Alicia G Dugan1, Ragan E Decker2, Sara Namazi3, Jennifer M Cavallari3,4, Keith M Bellizzi5, Thomas O Blank5, Ellen A Dornelas6, Susan H Tannenbaum7, William S Shaw3, Helen Swede4, Andrew L Salner6. 1. Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA. adugan@uchc.edu. 2. Department of Psychological Sciences, University of Connecticut, 406 Babbidge Road, Unit 1020, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA. 3. Department of Medicine, Division of Occupational and Environmental Medicine, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA. 4. Department of Public Health Sciences, University of Connecticut School of Medicine, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA. 5. Department of Human Development and Family Sciences, University of Connecticut, 348 Mansfield Road, Unit 1058, Storrs, CT, 06269, USA. 6. Hartford Hospital, Hartford HealthCare Cancer Institute, 80 Seymour St, Hartford, CT, 06102, USA. 7. Neag Comprehensive Cancer Center, UConn Health, 263 Farmington Ave, Farmington, CT, 06030, USA.
Abstract
PURPOSE: A substantial portion of breast cancer survivors are active in the workforce, yet factors that allow survivors to balance work with cancer management and to return to work are poorly understood. We examined breast cancer survivors' most valued/desired types of support in early survivorship. METHODS: Seventy-six employed breast cancer survivors answered an open-ended survey question assessing the most valued/desired support to receive from healthcare providers during early survivorship to manage work and health. Cutrona's (Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 9:3-14, 1990) optimal matching theory and House's (1981) conceptualization of social support types informed our analyses. Data were content-analyzed to identify themes related to support, whether needed support was received or not, and the types of healthcare providers who provided support. RESULTS: We identified six themes related to types of support. Informational support was valued and mostly received by survivors, but they expected more guidance related to work. Emotional support was valued but lacking, attributed mainly to providers' lack of personal connection and mental health support. Instrumental (practical) support was valued but received by a small number of participants. Quality of life support to promote well-being and functionality was valued and often received. Other themes included non-specific support and non-support. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands our understanding of how breast cancer survivors perceive work-related support from healthcare professionals. Findings will inform targeted interventions designed to improve the support provided by healthcare professionals. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Breast cancer survivors managing work and health challenges may benefit by having their unmet support needs fulfilled.
PURPOSE: A substantial portion of breast cancer survivors are active in the workforce, yet factors that allow survivors to balance work with cancer management and to return to work are poorly understood. We examined breast cancer survivors' most valued/desired types of support in early survivorship. METHODS: Seventy-six employed breast cancer survivors answered an open-ended survey question assessing the most valued/desired support to receive from healthcare providers during early survivorship to manage work and health. Cutrona's (Journal of Social and Clinical Psychology 9:3-14, 1990) optimal matching theory and House's (1981) conceptualization of social support types informed our analyses. Data were content-analyzed to identify themes related to support, whether needed support was received or not, and the types of healthcare providers who provided support. RESULTS: We identified six themes related to types of support. Informational support was valued and mostly received by survivors, but they expected more guidance related to work. Emotional support was valued but lacking, attributed mainly to providers' lack of personal connection and mental health support. Instrumental (practical) support was valued but received by a small number of participants. Quality of life support to promote well-being and functionality was valued and often received. Other themes included non-specific support and non-support. CONCLUSIONS: This study expands our understanding of how breast cancer survivors perceive work-related support from healthcare professionals. Findings will inform targeted interventions designed to improve the support provided by healthcare professionals. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Breast cancer survivors managing work and health challenges may benefit by having their unmet support needs fulfilled.
Authors: Deborah S Main; Carolyn T Nowels; Tia A Cavender; Martine Etschmaier; John F Steiner Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2005-11 Impact factor: 3.894
Authors: Sietske J Tamminga; Angela G E M de Boer; Jos H A M Verbeek; Monique H W Frings-Dresen Journal: Scand J Work Environ Health Date: 2011-10-10 Impact factor: 5.024
Authors: Deborah K Mayer; Larissa Nekhlyudov; Claire F Snyder; Janette K Merrill; Dana S Wollins; Lawrence N Shulman Journal: J Oncol Pract Date: 2014-10-14 Impact factor: 3.840
Authors: Kimberly D Miller; Leticia Nogueira; Angela B Mariotto; Julia H Rowland; K Robin Yabroff; Catherine M Alfano; Ahmedin Jemal; Joan L Kramer; Rebecca L Siegel Journal: CA Cancer J Clin Date: 2019-06-11 Impact factor: 508.702
Authors: Janet S de Moor; Kisha Coa; Erin E Kent; Carmen Moten; Sarah Kobrin; Cheryl Altice; K Robin Yabroff Journal: J Cancer Surviv Date: 2018-10-03 Impact factor: 4.442
Authors: Jacques Ferlay; Isabelle Soerjomataram; Rajesh Dikshit; Sultan Eser; Colin Mathers; Marise Rebelo; Donald Maxwell Parkin; David Forman; Freddie Bray Journal: Int J Cancer Date: 2014-10-09 Impact factor: 7.396
Authors: Saskia F A Duijts; Martine P van Egmond; Evelien Spelten; Peter van Muijen; Johannes R Anema; Allard J van der Beek Journal: Psychooncology Date: 2013-12-23 Impact factor: 3.894