This study utilized ethnographic methodology to describe the communicative interactional patterns in families with a member who has breast cancer. Three breast cancer patients whose families were between the adolescent and launching of children developmental lifestage (McGoldrick & Carter, 1982) were chosen for the study. Data were collected from a series of three interview sessions over a period of four weeks with a two week time lapse between each of the interview sessions. Interview sessions were conducted in the families' homes by the researcher. All interviews were video and audio tape recorded for the purpose of preserving data for transcribing and coding. Research questions examined individual perception of meaning in regard to the disease, the structure and organization of the family in relation to the illness, and the effects of family communicative interaction on the course and management of the disease. Findings indicated that family members' responses to the diagnosis of "breast cancer were influenced by multi-generational "beliefs. All three families formulated a collective belief which supported the mother's belief about the disease. Each of the three families were mother-centered, and each mother seemed to use a metacommunicative approach to mediating family transactions. Each of the three fathers were reported as having been isolated and withdrawn within the family at various times. However, each father appeared to play a protective role in deflecting tension and stress away from the mother. All three couples appeared to have constructed an egalitarian relationship with an implicit agreement as to who was more skilled to hold the power within a particular context. In all three families, the generational boundaries were clearly defined. Conflict and affect were most generally expressed in an indirect manner through wit and sarcasm. However, because each of these three families were structured to allow for personal autonomous functioning of each individual member, patients were supported in seeking a modality outside of the family system to express more ambivalent feelings.

Existing research on health disparities in breast cancer is heavily focused on outcomes for poor or low-income women. Little is known about the experience of privately insured Black breast cancer patients that have moderate to high SES. As a result, the present study was conducted to learn more about their experiences. It examines differences in physician prescribing of two breast cancer pain treatments, peripheral nerve block (PNB) and opioids, for Black and White women with like levels of health insurance coverage and socioeconomic status (SES). Three specific questions are addressed: 1. What, if any, race-based disparities exist in usage of PNBs at time of total mastectomy? 2. What, if any, race based disparities exist in the prescription of opioids for postoperative pain following total mastectomy? 3. What, if any, changes have occurred in the frequency of orders placed for PNBs and prescription opioids over time, to treat postoperative pain resulting from mastectomy? A cross-sectional designed was used relying on an existing national dataset, Optum Clinformatics Data Mart. The study period was January 1, 2012, through December 31, 2019. Study results revealed that while moderate to higher SES Black women have equitable access to PNB and opioids - a kind of shield from long established physician bias against Black women – this protection is quite porous. They still do not have open and ready access to PNB as a more advanced pain treatment. Nor do they have assurance that they are protected from the overprescribing of opioids, a class of drugs with serious and well-known safety risks. Therefore, on the surface, it appears that equity and racial inclusion are hallmarks of physician prescribing of postoperative breast cancer pain treatment. However, further interrogation reveals that ‘separate and somewhat equal’ is a more accurate characterization of their prescribing practices, based both on race and SES.

The word "cancer" has different meanings for different people. In general, it is synonymous with fatality, either imminent or in the forseeable future. How each person perceives and attributes meaning to this personal experience, varies according to idiosyncratic factors. These factors are constituted by each individual's unique internal make up and by external influences and it is the combination of the multiplicity of factors that bring about the personal attributions of meaning for each individual. The thesis examines the attributions of meaning of a sample of 42 women with breast cancer, through administration of a semi-structured interview and questionnaire, with follow up interviews. The theoretical concepts which are explored, examine the shift away from the traditional, Newtonian, linear-causal, neutral observer model (as in the traditional medical model), towards an ecosystemic, a-causal, contextual, holistic stance. Ecosystemic thinking is utilised in this research work, and this way of thinking is applied to the findings. In addition, a qualitative, descriptive approach is adopted, so that an in depth emphasis rather than a quantitative, empirical view of the patients in the sample, is undertaken. The applied questionaire focuses on the patient's experience of cancer diagnosis, with more specific reference to the side effects of the chemotherapy. The emphasis is towards the issue of anticipatory nausea and emesis and the possible use of hypnosis in relation to these effects. Each patient's attribution of meaning to these aspects forms the core of the thesis. The study discloses the wide variety of attributions of meaning held by different women in a similar predicament towards different aspects of that predicament. Concomitantly, the study highlights the limitations of the traditional, medical model which contribute to diminishing the personal understanding of each patient, and the impact of this on both treatment and outcome for each patient. / Psychology / D.Phil. (Psychology)

