Women who have survived breast cancer surgeries continue to have many challenges to face as they continue through life. Particularly, younger women who have survived cancer are known to have a variety of additional concerns as they have family and career challenges to think about. A study by Germino et al. (2012) looked at these stressors and implemented an experimental design to help women cope with these life concerns. This paper serves as a critique of this study and its future implications.
The theoretical framework of this study was clearly established with information regarding African American and Caucasian Breast Cancer Survivors (BCS) not having the resources needed to efficiently manage life after survivorship. The study presented many characteristics of treatment that could cause uncertainty in the survivors that are part of the enduring physical, emotional and social issues cancer survivors face that impact their quality of life. In particular, younger women (under the age of 50) were in consideration for this study as having more uncertainties in life than those who were older. Learning to cope in ways that can help these women get rid of intrusive thoughts, stressors and fears was the aim of the study.
The researchers were straight forward in their hypothesis as they not only wanted to prove that the Younger Breast Cancer Survivor Uncertainty Management Intervention (YS-UMI) taught strategies to younger BCSs for managing uncertainties in their lives, but they also wanted to show that this program taught BCS women to have more education and information about breast cancer specific concerns in order to yield more positive psychological outcomes. This intervention group is compared to an attention control condition, and overall, includes an adequate sample size of both Caucasian (196) and African American (117) women under the age of 50 and considered an adequate representation of the female population of BCSs.
This was a true experimental study with two groups (intervention and control) randomly assigned. The data was collected in the Positive and Negative Affect Scale (PANAS), a renowned tool for collecting data, though the researchers could have better outlined the details of how effective this scale is in relaying information. Research methodology design was both simple and easy to understand while it supported the stated purpose of the study making specific discrepancies between the intervention and control groups. Ethical considerations were kept as moral principals including autonomy, non-maleficence, beneficence and justice were maintained. The interventions included specific cognitive and behavioral strategies to promote positive life changes.
Callaghan, Erin. "Achieving Balance: A Case Study Examination of an Adolescent Coping With Life-Limiting Cancer." 24.6 (2007): 334-339. Print. .
For example, to make people aware that breast cancer can affect even young women, thefaceofbreastcancer.com printed a poster portraying the faces of fifty different women all under the age of 41 who have been diagnosed with breast cancer. The words “Your sister,” “You,” “Your friend,” are highlighted sporadically throughout the poster. The phrase “Have a lump or pain? Regardless of age, CHECK IT OUT NOW!” is also highlighted in the midst of all the women’s ...
Rachel was 40 years old when she moved from India to USA with her husband and four kids to fulfill their American dreams. She knew little english and had great difficulty fitting into the new environment in America. She was unable to work because she had to take care of her 10- month-old daughter. Her husband, who was a lawyer in India, was now working at Forman Mills for minimum wage. Recently, Rachel was diagnosed with stage II breast cancer. Her doctors said her tumor is almost seven years old and if she has routine check ups, her survival rate will be higher. Rachel did not have a health insurance and because of this, she postponed necessary care and avoided preventive care. Even though she gets basic treatments from Public Healthcare Center it is not enough for this chronic disease. Her family is helpless; if her husband took insurance coverage from workplace there would be little money left for their daily expenses after paying for insurance premiums. Her husband is now planning to take another job so he can take workplace insurance and save his wife.
Janz, K. N., Majahid, S. M., Hawley, T. S., Griggs, J. J., Hamilton, S. A., Katz, J. S. (2008). Racial/ethnic differences in adequacy of information and support for women with breast cancer. American Cancer Society, 113, 1058-67.
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...
