Abstract IA28: Community-based stress management intervention for black breast cancer survivors: A follow up

Abstract The growing body of research on compassion has demonstrated its benefits for healthcare and wellbeing. However, there is no clear agreement about a definition for compassion, given the novelty of the research on this construct and its religious roots. The aim of this study is to analyze the mental semantic construction of compassion in Spanish-speaking women breast cancer survivors, and the effects of the Cognitively-Based Compassion Training (CBCT®) on the modification of this definition, compared to treatment-as-usual (TAU), at baseline, post-intervention, and six-month follow-up. Participants were 56 women breast cancer survivors from a randomized clinical trial. The Osgood’s Semantic Differential categories (evaluative, potency, and activity scales) were adapted to assess the semantic construction of compassion. At baseline, participants had an undefined idea about compassion. The CBCT influenced subjects’ semantic construction of what it means to be compassionate. Findings could lead to future investigations and compassion programs that adapt to a specific culture or population.

Download Full-text

Community Based Psychosocial Education Can Improve Mood Disturbance in Breast Cancer Survivors at Various Stages of Their Recovery

Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapy ◽

10.1017/s1352465816000187 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 44 (6) ◽

pp. 730-736 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Anna Kokavec

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Local Community ◽

Psychiatric Morbidity ◽

Behavioural Therapy ◽

Mood Disturbance ◽

Depression Symptoms ◽

Community Based ◽

Severe Group

Background: Psychosocial distress can contribute to avoidance, refusal, or discontinuation of cancer treatment, which could impact recovery and survival. Aims: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effectiveness of a community based psychosocial program on alleviating mood disturbance in breast cancer survivors at different stages of their breast cancer journey. Method: A total of 37 women participated in an 8-week psychosocial program at their local community centre. The weekly 3-hour program was delivered in a small group format. Program components included health education, behavioural training, cognitive behavioural therapy, art therapy and stress-management. Questionnaires aimed at assessing psychiatric morbidity and mood adjustment were administered at the beginning of the program (Pre) and at the completion of the program (Post). Results: Group data revealed a significant reduction in psychiatric morbidity and improved psychological adjustment. When participants were divided into degree of psychiatric morbidity (mild, moderate, severe, very severe) a significant reduction in the reporting of anxiety symptoms in the mild, moderate, severe and very severe groups was reported; depression symptoms in the severe and very severe groups were noted, and anger, confusion and somatic symptoms in the mild group were noted. The level of activity was also significantly improved in the very severe group. Conclusions: A structured community based psychosocial program is beneficial to women struggling to come to terms with the emotional consequences of breast cancer at all stages of recovery.

Download Full-text

Mammography Surveillance and Mortality in Older Breast Cancer Survivors

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2006.09.9572 ◽

2007 ◽

Vol 25 (21) ◽

pp. 3001-3006 ◽

Cited By ~ 85

Author(s):

Timothy L. Lash ◽

Matthew P. Fox ◽

Diana S.M. Buist ◽

Feifei Wei ◽

Terry S. Field ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Cancer Mortality ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Care Delivery ◽

Breast Cancer Mortality ◽

The United States ◽

Stage I ◽

Early Stage Disease

Purpose There are more than 2,000,000 breast cancer survivors in the United States today. While surveillance for asymptomatic recurrence and second primary is included in consensus recommendations, the effectiveness of this surveillance has not been well characterized. Our purpose is to estimate the effectiveness of surveillance mammography in a cohort of breast cancer survivors with complete ascertainment of surveillance mammograms and negligible losses to follow-up. Patients and Methods We enrolled 1,846 stage I and II breast cancer patients who were at least 65 years old at six integrated health care delivery systems. We used medical record review and existing databases to ascertain patient, tumor, and therapy characteristics, as well as receipt of surveillance mammograms. We linked personal identifiers to the National Death Index to ascertain date and cause of death. We matched four controls to each breast cancer decedent to estimate the association between receipt of surveillance mammogram and breast cancer mortality. Results One hundred seventy-eight women died of breast cancer during 5 years of follow-up. Each additional surveillance mammogram was associated with a 0.69-fold decrease in the odds of breast cancer mortality (95% CI, 0.52 to 0.92). The protective association was strongest among women with stage I disease, those who received mastectomy, and those in the oldest age group. Conclusion Given existing recommendations for post-therapy surveillance, trials to compare surveillance with no surveillance are unlikely. This large observational study provides support for the recommendations, suggesting that receipt of surveillance mammograms reduces the rate of breast cancer mortality in older patients diagnosed with early-stage disease.

Download Full-text