Functional status of long-term breast cancer survivors: demonstrating chronicity.

A sample of 223 breast cancer survivors 16 months to 32 years from their original surgery for breast cancer were surveyed to assess their current physical, psychological, and social functional status. Although general measures of functioning indicated high physical, psychological, and social functional status, measures specific to breast cancer diagnosis and treatment indicated problems and concerns. The chronic nature of the illness was demonstrated by many respondents' continued numbness, pain, swelling, and other physical effects of the surgery; continued thoughts about recurrence and nervousness associated with medical follow-up; and concerns regarding health insurance coverage and the willingness of others to discuss the cancer and its long-term effects. The data revealed that length of survivorship is not necessarily associated with the presence of fewer or lesser concerns about the cancer. Social workers and other health care professionals can help survivors understand and normalize these effects.