A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of Lesbian and Heterosexual Patients With Breast Cancer

Matthews, Alicia K.; Peterman, Amy H.; Delaney, Patty; Menard, Lyssa; Brandenburg, Dana

doi:10.1188/02.onf.1455-1462

Cited by 65 publications

(61 citation statements)

References 18 publications

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“…Along with the development of the concept of holism, SHC was included as a basic component of nursing care as well, while in nursing research and education remarkable advances were recorded: models for the assessment of cancer patients' sexuality were developed and, lately, promising intervention projects were implemented for the provision of intensive SHC [2,4,13,24,34,35,45,58,59,62,67,71,72,74,75,91,93,103,106,124,125]. Since then, several studies have concluded with some important findings: the majority of cancer patients report sexual issues to be a priority [79,80]; concerns about sexual function are augmented and sustained after the experience of cancer [97]; a remarkable number of individuals are willing to discuss sexual concerns with their health providers [110], while trained oncology nurses are considered to be explicitly helpful with patients' sexual problems [4,75].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of sexual health care in patients with cancer: critical review of the evidence

Kotronoulas

Papadopoulou

Patiraki

2009

Support Care Cancer

133

112

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Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of sexual health care in patients with cancer: critical review of the evidence

Kotronoulas

Papadopoulou

Patiraki

2009

Support Care Cancer

133

112

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“…This neglect is particularly important in light of research finding that, among sexual minority women with breast cancer, openness about sexual orientation was associated with lower levels of emotional distress, although discordance in level of disclosure between patients and their partners was associated with greater distress (Boehmer, Freund, & Linde, 2005). Moreover, Matthews, Peterman, Delaney, Menard, and Brandenburg's (2002) focus group study comparing lesbian and heterosexual breast cancer survivors found that lesbian survivors reported less satisfaction with their treatment compared to heterosexual women.…”

Section: Sexual Minority Women and Breast Cancer Researchmentioning

confidence: 99%

“Does That Make Me A Woman?”

Rubin

Tanenbaum

2011

Psychology of Women Quarterly

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Feminist scholars and activists writing about breast cancer care among women have highlighted the sexist and heterosexist assumptions often embedded in the medical management of breast cancer, and of mastectomy in particular. Despite these contributions, and some speculation that sexual minority women may be less interested in breast reconstruction, limited research explores sexual minority women's lived experience of mastectomy and decision making about reconstruction. Thirteen lesbian and/or bisexual women who had undergone mastectomy for treatment of breast cancer participated in individual qualitative interviews exploring decisions to have, or not have, breast reconstruction. Reasons for/against reconstruction reflected themes identified in prior studies among heterosexual women. Although participants described sexual, gender, and political identities and orientations as influences on their decision making, for most participants, experiences with physicians who encouraged reconstruction and concerns about stigmatization of illness in romantic, professional, and social contexts were also central. Findings are interpreted through feminist dis/ability, medicalization, and existential frameworks.

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“…Additionally, members of the lesbian community have been shown to require unique forms of social support after diagnosis with breast cancer (Boehmer, Freund, & Linde, 2005). Further, this population reports a lower satisfaction with the care they receive from breast cancer providers (Matthews, Peterman, Delaney, Menard, & Brandenburg, 2002). These findings elucidate the need for research related to end-of-life communication with single and lesbian patient populations.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 94%

Advance Care Planning Decisions of Women with Cancer: Provider Recognition and Stability of Choices

Dizon

Schutzer

Politi

et al. 2009

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

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Our prior research found that 43% of women with cancer relied on more than one person for advance care planning (ACP) and support. We conducted this follow-up study to address the stability of patient choices around ACP and providers' knowledge of patients' named supports. Living participants from the original survey were recontacted and asked to participate in this study. Of the original 215 participants, 113 (66%) participated. The median time between surveys was 23 months. At resurvey, 33 (26%) patients did not name the same person to all three roles. Controlling for age, race, partner status, tumor type, and remission status, naming one person for all three roles was associated with higher concordance at follow-up for primary support (PS) and health care proxy (HCP). Comparing patients' and providers' responses (N = 162), concordance was 71% for emergency contact (EC), 60% for PS, but only 51% for HCP. In this follow-up study, a smaller percentage of women named more than one person to the roles of EC, PS, and HCP compared to the original survey. Of concern, concordance between patient and provider was low, particularly for HCP. This was notable especially when responses changed over the interval time, and when ACP and PS roles were split between multiple people. Understanding the network of people who serve ACP and support roles may be important as we seek to improve the process of ACP and surrogate decision making.

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A Qualitative Exploration of the Experiences of Lesbian and Heterosexual Patients With Breast Cancer

Abstract: Study findings may help improve healthcare services for lesbians with cancer.

Cited by 65 publications

References 18 publications

Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of sexual health care in patients with cancer: critical review of the evidence

Nurses’ knowledge, attitudes, and practices regarding provision of sexual health care in patients with cancer: critical review of the evidence

“Does That Make Me A Woman?”

Advance Care Planning Decisions of Women with Cancer: Provider Recognition and Stability of Choices

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