Psychosocial issues experienced by young women with breast cancer

Abstract

Young women with breast cancer are at greater risk for psychosocial adjustment problems, yet their needs are often overlooked. Proactive discussions by healthcare providers early on in treatment, and referrals to relevant services as part of standard care are needed to mitigate younger women's concerns and reduce the likelihood of problems becoming longstanding.

A comparison of younger and older couples coping with breast cancer : examining the relationship among mutuality, dyadic coping, and quality of life of patients and partners.

“…Younger women with breast cancer face reproductive concerns about fertility and childbearing, changes in their relationships with children and family members, multiple role demands, career concerns related to job security and financial difficulties, and greater concerns about body image and sexuality (Avis, Crawford, & Manuel, 2004;Avis, Crawford, & Manuel, 2005;Dunn & Steginga, 2000;Ganz et al 2003;Howard-Anderson et al, 2012;Ruddy et al, 2013). Breast cancer in younger women significantly affects the woman's family and social network, with concerns reported especially for the relationship with the partner and children (Ahmad et al, 2015;Baucom, Porter, Kirby, & Gremore, 2005;Borstelmann et al, 2015;Ruddy et al, 2013).…”

“…From a developmental perspective, younger women are in a stage of their lives when they are invested in self-realization and accomplishing social milestones. Those are the years when most women are married or involved in a committed relationship, having children and focusing on their professional careers and aspirations (Ahmad, Fergus, & McCarthy, 2015;. The cancer diagnosis introduces not only an "out of time" confrontation with mortality, but it creates abrupt and premature changes in their quality of life.…”

“…Younger patients lament higher physical symptoms associated with the treatment and the perceived body disfigurement, like pain, lymphedema, sleep problems, and weight gain. They are also more vulnerable to the limitations caused by the illness to their social and intimate relationships, reporting higher concerns for their relationship with partners, difficulties disclosing the diagnosis, and higher feelings of isolation (Ahmad et al, 2015;Ruddy et al, 2013). Finally, younger women diagnosed with breast cancer present higher psychological symptoms, including higher anxiety, depression as well as persistent and intrusive worries that the cancer will return (Thewes et al, 2013).…”

On a journey for survival : everyday life during radiation therapy from the perspectives of women with breast cancer and their families

“…Research has shown that younger women often demonstrate poorer psychosocial adjustment during and following breast cancer treatment (Ahmad, Fergus, & McCarthy, 2015; and express an unmet need of professional and emotional support when communicating their cancer diagnosis to their children . However, this may also reflect the perception of the woman as the pillar of the home, strong and available for family members to the detriment of her own needs and difficulties, as shown by Goldblatt, Cohenz, Azaiza, and Manassa (2013) when exploring how Arabic women living in Israel experience and cope with breast cancer.…”

“…Some evidence shows that younger women are more likely to struggle with emotional and social concerns, pertaining to body image, sexual functioning, fertility-related issues, caring for children, family roles and relations as well as career issues (Ahmad et al, 2015; Paterson et al, 2016; Peate et al, 2009;Raque-Bogdan et al, 2015;Ruddy et al, 2014;. Research has emphasised women's need for support when it comes to telling their children of their cancer diagnosis , as the overarching aim of a mother is to protect her children (Fisher & O'Connor, 2012).…”