PURPOSE: To examine prospectively the influence of social networks on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Social networks and HRQoL were assessed among women free of breast cancer in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). Women who developed breast cancer over a 4-year follow-up (n=708) completed detailed questions related to treatment together with an assessment of general and cancer-specific HRQoL. RESULTS: On average, socially isolated women were more adversely affected by breast cancer--their role function was lower by 14 points, vitality lower by 7 points, and physical function lower by 6 points compared to the most socially integrated women. CONCLUSION: Prediagnosis level of social integration is an important factor in future HRQoL among breast cancer survivors, and appears to explain more of the variance in HRQoL than treatment or tumor characteristics. Rehabilitation programs should incorporate interventions that address the availability of adequate social support among breast cancer survivors.
PURPOSE: To examine prospectively the influence of social networks on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Social networks and HRQoL were assessed among women free of breast cancer in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). Women who developed breast cancer over a 4-year follow-up (n=708) completed detailed questions related to treatment together with an assessment of general and cancer-specific HRQoL. RESULTS: On average, socially isolated women were more adversely affected by breast cancer--their role function was lower by 14 points, vitality lower by 7 points, and physical function lower by 6 points compared to the most socially integrated women. CONCLUSION: Prediagnosis level of social integration is an important factor in future HRQoL among breast cancer survivors, and appears to explain more of the variance in HRQoL than treatment or tumor characteristics. Rehabilitation programs should incorporate interventions that address the availability of adequate social support among breast cancer survivors.
Authors: Andrea Soares; Irene Biasoli; Adriana Scheliga; Renata Lyrio Baptista; Eloá Pereira Brabo; José Carlos Morais; Guilherme Loureiro Werneck; Nelson Spector Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2012-08 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Jody M Jackson; Sharon J Rolnick; Steve S Coughlin; Christine Neslund-Dudas; Mark C Hornbrook; Jeanne Darbinian; Donald J Bachman; Lisa J Herrinton Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2006-12-20 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Yvonne L Michael; Nichole E Carlson; Rowan T Chlebowski; Mikel Aickin; Karen L Weihs; Judith K Ockene; Deborah J Bowen; Cheryl Ritenbaugh Journal: Health Psychol Date: 2009-03 Impact factor: 4.267
Authors: Barbara L Andersen; William B Farrar; Deanna M Golden-Kreutz; Ronald Glaser; Charles F Emery; Timothy R Crespin; Charles L Shapiro; William E Carson Journal: J Clin Oncol Date: 2004-09-01 Impact factor: 44.544