Coping Skills Among African-American Breast Cancer Survivors

Abstract

Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer, particularly African-American women, face multiple barriers to survival. Although research exists regarding the unique barriers faced by African-American breast cancer survivors, there has been little research into the various coping needs or coping strategies used among African-American women. The purpose of this article is to provide information from an exploratory study of data investigating the coping skills of 30 African-American women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Quantitative data was collected via a self-report questionnaire based on the pretest of the Breast Cancer Survivors Toolbox. The study sample was evaluated to determine overall coping skills followed by an analysis of individual categories of coping skills (e.g., communication, information seeking, negotiating, social support systems, cultural norms). Although limited by the non-random sampling technique and self-report, the results of the study support the need for further research regarding the use of interventions and strategies tailored to improve coping skills used by this population.

A qualitative exploration of the unmet information needs of Chinese advanced cancer patients and their informal caregivers

“…Cancer has become one of the leading causes of death in China [ 3 ]. Patients with cancer often experience more feelings of shock, fear, uncertainty, and loss of control than those with many other diagnoses [ 4 ], and appropriate informational support is vital in helping cancer patients cope with negative feelings and conditions [ 5 , 6 ]. Other positive effects of adequate and appropriate informational support have also been identified in several studies, including increased involvement in the decision-making process [ 7 ], increased satisfaction with treatment choices [ 8 ], and better quality of life [ 9 ].…”

Spiritual well-being and depressive symptoms among cancer survivors

“…Depression symptoms may result from an inability to successfully cope with a cancer diagnosis and treatment [28]. The relevance for coping support across cancer survivorship is explained, in part, by the stress and coping theory [29, 30].…”

Coping with breast cancer: Reflections from Chinese American, Korean American, and Mexican American women.

“…Prior studies among nonethnic minority women have identified several coping strategies relevant across the cancer survivorship continuum, including faith, fatalism, optimism, fighting spirit, information seeking, denial, and avoidance (Towsley et al, 2007). It is noteworthy that an inability to successfully cope with cancer may lead to significant psychosocial distress (C. Davis, Rust, & Darby, 2013), which may affect a cancer survivor's ability to manage their posttreatment care and thus decrease quality of life in the aftermath of the diagnosis (Vachon, 2006). In this regard, the literature has indicated that approximately one third of BCS experience significant distress and/or impairment of functioning in their lives (Coyne, Palmer, Shapiro, Thompson, & DeMichele, 2004;Hegel et al, 2006).…”