Objective-Hispanics are the largest and fastest growing ethnic minority group in the United States and breast cancer is the most commonly diagnosed cancer in Hispanic women. However, Hispanics are underrepresented in the psychosocial breast cancer literature.Methods-This study included 677 low-income women (425 Hispanic, 252 non-Hispanic White) enrolled in the Medi-Cal Breast and Cervical Cancer Treatment Program. Data were gathered through phone interviews conducted in English or Spanish 6 and 18 months following breast cancer diagnosis. We focus on three variables that the literature indicates are salient for breast cancer survivors, sexual function, body image and depression.Results-Results of an ANCOVA indicated worse sexual function for Hispanic women, even after controlling for significant covariates. Hispanics reported significantly less sexual desire, greater difficulty relaxing and enjoying sex, and greater difficulty becoming sexually aroused and having orgasms than non-Hispanic White women. Both Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women endorsed a lack of sexual desire more frequently than problems with sexual function. Body image did not differ between Hispanic and non-Hispanic White women. 38% of Hispanic and 48% of non-Hispanic White women scored above cut-off scores for depressive symptoms. While there was no ethnic difference in depressive symptoms, single women reported more depressive symptoms than partnered women.Conclusions-Findings suggest that low-income breast cancer survivors may experience symptoms of depression more than a year following diagnosis, and that sexual dysfunction may be particularly salient for low-income Hispanic women. KeywordsBreast cancer; Oncology; Hispanic Americans; Poverty; Depression; Psychosexual Dysfunctions Over a billion dollars have been spent researching the psychosocial impact of breast cancer [1]. This extensive body of research indicates that despite initial distress following diagnosis, the majority of women report good overall adjustment following breast cancer treatment [1,2]. Nonetheless, there are areas of ongoing difficulty, with many women reporting negative changes in body image and sexual function [3][4][5]. An important shortcoming in this research is that the majority of the studies are based on middle to upper- NIH Public Access Author ManuscriptPsychooncology. Author manuscript; available in PMC 2011 October 1. sample makes it possible to examine ethnic differences in adjustment while holding income constant. In addition, the longitudinal design of the parent study allowed us to examine aspects of adjustment that are more proximal to treatment such as body image, as well as potentially longer lasting aspects such as depression and sexual function.Consistent with prior literature, we hypothesized that surgery type would be associated with body image, such that women who underwent a mastectomy would report poorer body image than women who received breast conserving surgery. Additionally, we predicted that this association would be moderated...

Greater time spent talking with family and friends about treatment options may provide opportunities for patients to cope with their cancer diagnosis and facilitate cognitive processing, which may improve patient distress over time.

The present study demonstrates that body image is an important component of the prostate cancer experience. Findings suggest that body image has a meaningful association with QOL among prostate cancer survivors.

The Department of Veterans Affairs (VA) is likely the largest provider of health care for LGBT persons in US. However, histories of homophobia, stigma, discrimination, and past military policies have all had a lasting impact on the health of LGBT veterans. Effects can be seen across healthcare needs, disparities, access, and utilization for or by LGBT veterans. A case from a VA hospice unit is used to illustrate some challenges and opportunities when providing end-of-life care for an older, lesbian veteran. This veteran had been cared for by her wife who was struggling to meet care needs at home. Over time, it became clear that the wife was emotionally and financially dependent on the veteran, and would be facing many psychosocial and financial challenges when the veteran died. However the wife was reticent to accept referrals for help or services due to past negative experiences with social service agencies related to her sexual orientation. The interdisciplinary team collaborated to care for the veteran's medical needs, and the wife's emotional and psychosocial needs, until after the veteran's death. This case highlights many of the unique needs and challenges that may arise in caring for LGBT veterans and their families at end-of-life.