Breast and prostate cancers are the most commonly diagnosed forms of cancer in women and men in the United States. The federal government has played an active role in dedicating resources toward breast and prostate cancers since the early 1990s, when policy actors successfully lobbied Congress to adopt policies that increased awareness and spending. Using theories of social construction, I argue that the key to their success was the ability of these policy actors to socially construct the illnesses of breast and prostate cancers into politically attractive public issues that appealed to federal policymakers. Through the use of embedded collective case study and content analysis of newspaper coverage and congressional data, this dissertation demonstrates how the social constructions of these illnesses impacted the way that breast and prostate cancers were treated as they moved through the policy process. The way in which social construction influenced the types of policies that were adopted to deal with these illnesses is also examined. Because social construction is a multidimensional and dynamic process, several different elements of this process were examined in this dissertation: the ways that policy actors attracted attention to these illnesses, how gender influenced advocacy efforts, the symbolic aspects of these illnesses, and the way the illnesses were defined on systemic and institutional agendas. Since this dissertation examines two different policy issues, the similarities and differences in breast and prostate cancer policymaking were analyzed. I found that discussing breast and prostate cancers in relation to their social constructions provides support for the importance of symbolism and non-rational policy-making processes. / by Jocilyn Martinez. / Thesis (Ph.D.)--Florida Atlantic University, 2010. / Includes bibliography. / Electronic reproduction. Boca Raton, Fla., 2010. Mode of access: World Wide Web.

Female breast cancer patients are often confused, frustrated, and devastated by changes occurring in their bodies and the treatment process. Many women express frustration and concern with the inability to know what the next phases of their life will bring. Previous research also states that many women struggle to communicate with others about treatment as well as side effects. This research examined how woman are use metaphors to describe their experience with breast cancer, specifically throughout the treatment period related to body image struggles. I qualitatively conducted interviews with women who were either currently in treatment or just finishing. My interview questions related to their uncertainties, as well as the changes occurring to their bodies. After conducting the interviews I transcribed the conversations and coded for specific metaphors. The results were consistent with previous research, in that that the interviewees used at least four major metaphors to describe what they are going through. The four most prominent metaphors were (1) journey, (2) game, (3) struggle/fight, (4) grasping. The findings could benefit patients, nurses, physicians as well as family and friends to reduce stress and help with coping. The findings may also help female patients struggling with identity issues due to lumpectomies or mastectomies. Understanding how patients comprehend the disease can ultimately help others to understand and hopefully reduce some of the concerns of all those involved in such situations.

<p>A randomized intervention study, with the aim to compare the effects of individual psychosocial support provided by (1) oncology nurses specially trained in psychological techniques (INS), or (2) psychologists (IPS), to (3) standard care (SC). Breast cancer patients, living in Uppsala County, and about to start adjuvant treatment at the Department of Oncology, Uppsala, were consecutively included between 1998 and 2000. The patients were assessed seven times during two years by self-administered questionnaires. Study I revealed positive effects of both INS and IPS as compared to SC on global quality of life, side effects, and post-traumatic distress. A lower proportion of patients in the intervention groups had psychosocial support provided in routine care compared with the SC group. In study II the patients reported being highly satisfied with the intervention, irrespective of profession providing the support. However, patients in the INS group reported higher levels of benefit regarding disease-related problems than those in the IPS group. In study III total Health Care costs were lower in the intervention groups and since a gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALY) was seen (mean .1 QALY), the interventions dominated. The costs for the interventions were 44 291- 48 978 SEK. In study IV, daily reporting of anxiety, depression and activity on Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) were completed during two weeks before and after the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessments. A point assessment with the HADS captured the situation better than four weeks assessment on three VAS in the diary. The HADS was considered preferable to the diary. The conclusion is that psychosocial support is beneficial for breast cancer patients and that the intervention delivered by nurses was as effective as that given by psychologists. The costs for the interventions were limited.</p>

