Changes in Health- Related Quality of Life and Psychosocial Well-being of Breast Cancer Survivors: Findings from a Group- Based Intervention Program in Malaysia (original) (raw)
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Influence of Support Group Intervention on Quality of Life of Malaysian Breast Cancer Survivors
Asia-Pacific Journal of Public Health, 2013
Given that breast cancer is the most prevalent form of cancer affecting Malaysian women and its low survival rate, this study investigates the possible influence of support group intervention on quality of life (QOL). It also examines the interrelationships between QOL subdomains as research has shown the influence of emotional expression on psychological and physical well-being. Rasch analysis was implemented to examine perception of QOL and the comparability of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy General and Breast Cancer scales (FACT-G and FACT-B) of the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy inventory. RESULTS: indicated that perception of QOL may be influenced by factors other than support group intervention. The FACT-G and FACT-B scales were comparable in the measurement of QOL for breast cancer, and the interrelationships between the QOL subdomains were supported. The findings of this study accentuate the importance of focusing support group interventions on improvement of emotional well-being to maintain patients' QOL despite the cancer.
A revision of the quality of life-breast cancer survivors (QOL-BCS) instrument
Research in Nursing & Health, 2013
The importance of quality of life (QOL) measurement among breast cancer survivors (BCS) is well-recognized by researchers and clinicians. With data from 427 rural BCS, the authors used a combination of clinical expertise and statistical analysis to revise a 48-item measure of QOL specific to BCS. The revised 15-item measure showed adequate psychometric properties and provides the basis for a brief yet comprehensive multidimensional measure of QOL applicable to most BCS. Future work includes fine-tuning the measurement model and examining its generalizability among non-rural BCS. ß 2013 Wiley Periodicals, Inc. Res Nurs Health 36: [423][424][425][426][427][428][429][430][431][432][433][434] 2013
Quality of life in breast cancer survivors: 2 years post self-management intervention
Asian Pacific journal of cancer prevention : APJCP, 2011
Today, cancer survivors have an added new role to self manage living with the medical, emotional and role tasks that can affect their quality of life (QOL). The purpose of the study was to evaluate the QOL of women two years after participating in a self-management intervention program. The clinical trial was conducted at University Malaya Medical Centre between 2006 and 2008. The experimental group underwent a 4-week self management program, and the control group underwent usual care. Two years after the intervention, questionnaires were randomly posted out to the participants. A total of 51 questionnaires returned. There were statistically differences between groups in psychological, self-care, mobility and participation aspects in PIPP (p<0.05). The experimental group reported having higher confidence to live with breast cancer compared to control group (p<0.05). There were significant between-group changes in anxiety scores at T2 (immediately after intervention) to T4 (two...
The Breast, 2012
To examine factors impacting long-term functional outcomes and psychological sequelae in persons with primary brain tumours (BT) in an Australian community cohort. Participants (n = 106) following definitive treatment for BT in the community were reviewed in rehabilitation clinics to assess impact on participants' current activity and restriction in participation, using validated questionnaires: Functional Independence Measure (FIM), Perceived Impact Problem Profile (PIPP), Depression Anxiety Stress Scale, Cancer Rehabilitation Evaluation System-Short Form and Cancer Survivor Unmet Needs Measure. Mean age of the participants was 51 years (range 21-77 years), majority were female (56 %) with median time since BT diagnosis 2.1 years and a third (39 %) had high grade tumours. Majority showed good functional recovery (median motor FIM score 75). Over half reported pain (56 %), of which 42 % had headaches. Other impairments included: ataxia (44 %), seizures (43 %); paresis (37 %), cognitive dysfunction (36 %) and visual impairment (35 %). About 20 % reported high levels of depression, compared with only 13 % in an Australian normative sample. Two-third (60 %) participants reported highest impact on the PIPP subscales for psychological wellbeing (scores of [3 on 6-point scale) and participation (45 %). Factors significantly associated with poorer current level of functioning and wellbeing included: younger participants (B40 years), recent diagnoses, aggressive tumour types and presence of pain. No significant differences in scale scores were found across various treatments (surgery, chemotherapy or radiotherapy) on outcomes used. Rehabilitation for BT survivors is challenging and requires long-term management of psychological sequelae impacting activity and participation. More research into participatory limitation is needed to guide treating clinicians.
