Effect of social support on changes in quality of life in early breast cancer patients: a longitudinal study

Abstract

Received social support decreased in both groups within 6 months. Significant effects of social support on negative changes on QOL were found. Social support tailored to women's individual needs is an essential part of the care in patients with breast cancer. For further research, longitudinal designs for longer period should be established to explore social support and its effects on QOL.

Role of the family, friends and significant others in providing social support and enhancing quality of life in cancer patients

“…In a greatly stressful event such as cancer, perceived social support can improve QOL. On the contrary, in the study conducted by Salonen et al [18], it was found, that receiving more support from network increased the risk of negative changes in global QoL. As authors suggested it is possible that women, especially in early stages of the disease, do not need or expect to receive social support from their network.…”

Mood State of Women with Breast Cancer and that of Their Spouses

“…Likewise, they constitute one of the principal sources of emotional support, given that by living together they share the effects of the treatments, which is confirmed by Salonen et al, 16 who found up to 77% support from their partners in Finnish women with breast cancer.…”

“…On the other hand, investment on the relationship grows, increasing its importance in the partner's life and the feeling that their personal interest is tied to the wellbeing of the relationship or, on the contrary, ʻthe partner can be affected'. 16 To conclude, it is highlighted that women and their spouses present mood alterations. The Tension and Fatigue subscales, although affecting the couple, their means differ significantly, while the Depression, Cholera and Vigor subscales show very close values.…”

Rural disadvantage in breast cancer health-care service use and outcomes: quantifying the effects of individual risk factors and health service risk factors

“…The women had moderately high levels on all three aspects of social support prior to diagnosis and there was little variation at the two subsequent measurement points. The stability of social support in the current analyses is inconsistent with the results from previous studies which showed levels of social support which either decreased within six months [218] or increased in the first 12 weeks of a social support intervention and then decreased [219]. Neither of these studies had pre-diagnosis measures, however, and their measurement timeframe was relatively short.…”

“…Little evidence has been presented that examines either the longitudinal impact of social support on HRQOL in women with breast cancer, or changes over time in social support and HRQOL throughout the course of the disease. A small number of previous studies which have reported on patterns of social support associated with breast cancer have found that levels of social support fluctuated over time [218,219]. However, these studies did not have information on pre-diagnosis levels of social support and analyses were based on short follow-up times (up to 6 months).…”