deficits and psychosocial adaptation in BCSs.

scholarly journals Survivourship Issues As Determinants of Quality of Life After Breast Cancer Treatment: Report From a Limited Resource Setting

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 100s-100s
Author(s):  
N. Kaur ◽  
A. Gupta ◽  
A.K. Sharma
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Joint Pain ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment

Background: Cancer survivorship is an unremitting struggle for breast cancer patients, as the consequence of complex treatment processes and its multitude of residual and late emerging side effects, have a significant impact on their quality of life (QOL). Unique issues of survivorship include those related to physical, psychological, social, and spiritual well-being of women. Amid a growing population of breast cancer survivors (BCs) worldwide, supportive care research is assuming greater importance in breast cancer care. Focus of survivorship research is to identify issues impacting QOL of the cancer survivors so that supportive care services can be tailored to their specific needs. Role of individual survivor's issues have been widely reported but a comprehensive picture is lacking. Aim: This study was conducted with the aim to identify important survivorship issues adversely affecting QOL of women after breast cancer treatment. Main objectives were to (1) estimate prevalence of various survivorship issues (2) assess QOL of survivors by using FACT-B and SF-36 questionnaires (3) study impact of time elapsed since treatment on survivorship issues and QOL scores (4) identify most important issues from the perspective of impact on QOL. Methods: This descriptive, hospital based, cross sectional study was conducted in 230 breast cancer survivors and a group of 112 healthy age-matched-controls, in an academic healthcare setting in northern India. A checklist of 14 commonly reported survivorship issues, and questionnaires for QOL assessment were administered to participants. Main outcome measures were (1) frequencies of survivorship issues and QOL scores among three groups divided on the basis of time elapsed since treatment (< 2 year follow-up, 2-5 year follow-up and > 5 year follow-up) (2) association of survivorship issues with QOL scores (3) stepwise regression analysis to identify issues with most significant impact on QOL of survivors. Results: Breast cancer survivors showed an improvement in their QOL over time which was sustained in long term survivors. However their quality of life remains poorer, compared with healthy women, irrespective of the duration of follow-up. The most prevalent survivorship issues were fatigue (60%), restriction of shoulder movement (59.6%), body and joint pain (63.5%), chemotherapy induced cessation of menstruation (73.3%) and loss of sexual desire (60%). However the issues which had maximum adverse effect on QOL scores were emotional distress, fatigue, postmastectomy chronic pain, cessation of menstruation, body and joint pain, vaginal dryness and sleep disturbances. Conclusion: Thus in this study, emotional distress and cancer related fatigue were found to be the chief determinants of poor QOL. Further premature menopause, with its attendant systemic symptoms, vulvo-vaginal atrophy and sexual dysfunction emerged as a key contributor to poor QOL in BCs.

scholarly journals Stress, coping strategies and expectations among breast cancer survivors in China: a qualitative study

2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Ruo-Yu Hu ◽  
Jing-Ya Wang ◽  
Wan-Li Chen ◽  
Jie Zhao ◽  
Chun-Hai Shao ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Information Overload ◽  
Public Health Problem ◽  
Modern Society ◽  
Economic Stress ◽  
Stress Coping ◽  
Stress Coping Strategies

Abstract Background Breast cancer is a common tumor in China and has become a public health problem in modern society. Stress plays an important role in the occurrence and progression of cancer. At present, the current situation of stress on breast cancer survivors (BCSs) in China has not been fully understood. This study aims to explore the stress and coping strategies of Chinese BCSs, which provide suggestions to help BCSs reduce stress. Methods Sixty-three BCSs from the Shanghai Cancer Rehabilitation Club in China were included in this study and were divided into eight focus groups. These were transcribed verbatim, coded using thematic analysis and analyzed using NVivo 11. Results Three themes were extracted from the data to address our research objectives: stress, coping strategies and expectations. The stress of BCSs included psychological stress, stress caused by physical pain, economic stress, stress caused by the change of life status, and stress caused by information overload; the coping strategies included self-strategies and help from others; from the perspective of the survivors, they put forward their expectations for both the society and themselves. Conclusions This study shows that BCSs face a variety of stress. In the face of stress, BCSs need comprehensive support, including social and family support to cope with stressors. The findings from this study provide evidence for improving the quality of life among BCSs.

