Untitled

Abstract

BackgroundAt least some forms of breast cancer are increasingly being viewed as a chronic illness, where an emphasis is placed on meeting the various ongoing needs of people living with cancer, their families and other members of their social support networks. This commentary outlines some approaches to the evaluation of cancer-related support groups, with a particular emphasis on those designed to provide long-distance support, via the internet, for women with breast cancer.DiscussionThe literature on evaluations of community-based cancer support groups indicates that they offer a number of benefits, and that it is more reasonable to expect an impact of such interventions on psychosocial functioning and/or health-related quality of life than on survival. The literature on both face-to-face and online social support groups suggests that they offer many advantages, although evaluation of the latter delivery mechanism presents some ethical issues that need to be addressed. Many popular online support groups are peer-moderated, rather than professionally-moderated. In an evaluation of online support groups, different models of the role of the "navigator" need to be taken into account. Some conceptual models are outlined for the evaluation of the "navigator role" in meeting the informational, decisional and educational needs of women with breast cancer. The Breast-Cancer Mailing List, an example of an unmoderated internet-based peer-support group, is considered within the context of a Shared or Tacit Model of the navigator role.ConclusionApplication of the concept of a "navigator role" to support groups in general, and to unmoderated online ones in particular, has received little or no attention in the research literature. The navigator role should be taken into account in research on this increasingly important aspect of cancer communication.

Efectos de un programa de inteligencia emocional en la ansiedad y el autoconcepto en mujeres con cáncer de mama

“…En este sentido, cabe señalar diversos trabajos que evidencian que la ansiedad suele ser mayor en personas con cáncer de mama con cirugía (Estapé, Estapé, Soria-Pastor y Díez, 2014; Vázquez-Ortiz, Antequera y Blanco, 2010). Por otro lado, algunos estudios ratifican la eficacia de los programas psicoterapéuticos desarrollados en personas con cáncer de mama en la disminución de la ansiedad, así como, en la utilización de estrategias adecuadas de regulación emocional y en el aumento del bienestar emocional (Lieberman y Goldstein, 2006;Pennebaker y Chung, 2007;Winzelberg et al, 2003).…”

Chemobrain in Underserved African American Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Trained professionals can help to guide the patient through these processes, aid the patient in making informed decisions, and direct patients to healthcare providers who can provide supportive measures to alleviate the symptoms of chemobrain and enhance cognition (Myers, 2012;Raffa et al, 2006). That can be facilitated by the assignment of a patient navigator (Davis, Darby, Likes, & Bell, 2009;Dohan & Schrag, 2005;Freeman, Muth, & Kerner, 1995;Till, 2003).…”

The Roles of Support Seeking and Race/Ethnicity in Posttraumatic Growth Among Breast Cancer Survivors

“…Although satisfaction and improvements in health-related quality of life (HRQOL) may be high among cancer survivors (Grassi, Sabato, Rossi, Marmai, & Biancosino, 2010; Leadbeater, 2004; Schou, Ekeberg, Karesen, & Sorensen, 2008; Till, 2003), the psychological processes that lead to this improvement remain unclear. One such process may be posttraumatic growth (PTG), which is a concept encompassing positive changes in self-perception, interpersonal relationships, and/or life philosophy following a traumatic life event (Tedeschi & Calhoun, 1996).…”