Lilli Ann Perez1, Lisalinda Natividad1, William Chung2, Robert L Haddock3, Lari Wenzel4, F Allan Hubbell4. 1. Family Pacific. 2. Health Policy Research Institute. 3. Cancer Research Center of Guam, University of Guam. 4. Health Policy Research Institute ; University of California, Irvine, Department of Medicine and Chao Family Comprehensive Cancer Center.
Abstract
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the types of social support used by Chamorro (indigenous) breast cancer survivors on Guam. METHODS: We assessed social support use among 25 self-reported Chamorro women with a diagnosis of breast cancer through interviews and construction of genograms and ecomaps -pictorial displays of the women's family relationships, medical history, and their social networks. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 54.5 years. The average number of years since the diagnosis of breast cancer was 7.8 years. Respondents indicated that the nuclear family was the most important form of social support (34.2%). Indeed, nuclear family and other types of informal systems were the most common type of social support used by the women (60.2%). Formal support services, clubs, and organizations were reported by 17.9% of participants while spiritual and/or religious resources were reported by 21.9% of them. CONCLUSION: These Chamorro breast cancer survivors depended largely on family for social support. Support from family, although informal, should be recognized as a pivotal factor in recovery and survivorship. Future directions could incorporate formal and informal mechanisms to utilize this natural support resource.
PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to assess the types of social support used by Chamorro (indigenous) breast cancer survivors on Guam. METHODS: We assessed social support use among 25 self-reported Chamorro women with a diagnosis of breast cancer through interviews and construction of genograms and ecomaps -pictorial displays of the women's family relationships, medical history, and their social networks. RESULTS: The mean age of the participants was 54.5 years. The average number of years since the diagnosis of breast cancer was 7.8 years. Respondents indicated that the nuclear family was the most important form of social support (34.2%). Indeed, nuclear family and other types of informal systems were the most common type of social support used by the women (60.2%). Formal support services, clubs, and organizations were reported by 17.9% of participants while spiritual and/or religious resources were reported by 21.9% of them. CONCLUSION: These Chamorro breast cancer survivors depended largely on family for social support. Support from family, although informal, should be recognized as a pivotal factor in recovery and survivorship. Future directions could incorporate formal and informal mechanisms to utilize this natural support resource.
Entities:
Keywords:
breast cancer; social support; survivorship
Authors: Annabelle L Hemsing Cruz; William Chung; Jimi Huh; Lee A Blas; Lee Ann C Cruz; F Allan Hubbell; Lari Wenzel Journal: Cancer Detect Prev Date: 2008-03-14