A randomized intervention study, with the aim to compare the effects of individual psychosocial support provided by (1) oncology nurses specially trained in psychological techniques (INS), or (2) psychologists (IPS), to (3) standard care (SC). Breast cancer patients, living in Uppsala County, and about to start adjuvant treatment at the Department of Oncology, Uppsala, were consecutively included between 1998 and 2000. The patients were assessed seven times during two years by self-administered questionnaires. Study I revealed positive effects of both INS and IPS as compared to SC on global quality of life, side effects, and post-traumatic distress. A lower proportion of patients in the intervention groups had psychosocial support provided in routine care compared with the SC group. In study II the patients reported being highly satisfied with the intervention, irrespective of profession providing the support. However, patients in the INS group reported higher levels of benefit regarding disease-related problems than those in the IPS group. In study III total Health Care costs were lower in the intervention groups and since a gain in quality-adjusted life years (QALY) was seen (mean .1 QALY), the interventions dominated. The costs for the interventions were 44 291- 48 978 SEK. In study IV, daily reporting of anxiety, depression and activity on Visual Analogue Scales (VAS) were completed during two weeks before and after the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) assessments. A point assessment with the HADS captured the situation better than four weeks assessment on three VAS in the diary. The HADS was considered preferable to the diary. The conclusion is that psychosocial support is beneficial for breast cancer patients and that the intervention delivered by nurses was as effective as that given by psychologists. The costs for the interventions were limited.

The word "cancer" has different meanings for different people. In general, it is synonymous with fatality, either imminent or in the forseeable future. How each person perceives and attributes meaning to this personal experience, varies according to idiosyncratic factors. These factors are constituted by each individual's unique internal make up and by external influences and it is the combination of the multiplicity of factors that bring about the personal attributions of meaning for each individual. The thesis examines the attributions of meaning of a sample of 42 women with breast cancer, through administration of a semi-structured interview and questionnaire, with follow up interviews. The theoretical concepts which are explored, examine the shift away from the traditional, Newtonian, linear-causal, neutral observer model (as in the traditional medical model), towards an ecosystemic, a-causal, contextual, holistic stance. Ecosystemic thinking is utilised in this research work, and this way of thinking is applied to the findings. In addition, a qualitative, descriptive approach is adopted, so that an in depth emphasis rather than a quantitative, empirical view of the patients in the sample, is undertaken. The applied questionaire focuses on the patient's experience of cancer diagnosis, with more specific reference to the side effects of the chemotherapy. The emphasis is towards the issue of anticipatory nausea and emesis and the possible use of hypnosis in relation to these effects. Each patient's attribution of meaning to these aspects forms the core of the thesis. The study discloses the wide variety of attributions of meaning held by different women in a similar predicament towards different aspects of that predicament. Concomitantly, the study highlights the limitations of the traditional, medical model which contribute to diminishing the personal understanding of each patient, and the impact of this on both treatment and outcome for each patient. / Psychology / D.Phil. (Psychology)

