Emotional health often strong after breast cancer
NEW YORK (Reuters Health) - Most older women who survive breast cancer maintain their emotional well-being, though some are at greater risk of a change for the worse, a new study suggests.
Researchers found among a large group of older women they followed for 5 years after breast cancer surgery that the majority showed little change in various measures of emotional health. Some, however, were more likely to suffer a decline -- including women who'd initially believed they wouldn't be cured.
In contrast, women who felt they had strong support from family and friends, or good communication with their doctor, were less likely to show declines in their emotional well-being.
The investigators led Dr. Kerri M. Clough-Gorr of Boston University Medical Center report the findings in the Journal of Clinical Oncology.
Research has suggested that younger women are at relatively greater risk of long-term emotional distress after a breast cancer diagnosis, but older women are certainly not immune. Yet little is known about the factors that make some older women more vulnerable to declines in emotional health, according to Clough-Gorr and her colleagues.
Their study involved 660 U.S. women age 65 and older who'd been treated for early breast cancer. At regular intervals for up to 5 years, the women were interviewed about their emotional well-being, physical functioning and feelings about their support from their family, friends and health providers.
Throughout that time, the study found, the majority of the women maintained their emotional health, particularly those who were initially in better physical health, had a stronger support system or felt good about their communication with their doctor.
In contrast, women who were initially pessimistic about their chances of survival showed poorer emotional health in the years after their diagnosis. The same was true of women with less education.
The findings, according to Clough-Gorr and her colleagues, suggest ways to aid women's long-term emotional well-being after breast cancer -- better communication on the part of doctors being one.
"How doctors interact with their patients seems to have an enduring effect on how women cope with cancer-specific issues over time," the researchers note.
Another key, they add, is having family members and friends to talk to, and to help with personal problems. Interventions to teach family members how to give such emotional support might "buffer the impact" of a breast cancer diagnosis, and improve older women's long-term emotional health.
SOURCE: Journal of Clinical Oncology, April 10, 2007.
What breastcancer.org says about this article…
Emotional health often strong after breast cancer
For most women, a breast cancer diagnosis leads to an emotional rollercoaster of anger, fear, helplessness and ultimately hope and strength. The study reviewed here found that most older breast cancer survivors achieved emotional balance and well-being after treatment.
The researchers found that several factors seem to be associated with a greater chance of good emotional health:
- Having a good support network. The value of support from your family and friends is obvious, but support from other patients and survivors is also very powerful.
- Being and staying in good physical shape. There is growing evidence that shows exercise (and a healthy diet) can help maintain emotional well-being during and beyond breast cancer treatment.
- Having an excellent relationship with your doctor. A doctor who understands your situation, takes time to answer your questions, and truly is a partner in your care can make a big difference.
After your main breast cancer treatment is done, it's important to focus on what's now most important: your good health. You have to make sure you get the best ongoing care and live your best life.
Make a deal with yourself: you will do the best you can to love yourself, speak up for yourself, take care of yourself, and take advantage of the best medical care available. Remember, there's only one of you, and YOU deserve the best outcome possible, both physically and emotionally.