Effect of Educative-Supportive Program on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors
Breastcancersurvivorsexperiencelong-termproblemsrelatedtotheirdiseaseand treatment, and this can decrease their quality of life. This quasi-experimental research aimedtostudytheeffectofanEducative-SupportiveProgramonqualityoflifeamong61 breast cancer survivors diagnosed for at least 5 years, at Maharaj Nakorn Chiang Mai hospital, Thailand. Eligible participants were obtained by using purposive sampling and matchingofage,education,andyearofsurvivalwasconductedbeforegroupassignment. Participantswereassignedintothecontrolandtheexperimentalgroup,31inthecontrol and 30 in the experimental. Implementation of the Educative-Supportive Program was separated into 4-hour sessions, conducted 4 times continuously with 2 weeks interval. Participants' self-report instruments included, Demographic Data Form, Quality of Life: Breast Cancer Version Questionnaire and Self-management Questionnaire. Data were collected 3 times: before the program began (time 1), after the program (time 2) and 3 monthsaftertheprogramended(time3).Theresultsshowedthatmeanscoreofqualityof lifeintheexperimentalgroupforall 3timeswere6.43(SD=1.21), 6.30(SD=1.18)and5.86 (SD=1.39),respectivelywhilethoseincontrolgroupwere5.82(SD=1.22),5.51(SD=1.09) and5.41(SD=1.14),respectively.ByusingrepeatedmeasureANOVA,theresultsindicated nointeractionbetweentreatmenteffectandtimeeffect(FWilk'sLamba=.763,p=.471). Moreover, a significance differences in quality of life mean score between groups (F = 5.313, p= .025) and within groups (F =6.682, p= .002) were shown. Using Bonferroni criterions, the results revealed a significance difference of quality of life score between time1andtime3 intheexperimentalgroup(meandifference=.491,p=.001).Although theresultswerenotasexpected,theevidenceofintermediateoutcome-selfcareactivities in the experimental group was shown. Further development of Educative-Supportive ProgramsamongThaibreastcancersurvivorsisstillneeded,asitisanessentialstrategyto increasequalityoflife.
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology, 2010
The authors developed a quality-of-life measure specific to long-term breast cancer survivors. Participants were women diagnosed with early-stage disease ≥7 years postdiagnosis. The final scale is the result of an iterative interview process with the 28-item scale administered to 285 participants. Factor analysis demonstrated with seven domains: physical, sexual and cognitive function, body image, coping, social support, and anxiety. Cronbach's alpha is.88. Convergent and divergent validity are also reported. The Long Term Quality of Life-Breast Cancer Scale has domains specific to breast cancer and will be useful to psychosocial and clinical researchers.
Journal of Cancer Research & Therapy, 2013
This study evaluated the impact of social support programs on improving cancer related disability, neuro-cognitive dysfunction and enhancing participation (quality of life (QoL), social reintegration) in brain tumour (BT) survivors. Participants (n=43) were recruited prospectively following definitive treatment in the community. Each BT survivor received an individualised social support program which comprised: face-to-face interview for education/counselling plus peer support program or community education/counselling sessions. The assessments were at baseline (T1), 6 week (T2) and 6-month (T3) post-intervention using validated questionnaires: depression anxiety stress scale (DASS), functional independence measure (FIM), perceived impact problem profile (PIPP), cancer rehabilitation evaluation system-short form (CARES-SF), a cancer survivor unmet needs measure (CaSUN), McGill quality of life questionnaire (MQOL) and Brief COPE. Participants' mean age was 53 years (range 31-72 years), the majority were female (72%); median time since BT diagnosis was 2.3 years and almost half (47%) had high grade tumours. At T2, participants reported higher emotional well-being (DASS 'anxiety' and 'stress' subscales, p<0.05; FIM 'cognition' subscale, p<0.01), improved function (FIM 'motor' subscale, p<0.01) and higher QoL (CARES-SF 'global' score, p<0.05; MQOL 'physical symptom' subscale, p<0.05). At the T3 follow-up, most of these effects were maintained. The intervention effect for BT specific coping strategies emerged for the Brief COPE 'selfdistraction' and 'behavioural disengagement' domains, (p<0.05 for both). There were no adverse effects reported. A post-treatment social support program can improve physical and cognitive function and enhancing overall QoL of BT survivors. Social support programs need further evaluation and should be encouraged by clinicians within cancer rehabilitative services.
Psycho-Oncology, 2013
Background: This study reports on the internal consistency and construct validity of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G v.4) and 12-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-12 v.2) health-related quality of life (HRQOL) instruments with Chinese-American breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Participants completed mailed questionnaires at baseline and 12-month follow-up. HRQOL was measured using the FACT-G and the SF-12. The measures were evaluated by construct validity and reliability tests. Factor analyses were performed in a two-wave assessment through exploratory and confirmatory analyses at baseline and follow-up. Results: Seventy-four Chinese-American BCS participated. Excellent internal consistency (a > 0.85) and good construct validity for the FACT-G (five factors) and the SF-12 (two factors) were observed. Factor structure of both measures accounted for 70% of the common variance in physical, social/family, emotional, and functional well-being subscales for the FACT-G and in physical and mental components for the SF-12. Conclusions: Our data demonstrated good internal consistency and construct validity of the measures. The psychometric findings demonstrate the utility of the FACT-G and the SF-12 to assess HRQOL among Chinese-American BCS.