scholarly journals Spousal Desertion and Coping Strategies among Ever-married Women with Breast Cancer in Kwara and Ogun States Nigeria

2020 ◽  
Vol 8 (E) ◽  
pp. 271-279
Author(s):  
Emmanuel O. Amoo ◽  
Gbemisola W. Samuel ◽  
Mofoluwake P. Ajayi ◽  
Tolulope Allo ◽  
Olujide Adekeye ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Risk Factors ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Married Women ◽  
Health Facilities ◽  
Behavioral Risk ◽  
African Countries ◽  
Sub Saharan

AIM: The study examined the coping strategies among ever-married women with breast cancer in disrupted marriages (divorced, separated, or living-alone ever-married women) who also have limited access to social support. METHODS: Data for the study were extracted from 2015 behavioral risk factors for breast and cervical cancers in two states of Nigeria. Respondents for the study were identified through three approaches: (1) Self-reported disclosure of breast cancer, (2) informant-leading approach, and (3) outpatients located in oncological specialized health facilities and herbal homes. Formal approval was sought from the management of selected health facilities and community leaders. The respondents also voluntarily shared their experiences after obtaining their informed consent. Textual data obtained from a total of nine breast cancer survivors and patients identified and interviewed were analyzed for this study, using framework and content analytic procedures. The results were presented as excerpts and in themes. RESULTS: Results revealed two categories of respondents: (1) Breast cancer survivors/patients with husband and (2) those without husbands. Common perspectives were regrets, loss of intimacy, and determination to survive. Basic coping strategies identified are seeking medical support, resignation to fate, and involvement in religion activities. The study concludes that a partner’s support was a great yearning for survivors/patients. CONCLUSION: The authors recommended counseling on partner’s assistance among spouses, especially during sicknesses and diseases. It is also important to raise awareness of the risk factors of breast cancer and the need for constant check-ups among women in the study locations, and by extension, other sub-Saharan African countries.

Randomized Trial of Peer Counseling on Reproductive Health in African American Breast Cancer Survivors

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (10) ◽  
pp. 1620-1626 ◽  
Author(s):  
Leslie R. Schover ◽  
Rosell Jenkins ◽  
Dawen Sui ◽  
Jennifer Harned Adams ◽  
Michelle S. Marion ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
African American ◽  
Reproductive Health ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Emotional Distress ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Peer Counseling ◽  
Positive Effects

Purpose We designed a peer counseling program to improve sexual function, increase knowledge about reproductive health, and decrease menopausal symptoms and infertility-related distress for African American breast cancer survivors. Patients and Methods Women were randomly assigned to immediate counseling or a 3-month waitlist. Three peer counselors conducted a 3-session intervention using a detailed workbook. Questionnaires at baseline, after the waitlist period, at posttreatment, and at 3-month follow-up assessed spirituality, sexual function, menopause symptoms, emotional distress, relationship satisfaction, fertility concerns, and knowledge about reproductive health and breast cancer. At the postcounseling assessment, women rated the workbook, their counselor, and the program. Results Of 93 women screened, 60 women (65%) enrolled in the study. Women who completed counseling (80%; N = 48) had a mean age of 49 years (standard deviation [SD], 8 years) and a mean follow-up of 4.5 years (SD, 3.8 years) since cancer diagnosis. Almost all rated the workbook as very easy to understand (94%) and their counselor as very knowledgeable (96%) and very skillful (98%). Eighty-one percent rated the program as “very useful to me.” Immediate counseling and waitlist groups did not differ at baseline in psychologic adjustment, nor did scores change during the waitlist period. Therefore, the groups were combined in analyzing outcomes. Knowledge of reproductive issues improved significantly from baseline to 3-month follow-up (P < .0001), as did emotional distress (P = .0047) and menopause symptoms (P = .0128). Sexually dysfunctional women became less distressed (P = .0167). Conclusion Women valued the Sisters Peer Intervention in Reproductive Issues After Treatment program highly and found it relevant. The program had positive effects on knowledge and target symptoms.

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