The process of recovery from breast cancer for younger and older patients. Changes during the first year

Abstract

A representative community sample of 274 breast cancer (BC) patients from the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer‐Surveillance System was studied longitudinally during the year after their BC diagnosis. The adjustment of these patients to their disease was examined in terms of (1) the changes in their physical and mental health functioning; and (2) the factors that predict or facilitate the recovery process, including the independent and interactive effects of age. Comparison of the outcomes at 4 and 10 months after diagnosis manifested a significant and consistent improvement in physical functioning. In contrast, there was an absence of any improvement in indicators of mental health and well‐being. Whereas the cross‐sectional analyses demonstrated that stage of disease had an impact on physical impairment, the longitudinal analyses revealed that physical impairment at time 1 was the significant predictor of deteriorating mental health at time 2. Furthermore, younger age was shown to exacerbate the impact of impairment on mental health. The more seriously impaired younger patients experienced significantly greater deterioration in their mental health and well‐being than similarly impaired older patients. However, older age was found to exacerbate the impact of more extensive surgery on symptoms that produce limitations in activity.

Physical and psychosocial outcomes in cancer patients: a comparison of different age groups

“…Previous studies have suggested that age is related positively to emotional functioning (Vinokur et al, 1990;Ganz et al, 1992;Moor et al, 1994). In this sample, older individuals did not have better scores on the subscale psychological well-being, as measured by the QOL-CA scale, than younger patients.…”

“…Other investigators reported no significant relationship between age and functional status (Vinokur et al, 1990;Ganz et al, 1992;Given et al, 1994). Current trends in health care aim to reduce hospital beds in acute care units.…”

“…These studies revealed that age is a poor predictor for survival (Vinokur et al, 1990;Ganz et al, 1992), as well as for psychosocial well-being in cancer patients (Goodwin et al, 1991;Moor et al, 1994). In contrast, Vinokur et al (1990) identified age in women with breast cancer (Lauria, 1991).…”

“…These studies revealed that age is a poor predictor for survival (Vinokur et al, 1990;Ganz et al, 1992), as well as for psychosocial well-being in cancer patients (Goodwin et al, 1991;Moor et al, 1994). In contrast, Vinokur et al (1990) identified age in women with breast cancer (Lauria, 1991). Improved emotional responses and fewer rehabilitation problems were found in older rather than in younger cancer patients (Vinokur et al, 1990;Ganz et al, 1992;Moor et al, 1994).…”

“…In contrast, Vinokur et al (1990) identified age in women with breast cancer (Lauria, 1991). Improved emotional responses and fewer rehabilitation problems were found in older rather than in younger cancer patients (Vinokur et al, 1990;Ganz et al, 1992;Moor et al, 1994).…”