This in-depth, qualitative pilot study explored the impact of breast cancer on specific dimensions of the relationships and roles of women. It included interaction within the partner relationship as well as with family, friends, and colleagues. Data were obtained by individual and group interviews from 10 women with a diagnosis of breast cancer and 5 male partners. Both partnered and single women participated. There were four major findings seldom discussed in the literature, which have important implications for preventive intervention. First, partner relationships troubled before the diagnosis as well as those characterized by mutual caring faced challenges and negative changes. Second, in an effort to protect each other, communication within the partner dyad became less open, and there were changes in the usual manner of conflict resolution. Third, unpartnered women appeared to be more vulnerable to problems of negative adjustment, largely because of relationship issues. Fourth, participants confirmed the need for a comprehensive intervention to facilitate coping with issues relative to relationships, intimacy, and sexuality. Although the sample was small, in-depth data were obtained that provide a basis for specific areas in which further empirical investigation is needed, and they indicate that preventive intervention may well be warranted.

Hemodialysis patients have difficulty self-managing a complex dietary and fluid regimen. The purpose of this feasibility study was to pilot test an electronic self-monitoring intervention based on social cognitive theory. During a six-week intervention, 24 participants self-monitored diet and fluid intake using the Dietary Intake Monitoring Application (DIMA), and 20 participants served as controls by monitoring their activity using the Daily Activity Monitor Application (DAMA). Results from this pilot study suggest the intervention is feasible and acceptable, although few significant effects on outcomes were found in this small sample. The DIMA has potential to facilitate dietary and fluid self-monitoring but requires additional refinement and further testing.

Objective-First-degree relatives (FDRs) of people diagnosed with colorectal cancer (CRC) have a two-to three-fold increased risk of developing the same disease. Tailored print interventions based on behavior change theories have demonstrated considerable promise in facilitating health-promoting behaviors. This study compared the impact of two mailed print interventions on CRC screening outcomes among FDRs.Methods-This randomized trial compared effects of two mailed print interventions --one tailored and one nontailored -on participation in CRC screening among FDRs of CRC survivors. Data collected via phone interviews from 140 FDRs at baseline, one week post-intervention, and three months post-intervention.Results-At three months, both the tailored and nontailored interventions yielded modest but statistically insignificant increases in adherence to any CRC screening test (14% vs. 21%, respectively; p=0.30). While there were no main effects for tailored versus nontailored interventions, there were significant interactions that showed that the tailored print intervention had significantly greater effects on forward stage movement for CRC screening depending on stage of adoption at baseline, race, and objective CRC risk. Receipt of the tailored intervention was 2.5 times more likely to move baseline precontemplators and contemplators forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI=1.10-5.68) and was three times more likely to move Caucasians forward in stage of adoption for FOBT (95% CI=1.00-9.07). In addition, the tailored intervention was 7.7 times more likely to move people at average risk forward in stage of adoption for colonoscopy (95% CI=1.25-47.75).Conclusion-The tailored print intervention was more effective at moving Caucasians, those in precontemplation and contemplation at baseline, and those at average risk forward in their stage of adoption for CRC screening. Publisher's Disclaimer: This is a PDF file of an unedited manuscript that has been accepted for publication. As a service to our customers we are providing this early version of the manuscript. The manuscript will undergo copyediting, typesetting, and review of the resulting proof before it is published in its final citable form. Please note that during the production process errors may be discovered which could affect the content, and all legal disclaimers that apply to the journal pertain. Practice Implications-Both tailored and nontailored print interventions showed moderate effects for increasing CRC screening participation. Tailored print interventions may be more effective for certain subgroups. NIH Public Access