The effect of peer counseling on quality of life following diagnosis of breast cancer: an observational study

Abstract

Women with breast cancer express the greatest need for counseling at the time of diagnosis and report that the intervention they want is to be able to speak with someone who has the same cancer, but has lived through the crisis of treatment and is leading a 'normal' life. We conducted an observational study of a 6-month peer-counseling intervention testing outcomes for both newly diagnosed women (Sojourners) and peer counselors (Navigators) as a first step toward the goal of validating a peer navigator program. Significant improvement in the Sojourners was observed in trauma symptoms, emotional well-being, cancer self-efficacy, and desire for information on breast cancer resources. Navigators maintained baseline levels of the outcome variables, but increased in dissatisfaction with their interactions with their medical team and increased emotional suppression. Our findings indicate that peer navigation may halt a decline in quality of life that is commonly found in the first year following breast cancer diagnosis. In addition, Navigators were not adversely affected by their experience; however, careful training and supervision of Navigators is crucial to overall success. Randomized clinical trials are needed to demonstrate the efficacy of peer navigator programs.

Peer‐counseling for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized community/research collaboration trial

“…However, few RCTs test program efficacy 19 , offer licensed supervision, or provide the trauma-symptom training we mandated 16,29 .…”

“…Only 3 were RCTs, and methods limited clarity about the efficacy of peer-counseling or navigation programs. Hoey et al's 19 , review of 43 peer-counseling articles, including five models of peer support within 8 RCTs, found high satisfaction but limited psychosocial benefit 16,19 .…”

“…Once randomized, we called our treatment arm Staff assessed Navigator readiness during supervision. We trained 29 Navigators in seven all-day sessions for 3-6 women, with 7 trained during our pilot 16 . They signed consent and attended training and monthly supervision led by a licensed marriage-and-family therapist.…”

“…In response to growing demand, The National Cancer Institute conducts a national patient-navigator training program 14 . Peer counseling or navigation refers to support offered to people with cancer by cancer survivors 15,16 .…”

Toward structured peer support interventions in oncology: a qualitative insight into the experiences of gynaecological cancer survivors providing peer support

“…There are a few notable exceptions [7][8][9][10], including Pistrang et al [9] who concluded that the benefits of providing peer support include: the satisfaction of giving, a boost in confidence and self-esteem, gaining perspective and coming to terms with emotionally painful issues. Yet challenges of providing peer support were also noted: balancing involvement and detachment, fear of saying something wrong, dealing with others' negative emotions and poor prognosis, and when support needs were unclear or could not be met.…”