Young Breast Cancer Survivors: Employment Experience and Financial Well-Being

The economic burden of breast cancer for women under 50 in the United States remains largely unexplored, in part because young women make up a small proportion of breast cancer cases overall. To address this knowledge gap, we conducted a web-based survey to compare data from breast cancer survivors 18–39 years of age at first diagnosis and 40–49 years of age at first diagnosis. We administered a survey to a national convenience sample of 416 women who were 18–49 years of age at the time of their breast cancer diagnosis. We analyzed factors associated with financial decline using multivariate regression. Survivors 18–39 years of age at first diagnosis were more likely to report Stage II–IV breast cancer (P<0.01). They also quit their jobs more often (14.6%) than older survivors (4.4%; P<0.01) and faced more job performance issues (55.7% and 42.8%, respectively; P=0.02). For respondents in both groups, financial decline was more likely if the survivor had at least one comorbid condition (odds ratios: 2.36–3.21) or was diagnosed at Stage II–IV breast cancer (odds ratios: 2.04–3.51).

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Underserved community-based walking program for breast cancer survivors.

Journal of Clinical Oncology ◽

10.1200/jco.2016.34.3_suppl.e288 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽

pp. e288-e288

Author(s):

Judy Angela Tjoe ◽

Linda B. Piacentine ◽

Karen M. Robinson ◽

Alexander V. Ng ◽

Leslie J. Waltke ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Focus Groups ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Well Being ◽

Community Based ◽

Convenience Sample ◽

Walking Program

e288 Background: Advancements in early detection and new treatment options have improved outcomes for breast cancer survivors (BCS). With increased survivorship, improving quality of life (QOL) may be a challenge for some women. Exercise improves QOL for BCS and decreases recurrence, but, despite this many women do not routinely exercise. Underserved areas are at particular risk. Few studies have examined factors influencing exercise initiation and maintenance in underserved areas among minority overweight women. The purpose of this mixed methods study was to examine physiological outcomes and motivational factors in a community-based goal oriented walking program for BCS. Methods: A convenience sample of female BCS was recruited from an inner-city community center 12-week walking program. Women participated in physiological testing and focus groups before and after the program. Data was collected regarding strength, fitness, quality of life, and motivation of the women. Quantitative data was analyzed with paired t-tests. Two researchers independently analyzed focus groups’ transcriptions and like statements and phrases were coded. Themes emerged after discussions between the researchers. Results: The 13 participants [overweight BMI (n = 2), and obese BMI (n = 11)] had a mean survivorship of 5.4 years (range .25-14.5) years. Only 7 participants completed both pre and post physiological testing. Functional endurance significantly improved as indicated by the 6 Minute Walk Test (pre = 503(56), post = 570 (63) meters, mean(sd)), p = 0.02). While overall QOL did not improve, functional well-being showed significant improvement. Two focus group sessions were held at the beginning (n = 13) and end (n = 11) of the program. Themes emerged identifying 1) Treatment Weight Gain, 2) Familial Support, 3) Not Wanting to Go it Alone, 4) The Team Made the Difference Conclusions: Female BCS spoke of interpersonal and environmental factors involved in the decision to engage and maintain exercise with the walking program. Further research is needed to examine exercise motivation in underserved, overweight and obese breast cancer survivors.

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PAVING the Path to Wellness for Breast Cancer Survivors: Lifestyle Medicine Education and Group Interventions

American Journal of Lifestyle Medicine ◽

10.1177/1559827620986066 ◽

2021 ◽

pp. 155982762098606

Author(s):

Amy Comander ◽

Beth Frates ◽

Michelle Tollefson

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Well Being ◽

Disease Recurrence ◽

The United States ◽

Evidence Based ◽

Wellness Program ◽

Lifestyle Medicine ◽

After Cancer

There are over 3.5 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States. Key elements of breast cancer survivorship care include monitoring for disease recurrence, addressing medical and psychosocial consequences of treatment, and educating about lifestyle interventions which decrease risk of recurrence, improve quality of life, and improve outcome. We have developed the PAVING the Path to Wellness Program for Breast Cancer Survivors in order to provide education on evidence-based topics from lifestyle medicine, with the goal to help women adopt healthy habits and improve well-being after cancer treatment. The 12-week program includes all 6 pillars of lifestyle medicine, as well as positive psychology, gratitude, and goal setting work. The PAVING the Path to Wellness Program for Breast Cancer Survivors empowers breast cancer survivors with knowledge regarding evidence-based lifestyle recommendations and helps them achieve an improved sense of well-being following treatment. On completion of the program, participants specifically reported an improvement in attitude and well-being. Next steps involve developing a strategy to offer this program to a larger group of cancer survivors.

