Following skin cancer, breast cancer is the most common cancer among women, as approximately 12% of women will develop invasive breast cancer throughout their lifetime (Ma, Jemal 2013). After being diagnosed with breast cancer, women face major psychological and social challenges to coping with the disease. Many studies have examined the role of social support in cancer progression. It is commonly found that having a strong social support system aids individuals during the course of their illness (Dunkel-Schetter 1984). This review will specifically question if the various forms of social support are always a positive influence on an individual’s ability to cope with breast cancer. For the most part the literature indicates that a strong social support system is beneficial for the well being of the cancer patient. However, as I will explain during this review not all forms of social support are beneficial, in fact some instances of social support may be detrimental and can produce conflict among members of the support group. This finding is not common, however it is important to mention in order to understand the role of social support as a whole. Through reviewing five academic studies I will describe the various forms of social support and their subsequent effects on coping with breast cancer.
Through looking at the literature on the role of social support during the course of breast cancer, I found that most studies showed social support as having a positive effect on individuals’ health and well being. The studies showed that there are many different forms of social support, each with their own positive effects on coping with breast cancer. This is demonstrated through the academic articles: “Social Support, Accommodation to ...
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...l, A. (2013) Breast Cancer Metastasis and Drug Resistance. 1-18
Snyder, K.S., Pearse W., (2010). Crisis, Social Support, and the Family Response: Exploring the Narratives of Young Breast Cancer Survivors. Journal of Psychosocial Oncology. 28(4) doi: 10.1080/07347332.2010.484830
Taleghani, F., Babazadeh, S., Mosavi S., Tavazohi H., (2012) The effects of peer support group on promoting quality of life in patients with breast cancer. Iran J Nursery Midwifery Res. 17(2): 125-130. http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3696969/
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Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women. In 2008, more than one million women underwent a diagnostic evaluation for suspected breast cancer. Approximately 182,500 women of the more than one million that received an evaluation also received a positive diagnosis (Montgomery, 2010). Risk factors linked to Breast Cancer include: gender, age, family history, prior breast cancer, previous biopsy, race and ethnicity, breast density, and long menstrual history because of prolonged hormonal stimulation. Modifiable related risk factors also include hormone replacement therapy, alcohol, weight, and physical activity (Giurescu, Hu, Obembe, 2010). The period between the initial discovery of a breast lump until diagnosis is known to cause considerable suffering and distress among patients (Liao, Chen, Chen, Chen, 2009). Patients need to receive care during this period as “unresolved distress may lead to future mental health and adjustment difficulties” (Lally, 2010). Patients with suspected breast cancer who received informational and psychological supportive care during their diagnosis period have an improved psychological status when compared to patients who did not receive supportive care. The care received should be both culturally sensitive and individualized for each patient. In addition, patients care should be coupled with continuous evaluation of psychological and emotional status. A study was conducted to investigate the effect of supportive care on anxiety levels of women during the diagnostic period. Supportive care included evaluation of the participants health care and support nee...
Throughout the duration of research paper, the researcher was able to receive first-hand testimony from a breast cancer survivor via email. The interview included questions such as: (1) the year and stage the breast cancer was diagnosed; (2) the level of awareness prior to diagnosis; (3) treatments used to combat cancer (chemotherapy, radiation or a combination of both); (4) the present condition of the breast cancer; and (5) the treatment, prevention, or examinations used to keep breast cancer in remission. The interviewee (remains nameless) was diagnosed on July 5, 2002 at Jefferson Hospital from a yearly mammogram. Her breast cancer was diagnosed in stage I, less than 1 mm in diameter (Office of Women’s Health n.d). She exclaimed she was very aware of the heredity risk in her family because of previous family members diagnosed with breast cancer. She received two lumpectomies, following a port was placed in her arm for easier access to her vein during chemotherapy. She received four rounds of chemotherapy, each spaced out by three weeks; she also underwent six weeks of r...
Tulsky, J. A. (2005). Interventions to Enhance Communication among Patients, Providers, and Families. JOURNAL OF PALLIATIVE MEDICINE (8), 1. S95 - S102.