Irish playwright, George Bernard, once said that “Life isn't about finding yourself. Life is about creating yourself.” Can someone truly “create themselves” when his or her life’s quality and longevity are in jeopardy? It is very sad to think about children who have been diagnosed with cancer and that if they lose their battle, may never get to live a full, healthy life like their peers. According to the Childhood Cancer Foundation, a staggering 175,000 children are diagnosed with cancer worldwide each year; for 25% of them, the disease will be fatal. An estimated 13,500 children and adolescents younger than 20 years of age are diagnosed annually with some form of cancer in the United States alone. Those who do make it through their adolescent years have a greater risk of developing chronic health problems or secondary cancers in their later years. It goes without saying that the disease creates much hardship, pain and suffering. That being so, support for families and patients going through this hardship is very critical. There are many organizations that strive to be that backbone for these families. The Make a Wish Foundation and the Ronald McDonald House for example believe that, if a child is exposed to positive experiences and atmospheres, it will have an overall positive effect on his or her health and wellbeing. These support groups provide great opportunities for struggling families, but ultimately that can only go so far. Cancer not only compromises the patient’s physical health, but also affects the social, mental, economic, and emotional well-being of their entire family.
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.
In life we come across many struggles and hardships. Some have more struggles then others but we all have them. Breast cancer could be one of those struggles whether male or female. Breast cancer is not just something that a woman can get like most people believe. Anyone can get it. In this essay you will about what breast cancer is, some symptoms, how it is treated, and my personal experience with it. Most people do not know what breast cancer is they just know that it is cancer in the breast.
The implications of becoming aware that you have been afflicted with this disease may extend far beyond just a physical condition. Learning that you have cancer can significantly affect a person’s mental, and emotional health. This could cause tension in social relationships, finances, or other lifestyle choices. Becoming more anxious or depressed can considerable hinder a person’s ability to make rational decisions when it concerns their well being. For these reasons, it is crucial for one to seek professional help for all aspects of their lives when they become aware of any serious changes. Although ovarian cancer is an especially detrimental disease, it does not necessarily mean one’s quality of life must be affected; and the stigma of receiving mental/physical help should never inhibit a person’s ability to live a happy and healthy life.
“Just take my hand, together we can do it, I’m gonna love you through it.” (I’m Gonna Love You Through It- Martina McBride). Breast cancer is an awful disease that will change your life in a single moment. ”Everything in my life was turned upside-down. I really had a wonderful life; A husband, three children. And breast cancer came along and just smashed my world” (Janelle’s Journey). Breast cancer is an aggressive war that takes a great amount of fighting to survive. “You go from being perfectly healthy, to feeling like, ‘okay, I’m dying’. It started a whirlwind of things that I never anticipated having to go through.” (Bonnie’s Story- Beyond The Shock). Did you know that the youngest person ever to have been diagnosed with breast cancer
Rosen, Leo and Rosen, Gloria. (2011).Learn About Cancer. American Cancer Society. Retrieved November 26, 2015 from http://www.cancer.org/cancer/breastcancer/index
At the end of the experiment I will complete the last two steps in the scientific process. I will analyze the data gained and will formulate a conclusion. I don’t think much research has been done of the effects of Positive Psychology on those people with a higher than average level of happiness, since the catalyst for this research came from the desire to augment pathological treatment for depression. It will be interesting to see the impact, if any, on my current level of happiness.
Works Cited • www.mentalhealth.org.uk • www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov • www.rethink.org.uk • www.psychologytoday.com www.hope-health-recovery.org.uk - www.hope-health- • www.nami.org.uk
Historically speaking breast cancer has been around for hundreds of years. Thankfully the treatment has improved. Patients who get the cancer removed and take care of themselves after, for example, by exercising and eating healthy, will live longer. There are many risks that increase the likelihood of developing breast cancer, for instance, age, family history, and race. A women who made history with breast cancer was Betty Ford, Betty was one of the first lady’s to speak openly about her disease. Betty encouraged women who have been affected with the disease to go to their doctor as soon as possible and told women who had shared that they didn’t have breast cancer to do self breast exams regularly and get mammograms. She also said when women get diagnosed with it don’t be embarrassed. Treatments in the past were pretty good and quite the same compared to the treatments given to people now, for instance, mastectomy’s which was the primary...
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