Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Resveratrol has been shown to inhibit cell growth and induce apoptosis, as well as augment chemotherapeutics and irradiation in multiple cancer types. However, it is unknown if resveratrol is beneficial for treating drug-resistant cancer cells. To study the effects of resveratrol in triple negative breast cancer cells that are resistant to the common cancer drug, paclitaxel, a novel paclitaxel-resistant cell line was generated from the MDA-MB-231 breast cancer cell line. The resulting cell line, MDA-MB-231/PacR, exhibited a 12-fold increased resistance to paclitaxel but remained sensitive to resveratrol treatment. Resveratrol treatment reduced cell proliferation and colony formation and increased senescence and apoptosis in both the parental MDA-MB-231 and MDA-MB-231/PacR cell lines. Importantly, resveratrol treatment augments the effects of paclitaxel in both cell lines. The expression of the drug efflux transporter gene, MDR1, and the main metabolizing enzyme of paclitaxel gene, CYP2C8, was increased in the resistant cells. Moreover, pharmacological inhibition of the protein products of these genes, P-glycoprotein and CYP2C8, decreased paclitaxel resistance in the resistant but not in the parental cells, which suggests that the increase of these proteins are important contributors to the resistance of these cells. In conclusion, these studies imply that resveratrol, both alone and in combination with paclitaxel, may be useful in the treatment of paclitaxel-sensitive and paclitaxel-resistant triple negative breast cancers.

Advances in breast cancer detection and oncology treatment modalities have prolonged the survival time for the cancer population, which is officially the largest group of cancer survivors among women in the western world, including South Africa (Brem & Kumar, 2011; Fisher, Dolbeault, Sultan & Bredart, 2014; Herbst, 2011; Reyes-Gibby, et al., 2012). In the light of shocking statistics and ever rising numbers of cancer, especially breast cancer, the time is ripe for further research in the domain of psycho-oncology and has motivated the researcher, due to her interest and involvement in breast cancer, to make this her field of research. Despite the need for a bio-psycho-social approach when treating cancer patients there is little literature available on the psychological interventions in South Africa where the majority of research studies previously conducted in South Africa have generally focused on the bio-medical aspects of cancer (Albrecht, 2009; Venter, 2014). To comprehend the paradigm of psycho-oncology, which is the backbone of this study, a theoretical framework was attained from Engel’s humanistic or psychological model (caring) and Pasteur’s biomedical model (curing) (Borrel-Carrio, Suchman, & Epstein, 2004). The primary aim of this study was to explore the lived experiences of breast cancer patients concerning their diagnosis, treatment and survivorship and unique needs for psycho-oncological interventions through their own “voices”. The research was conducted within a qualitative framework with a case study method of inquiry employing open-ended style interviews and psychotherapeutic sessions with five purposely sampled breast cancer patients. Two qualitative questionnaires were also used for triangulation purposes. Transcripts of all the therapeutic sessions were analysed using interpretive analysis where categories and themes were developed and described in full. Findings indicated that in spite the extensive proof that breast cancer causes numerous sexual and psychological complications during active treatment and afterwards, patients still feel that they have no “platform” to express their emotions and sexual issues within the oncology framework, or that there is enough and sufficient assistance to attend to their needs. e The researcher hopes that this study will make a valuable contribution to research in the field of psycho-oncology in South Africa and to indicate new realities of the chronicity of breast cancer and treatment complications that demand psychotherapeutic interventions in cancer care and that the study will initiate new ways of understanding the role of psychology and the psychologist in the medical world of cancer. The researcher hopes that by offering an understanding of participants’ unique experiences of this process, practitioners will have insight when working therapeutically with this population and empower them to have a quality of life, even within the boundaries of their illness. / Psychology / D. Litt. et Phil. (Psychology)

A qualitative research design and an ethno-nursing research method were used to identify cultural factors influencing Xhosa women's health seeking behaviours associated with breast lumps. Focus group interviews were conducted to obtain data. The research results revealed that these Xhosa women with breast lumps did not disclose some cultural factors which influenced their health seeking behaviours associated breast lumps. Registered nurses, sharing the same culture and language as the Xhosa women, revealed that Xhosa women with breast lumps sought treatment from traditional healers, prior to seeking medical care from the hospital and/or clinics. When they arrive at the hospital/clinics the breast lumps have often progressed to advanced ulcerated breast cancer, with poor prognoses and poor treatment outcomes. Xhosa women lacked knowledge about the management of breast lumps. Health promotion efforts should address this issue at Primary Health Care services in the Eastern Cape. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)

A qualitative research design and an ethno-nursing research method were used to identify cultural factors influencing Xhosa women's health seeking behaviours associated with breast lumps. Focus group interviews were conducted to obtain data. The research results revealed that these Xhosa women with breast lumps did not disclose some cultural factors which influenced their health seeking behaviours associated breast lumps. Registered nurses, sharing the same culture and language as the Xhosa women, revealed that Xhosa women with breast lumps sought treatment from traditional healers, prior to seeking medical care from the hospital and/or clinics. When they arrive at the hospital/clinics the breast lumps have often progressed to advanced ulcerated breast cancer, with poor prognoses and poor treatment outcomes. Xhosa women lacked knowledge about the management of breast lumps. Health promotion efforts should address this issue at Primary Health Care services in the Eastern Cape. / Health Studies / M.A. (Health Studies)