Breast Cancer Research Today is a free monthly online journal that collates and summarizes the latest research about Breast Cancer, including details on symptoms, genetics, screening, treatment, information.

Defining social support systems for women with breast cancer.

Gass JS, Weitzen S, Clark M, Dizon DS

Breast Health Center, Program in Women's Oncology, Women & Infants' Hospital of Rhode Island, The Warren Alpert Medical School of Brown University, 101 Dudley St, Providence, RI 02905, USA. jgass@wihri.org

BACKGROUND: Providers often assume that a patient relies on the same person for primary support (PS), as emergency contact, and as health care proxy. We questioned how often this is not the case in women with breast cancer. METHODS: We questioned women who were in treatment or follow-up evaluation after a cancer diagnosis who they would name as primary support, emergency contact, and health care proxy. RESULTS: One hundred thirty-five women with breast cancer participated and 75% were married or partnered. More than 40% of women did not name the same person to these distinct roles. Even for women in relationships, almost 50% did not name their partner to all 3 support roles. CONCLUSIONS: A large proportion of breast cancer patients named different persons to these distinct support roles. By further defining the roles that social support networks play, we can identify strategies for including these support providers in the care models for women living with cancer.

Published 10 September 2007 in Am J Surg, 194(4): 501-3.
Full-text of this article is available online (may require subscription).

© 2004-2008 Breast Cancer Research Today. All Rights Reserved.