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Improvement in quality of life and psychological well-being associated with a culturally based psychosocial intervention for Chinese American breast cancer survivors

Supportive Care in Cancer ◽

10.1007/s00520-020-05942-8 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Qian Lu ◽

Lingjun Chen ◽

Lilian J. Shin ◽

Carol Wang ◽

Lenna Dawkins-Moultin ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Quality Of Life ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Psychosocial Intervention ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Chinese American ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being ◽

Culturally Based

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Priorities in the Cardiovascular Care of Breast Cancer Survivors

Journal of Oncology Practice ◽

10.1200/jop.18.00027 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 14 (4) ◽

pp. 205-211 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Bonnie Ky

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cardiovascular Disease ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Multidisciplinary Care ◽

The United States ◽

Cancer Therapies ◽

Clinical Prediction ◽

Cardiovascular Care ◽

Common Malignancy

Breast cancer is the most common malignancy in women with more than 3 million breast cancer survivors in the United States alone. Survivors of breast cancer suffer from an increased burden of cardiovascular risk factors and disease. The focus of this review is to describe the epidemiology of cardiovascular disease in breast cancer survivors, including the cardiovascular concerns observed with common cancer therapies. Strategies to improve upon the early detection and treatment of cardiovascular disease, including clinical prediction algorithms, biomarkers, and imaging measures are also reviewed, and the use of cardioprotective therapies to mitigate risk are summarized. Finally, the need for evidence-based research to inform and improve upon the multidisciplinary care of this growing population is highlighted.

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Twenty-five years later—what do we know about religion/spirituality and psychological well-being among breast cancer survivors? A systematic review

Journal of Cancer Survivorship ◽

10.1007/s11764-011-0193-7 ◽

2011 ◽

Vol 6 (1) ◽

pp. 82-94 ◽

Cited By ~ 55

Author(s):

Judith A. Schreiber ◽

Dorothy Y. Brockopp

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Systematic Review ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Well Being ◽

Psychological Well Being

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Motherhood and well-being in young breast cancer survivors

Breast Cancer Management ◽

10.2217/bmt-2017-0015 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 7 (1) ◽

pp. BMT02 ◽

Cited By ~ 3

Author(s):

Cynthia Wan ◽

Isabelle Arès ◽

Alexandre Gareau ◽

Katherine A Collins ◽

Sophie Lebel ◽

...

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Well Being ◽

Young Breast Cancer

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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.

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Promoting Team-Based Exercise Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors

Western Journal of Nursing Research ◽

10.1177/0193945918795313 ◽

2018 ◽

Vol 40 (12) ◽

pp. 1885-1902 ◽

Cited By ~ 4

Author(s):

Linda B. Piacentine ◽

Karen M. Robinson ◽

Leslie J. Waltke ◽

Judy A. Tjoe ◽

Alexander V. Ng

Keyword(s):

Breast Cancer ◽

African American ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Breast Cancer Survivors ◽

Well Being ◽

Walking Program ◽

Increased Risk ◽

Before And After ◽

Mind Set ◽

Poor Outcomes

Physical activity benefits the health and well-being of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Yet, many African American survivors do not routinely exercise and have increased risk of poor outcomes. The purpose of this mixed-method study was to identify motivational factors compelling African American BCS to participate in a 14-week team walking program and to intend to continue exercise after the intervention concluded. Focus groups were held with participants ( n = 12) before and after training. Content analysis discovered themes before the intervention: Not wanting to go at it alone, exercise not a life or treatment priority, cancer treatment affected activity, advocates to exercise, and can exercise really help? Four themes postintervention themes included: In the same boat, changed mind-set, improved weight and activity, and overcoming barriers. Physical data verified improvements. Results suggest that a team-based exercise training program may assist in overcoming a sedentary behavior tendency and subsequently improve health among survivors.

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