Lea Ochayon1, Rina Tunin2, Aviva Yoselis3, Ilana Kadmon2. 1. Radiotherapy Unit and Oncology Clinic, Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel. Electronic address: leao@hadassah.org.il. 2. Henrietta Szold Hadassah Hebrew University School of Nursing, Jerusalem, Israel; Hadassah Medical Organization, Jerusalem, Israel. 3. Aviva Research Institute, Israel.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Although there has been a significant reduction in mortality, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide. This decline in mortality has created a significant survivor population that must manage the post curative treatment phase, in order to have an increased quality of life and well-being. This study examined the relationship between symptom interference and severity with the perception of social support in the lives of women receiving or not receiving, hormonal therapy after initial treatment. METHODS AND SAMPLE: Participants completed symptom severity and interference questionnaires, (MDASI and BCPT), a social support survey (MSPSS) and demographic and comorbidity questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the 210 women participants, higher symptom severity correlated with unemployment, living alone or being religious. Participants who were currently taking hormonal treatment (n = 84), reported a significant negative correlation between symptom severity, measured by MDASI, and social support (p = 0.006). Consequently, as symptom severity increased, perceived social support decreased. In the BCPT assessment, decreased cognitive functioning (p < 0.05), pain (p < 0.05), bladder dysfunction (p = 0.001), and reduced self-image (p < 0.01) were significantly negatively correlated with social support for those participants currently taking hormonal therapy. Participants who had not previously received hormonal therapy (n = 64), cognitive dysfunction and bladder dysfunction were negatively correlated with social support. Women with preexisting heart or pulmonary dysfunction and arthritis reported statistically significant higher levels of symptom severity and decreased perceptions of social support. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying socio-demographic variables and comorbidities that affect hormonal therapy symptom burden is essential for offering adequate support for breast cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND: Although there has been a significant reduction in mortality, breast cancer is the most frequent cancer among women worldwide. This decline in mortality has created a significant survivor population that must manage the post curative treatment phase, in order to have an increased quality of life and well-being. This study examined the relationship between symptom interference and severity with the perception of social support in the lives of women receiving or not receiving, hormonal therapy after initial treatment. METHODS AND SAMPLE: Participants completed symptom severity and interference questionnaires, (MDASI and BCPT), a social support survey (MSPSS) and demographic and comorbidity questionnaires. RESULTS: Of the 210 womenparticipants, higher symptom severity correlated with unemployment, living alone or being religious. Participants who were currently taking hormonal treatment (n = 84), reported a significant negative correlation between symptom severity, measured by MDASI, and social support (p = 0.006). Consequently, as symptom severity increased, perceived social support decreased. In the BCPT assessment, decreased cognitive functioning (p < 0.05), pain (p < 0.05), bladder dysfunction (p = 0.001), and reduced self-image (p < 0.01) were significantly negatively correlated with social support for those participants currently taking hormonal therapy. Participants who had not previously received hormonal therapy (n = 64), cognitive dysfunction and bladder dysfunction were negatively correlated with social support. Women with preexisting heart or pulmonary dysfunction and arthritis reported statistically significant higher levels of symptom severity and decreased perceptions of social support. CONCLUSIONS: Identifying socio-demographic variables and comorbidities that affect hormonal therapy symptom burden is essential for offering adequate support for breast cancer survivors.
Authors: Bradley E Aouizerat; Anand Dhruva; Steven M Paul; Bruce A Cooper; Kord M Kober; Christine Miaskowski Journal: J Pain Symptom Manage Date: 2015-05-29 Impact factor: 3.612
Authors: Candyce H Kroenke; Dawn L Hershman; Scarlett L Gomez; Sara R Adams; Elizabeth H Eldridge; Marilyn L Kwan; Isaac J Ergas; Ai Kubo; Lawrence H Kushi Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2018-04-18 Impact factor: 4.872