L’anxiété est très fréquente chez des patientes présentant un cancer du sein non-métastatique et peut avoir des répercussions importantes sur leur prise en charge médicale ainsi que sur leur bien-être physique et psychologique. S’il existe une littérature abondante sur le sujet, de nombreuses questions subsistent concernant l’évaluation et la prise en charge de l’anxiété durant la radiothérapie et dans la phase de rémission qui suit. <p><p>Ce travail de thèse a investigué ces questions au travers de deux études empiriques répondant aux objectifs suivants: (a) l’évaluation de l’évolution et des prédicteurs de l’anxiété durant le traitement de radiothérapie et (b) le développement et l’évaluation de l’efficacité de deux interventions psychologiques de groupe sur la régulation de l’anxiété après la radiothérapie. <p><p>Les résultats de la première étude (a) montrent que les niveaux d’anxiété les plus élevés sont observés lors de la simulation et de la première séance de radiothérapie et diminuent, ensuite, rapidement jusqu’à la fin du traitement. Bien que les niveaux d’anxiété soient relativement faibles pour de nombreuses patientes et semblent être de nature anticipatoire, certaines patientes présentent des niveaux cliniquement significatifs d’anxiété. De plus, un niveau cliniquement significatif d’anxiété à la première séance de radiothérapie est prédit par des facteurs liés à la communication entre les patientes et l’équipe de radiothérapie. Les résultats de la seconde étude (b) indiquent qu’une intervention de groupe à composantes multiples qui combine le soutien, les techniques cognitivo-comportementales et l’hypnose est plus efficace qu’une intervention de groupe à composante unique basée sur le soutien pour aider les patientes à mieux réguler leur anxiété après la radiothérapie. <p><p>Les résultats de ce travail de thèse soulignent l’importance d’évaluer l’anxiété chez les patientes à des moments critiques de leurs parcours médical et d’identifier les patientes qui présentent des niveaux cliniquement significatifs d’anxiété pour leur offrir un soutien adapté. Ces résultats suggèrent également d’améliorer les prises en charge afin de réduire l’anxiété des patientes. Des prises en charge offertes par les équipes de radiothérapie nécessitent une personnalisation de la communication établie avec les patientes et l’utilisation de stratégies proactives d’évaluation, d’information et de soutien. Des prises en charge psychologiques de groupe nécessitent quant à elles de combiner les composantes thérapeutiques les plus optimales. Enfin, ce travail de thèse souligne l’importance de continuer à développer et à améliorer les méthodes d’évaluation et d’intervention.<p> / Doctorat en Sciences Psychologiques et de l'éducation / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished

In this work, we found that proliferation-related prognostic gene signatures could aid treatment decision-making independent of age. This is clinically relevant for the younger breast cancer population given the potential long-term side effects of adjuvant systemic chemotherapy and hence the need to identify patients who are less likely to benefit adjuvant chemotherapy. In addition, it was clear that young age at diagnosis adds extra biological complexity, which is independent of differences in breast cancer subtype distribution. This includes enrichment with known breast cancer targets like RANKL. Whilst these results require further validation, either experimentally or in other clinical data sets, it suggests that separate therapeutic approaches may need to be specifically designed in order to improve outcomes for breast cancer arising in young women. In this regard, and based on our results and supportive evidence from other studies, we initiated a proof-of-concept prospective phase II neoadjuvant study investigating the role of denosumab, a RANKL inhibitor on modulating tumor biology in young premenopausal breast cancer patients. <p>We found that diagnosis during pregnancy does not significantly influence the classic pathological features or the prevalence of breast cancer subtypes. We also did not find obvious differences in the distribution of PIK3CA mutations. However, we found that tumors diagnosed during pregnancy have activated serotonin receptor signaling and high expression of potential breast cancer targets; of particular interest IGF1, and PDL1. Such differences appeared to be reflected in the normal pregnant breast underscoring the potential role of the pregnant breast microenvironment on the tumor transcriptome. We were not able to associate these genes with prognosis, which could be partly due to lack of statistical power. Of note, we cannot confirm whether any of these aberrations are key drivers of the biology of tumors diagnosed during pregnancy. Nevertheless, this remains the first study to look into the biology of this relatively rare disease and hence we believe it would serve as a very valuable resource for future research in this field. We are planning to perform targeted gene sequencing to further refine our understanding of the potential effect of pregnancy on the biology of these tumors. <p>In the last part of this work addressing the safety of pregnancy following breast cancer diagnosis, we identified that available studies suffered major limitations related to study design including selection bias and lack of information on patients with history of an ER-positive disease. This has resulted in advising against pregnancy in women with prior history of breast cancer. Our subsequent study has robustly addressed most of the limitations in older studies and clearly showed that pregnancy following breast cancer is safe even in women with a history of ER-positive disease. Hence, this study would provide a very important resource for the oncology community, which would aid adequate fertility counseling for young breast cancer survivors. This work is currently serving as the basis for a new prospective study by the IBCSG to test the safety of early interruption of tamoxifen in young women with early breast cancer seeking subsequent pregnancy. <p> / Doctorat en Sciences biomédicales et pharmaceutiques / info:eu-repo/semantics/nonPublished