Managing the impact of posttreatment fatigue on the family: Breast cancer survivors share their experiences.

Oktay, Julianne S.; Bellin, Melissa H.; Scarvalone, Susan; Appling, Sue; Helzlsouer, Kathy J.

doi:10.1037/a0023947

Cited by 18 publications

(14 citation statements)

References 21 publications

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“…The literature describes this concept as a form of ‘dyadic coping’ and it explains the method for which women and partners learn the skills required to accommodate the stress experienced as a result of illness [39, 54]. This perspective is supported by several studies indicating that the psychological distress experienced by cancer survivors and their partners is interdependent with the recognition that cancer is a ‘family’ disease [27, 44, 54, 112, 113]. However, there are few Australian studies that highlight the unique needs of partners during breast cancer survivorship [114–116].…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…While the priority for survivorship care has been targeted towards women who are recovering from breast cancer, there is a recognition that the partners of women may also be considerably impacted by the experience of a breast cancer diagnosis [27–30]. Commonly reported concerns of partners during survivorship include a lack of information and education about survivorship, difficulty managing the expectations they have of themselves, difficulty coping with changes in the relationship with their partner, and problems re-adjusting to their previous role and responsibilities within the family [27, 31–33].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Commonly reported concerns of partners during survivorship include a lack of information and education about survivorship, difficulty managing the expectations they have of themselves, difficulty coping with changes in the relationship with their partner, and problems re-adjusting to their previous role and responsibilities within the family [27, 31–33]. The shared experience of breast cancer may also create ongoing psychological issues for partners long after the cessation of treatment, including emotional withdrawal, guilt, anxiety, depression, difficulty communicating feelings of loss and grief, and fears of disease recurrence [5, 34, 35].…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A dyadic approach to understanding the impact of breast cancer on relationships between partners during early survivorship

2016

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BackgroundThe shared impact of breast cancer for women and their male partners is emerging as an important consideration during the experience of a breast cancer diagnosis, particularly during survivorship. This study aimed to explore the experiences of women and their partners during early survivorship and contributes a range of insights into the lives of those intimately affected by breast cancer.MethodsIn-depth interviews were completed with Australian women survivors of breast cancer (n = 8) and their partners (n = 8), between six months and five years following cessation of treatment. Questions included a focus on the women and their partners’ daily experiences during early survivorship, including the management of ongoing symptoms, engagement in leisure and social interests, returning to work, communicating with each other, maintenance of the current relationship and other important roles and responsibilities. Thematic analysis was employed to determine key themes arising from the dyadic accounts of women and their partners’ experiences during early breast cancer survivorship.ResultsWomen and their partners experienced many changes to their previous roles, responsibilities and relationships during early breast cancer survivorship. Couples also reported a range of communication, intimacy and sexuality concerns which greatly impacted their interactions with each other, adding further demands on the relationship. Three significant themes were determined: (1) a disconnection within the relationship - this was expressed as the woman survivor of breast cancer needing to prioritise her own needs, sometimes at the expense of her partner and the relationship; (2) reformulating the relationship - this reflects the strategies used by couples to negotiate changes within the relationship; and (3) support is needed to negotiate the future of the relationship - couples emphasised the need for additional support and resources to assist them in maintaining their relationship during early survivorship.ConclusionIt can be concluded that the early survivorship period represents a crucial time for both women and their partners and there are currently limited options available to meet their shared needs and preferences for support. Findings indicate that a suitable model of care underpinned by a biopsychosocial framework, access to comprehensive assessment, timely support and the provision of targeted resources are urgently needed to assist women and their partners during this critical time.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

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A dyadic approach to understanding the impact of breast cancer on relationships between partners during early survivorship

2016

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“…Yet we know that persistent fatigue after treatment often erodes the survivor's ability to fill family roles and functions, which in turn may increase stress and exacerbate fatigue (Coggin & Shaw-Perry, 2006;Mallinger, Griggs, & Shields, 2006;Maly, Umezawa, Leake, & Silliman, 2005;Radina & Armer, 2001). Fatigue itself creates complex issues for women as they and their family members struggle to come to terms with the meaning of fatigue including fears that the fatigue signals a possible recurrence (Oktay, Bellin, Scarvalone, Appling & Helzlsouer, 2011). Family interventions may have potential to improve persistent fatigue, based on their effectiveness in a Downloaded by [UNSW Library] at 04:41 11 August 2015 wide variety of cancer outcomes.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 97%

A Qualitative Description of a Family Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors Experiencing Fatigue

Bellin

Oktay

Scarvalone

et al. 2015

Journal of Psychosocial Oncology

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Breast cancer survivors commonly experience fatigue, but family-focused interventions as a means to reduce fatigue are understudied. This qualitative study explored the experience of adding a family component to a multimodal group intervention for fatigue. Data were collected from group observations, in-depth interviews, and debriefing sessions with the program social worker. Fourteen survivors completed the family intervention (mean age 57 years) with a family member or close friend. Four themes associated with the family intervention were identified: (a) importance of family inclusion, (b) education of family members about fatigue,

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“… 10 Additional consequences are significant health care costs, staying off work or sick leave and lost earnings and productivity. 11 - 16 …”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Developing an Integrative Treatment Program for Cancer-Related Fatigue Using Stakeholder Engagement – A Qualitative Study

et al. 2017

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Background: Although cancer-related fatigue (CRF) has gained increased attention in the past decade, it remains difficult to treat. An integrative approach combining conventional and complementary medicine interventions seems highly promising. Treatment programs are more likely to be effective if the needs and interests of the people involved are well represented. This can be achieved through stakeholder engagement. Objectives: The aim of the study was to develop an integrative CRF treatment program using stakeholder engagement and to compare it to an expert version. Method: In a qualitative study, a total of 22 stakeholders (4 oncologists, 1 radiation-oncologist, 1 psycho-oncologist, 5 nurses/nurse experts, 9 patients, 1 patient family member, 1 representative of a local Swiss Cancer League) were interviewed either face-to-face or in a focus group setting. For data analysis, qualitative content analysis was used. Results: With stakeholder engagement, the integrative CRF treatment program was adapted to usual care using a prioritizing approach and allowing more patient choice. Unlike the expert version, in which all intervention options were on the same level, the stakeholder engagement process resulted in a program with 3 different levels. The first level includes mandatory nonpharmacological interventions, the second includes nonpharmacological choice-based interventions, and the third includes pharmacological interventions for severe CRF. The resulting stakeholder based integrative CRF treatment program was implemented as clinical practice guideline at our clinic (Institute for Complementary and Integrative Medicine, University Hospital Zurich). Conclusion: Through the stakeholder engagement approach, we integrated the needs and preferences of people who are directly affected by CRF. This resulted in an integrative CRF treatment program with graded recommendations for interventions and therefore potentially greater sustainability in a usual care setting.

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Managing the impact of posttreatment fatigue on the family: Breast cancer survivors share their experiences.

Cited by 18 publications

References 21 publications

A dyadic approach to understanding the impact of breast cancer on relationships between partners during early survivorship

A dyadic approach to understanding the impact of breast cancer on relationships between partners during early survivorship

A Qualitative Description of a Family Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors Experiencing Fatigue

Developing an Integrative Treatment Program for Cancer-Related Fatigue Using Stakeholder Engagement – A Qualitative Study

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