A cancer diagnosis can significantly change your life and the lives of your family in various ways. Hearing the news “you’ve been diagnosed with cancer” leave patients and their families in a whirlwind of emotions. The initial shock of this diagnosis leaves feelings of sadness, denial, frustration, confusion, fear, anger, and often times the “why me?” feeling. Thoughts start going through your head regarding how this affects yourself, your family, and your everyday life.
... of life. Many factors may affect decisions such as age, menopausal status, and stage of cancer. Culture, values, lifestyle, and support systems are other factors that have impact on the woman’s response and outlook when facing this disease process. Ongoing and long-term supportive care is important to meet the patient’s needs. Health care providers are responsible to provide education, support, and advocacy for women experiencing breast disorders (LeMone et al., 2011).
...you feel safe and comfortable. Another coping mechanism is keeping busy and active, as well as spending time in nature or composing a journal. These simple tasks takes one's mind off of the diagnosis of cancer and all of the possible outcomes. However the most important way to cope is to fully understand about the cancer and how it is affecting the body.
...ing online counseling also tends to break down some of the barriers that typically prevent potential clients from showing up at the office do. Online counseling also allows for more flexibility, both for the counselor and the client. The same holds true for online supervision.technology gives those clients the ability to access services in nontraditional ways and in ways that work for their schedule. The advent of social media allows counselors to become their own advertising specialists instead of hiring one” (Shallcross, 2011).
Not only does cancer have an emotional impact on the individual, but family caregivers can have an emotional
I have been aware that my great grandmother had breast cancer but until I started researching for this paper I didn’t really understand what exactly breast cancer was. I know it is bad and if left untreated or caught too late it is very fatal, I am really into a show called "Parenthood" and one of the characters is diagnosed. This show is so well produced that it brings you into it, I feel like I am part of the family. The character's name is Kristina, and she's a mom of three. She is in her late thirties to early forties when she has her last child and shortly after the baby is born she goes in for a mammogram and it turns out to be not what she expected. Breast cancer is not something that you know is there, it comes out of nowhere and it is not pai...
Today, many psychologists feel that psychological therapy can give cancer patients’ a longer life. The first to take this stance was Psychiatrist David Spiegel M.D., of Stanford University School of Medicine, in a 1989 study Spiegel gathered patients once a week to discuss there feelings about the cancer and here they received support from other cancer sufferers. “When Spiegel followed up a decade later, he discovered that patients who had participated in the sessions had survived an average of 18 months longer than those in the control group” (Clay,2000). It is felt that if you can tap into a patients mind and help them deal with the cancer by dealing in the mental aspect of it that it will be beneficial to that patient in the long run. Cancer takes a large toll on your body as well as your mind, so if the physical aspect is challenging, the psychological aspect something that a patient should try to excel at like mind over body. Although many cancer patients use this treatment it is not absolutely sure it will lengthen the life span. But the story of Kip Little will beg to differ. Kip, was a cancer patient who had been diagnosed with breast cancer in 1986 and was supposed to be dead a decade ago. After, Kip went through her mastectomy; she met a psychologist at the Ontario Cancer Institute and began working with him and other cancer patients . They patients would gather there to talk about their feelings, practice ways of relaxing and find ways to cope with their pain and any other problems. Then in 1990, cancer returned to Kip, and she was given only a short time to live. Instead of physical treatment, Kip used the relaxing techniques and similar exercises for the mind. Using all these techni...
... middle of paper ... ... James, H., & John, R. (2012). Well being after the Virginia Tech Mass Murder: The relative effectiveness of face-to-face and virtual interactions in providing support to survivors.
Breast cancer is a malignant tumor that starts in the cells of the breast. A malignant tumor is a group of cancer cells that can grow into (invade) surrounding tissues or spread (metastasize) to distant areas of the body. The disease occurs almost entirely in women, but men can get it, too (What is Breast Cancer, 2015). The purpose of this evaluation is to introduce the audience to breast cancer; discuss risk factors, symptoms, diagnosis; address the mind- body connection of breast cancer and suggestions for prevention and treatment; and provide an overview of breast cancer in social cognitive theory framework. Lastly, one alternative intervention for breast cancer will be highlighted in accordance with the social cognitive
"Coping Interventions for Parents of Children Newly Diagnosed with Cancer: An Evidence Review with Implications for Clinical Practice and Future Research.(Report)." - Pediatric Nursing. N.p., n.d. Web. 11 Mar. 2014.