Made available in DSpace on 2016-08-03T16:34:46Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 1 ELIANA FERRANTE PIRES.pdf: 282230 bytes, checksum: 43e10c15c5ef4c64c0b4720ce5aa2fb6 (MD5) Previous issue date: 2008-08-15 / This search proposes to describe convictions health factors present in patients with cancer, which can interfere with the process of accession to treatment. For both were used testemonials of six patients in the form of directed interviews, involved in a program of service helth at a university of Greater Sao Paulo. The content of the interviews was analyzed according to a model of conviction health, which advocates that the patients will have greater opportunities to adhere to the following five treatments convictions basics health, namely: susceptibility, severity, benefits, barriers, own efficiency. A extension of this model was proposed by another study that adds two more categories to the existing: impact on diagnosis and expectations for the future.(AU) / O objetivo deste artigo é tecer algumas reflexões acerca das convicções de saúde em pacientes com câncer, participantes de um programa de atendimento multidisciplinar realizado numa universidade da Grande São Paulo. Foram utilizados depoimentos de 06 (seis) pacientes, na forma de entrevistas dirigidas e o conteúdo analisado segundo um modelo de convicção de saúde, o qual preconiza que o paciente terá maiores possibilidades de aderir aos tratamentos, seguindo cinco convicções básicas de saúde, a saber: suscetibilidade, severidade, benefícios, barreiras, eficácia própria. Uma ampliação deste modelo foi proposta por outro estudo que acrescenta mais duas categorias às já existentes: impacto ao diagnóstico e expectativas de futuro.(AU)

Made available in DSpace on 2014-06-11T19:29:00Z (GMT). No. of bitstreams: 0 Previous issue date: 2010-02-24Bitstream added on 2014-06-13T20:18:43Z : No. of bitstreams: 1 forgerini_m_me_bauru.pdf: 1241123 bytes, checksum: 1ede7af675fc54eef44fbbfbe5e4bdcf (MD5) / Fundação de Amparo à Pesquisa do Estado de São Paulo (FAPESP) / As taxas de cãncer de mama aumentam a cada ano, classificando o Brasil entre um dos países com maior incidência deste tipo de cãncer em todo o mundo. Este dado revela que esta ainda é uma doença permeada por intensos sentimentos de vergonha e medo, que fazem com que muitos pacientes mantenham silêncio e não procurem auxílio médico. Em se tratando do cãncer de mama, estes sentimentos parecem ser ainda mais intensos agravados pelo medo da mutilação de uma parte do corpo considerada como um dos principais símbolos da identidade feminina. Avanços na área da Oncologia t~em proporcionado diagnósticos mais precoces e tratamentos mais efetivos para diversos tipos de cânceres, como também a cura para alguns casos e um aumento expressivo na possibilidade de sobrevivência dos pacientes oncológicos. No caso de câncer de mama, atualmente já é possível uma abordagem menos mutiladora de tratamento, bem como a reconstrução total da mama perdida. Entretanto, por ser uma doença fortemente vinculada à idéia de morte, provoca uma marca existencial, presente mesmo em pacientes que sobreviveram a tal enfermidade. Tendo em vista que o significafo do câncer na vida de uma pessoa que vivencia ou vivenciou esta situação é muito particular e pessoal, este estudo, buscou investigar as vivências de mulheres que estão fora do tratamento de câncer de mama ou em fase de controle da doença, identificando os mecanismos de proteção que apareceram nos relatos das participantes como importantes para a adaptação à vida após o adoecimento e o tratamento do câncer, bem como modos de ser que puderam ser compreendidos como indicadores de resiliência, no processo de enfrentamento do câncer. Neste estudo, de natureza qualitativa, fundamentado no método fenomenológico de investigação, foram entrevistados dez mulheres, com idades entre... / The rates of cancer increases each year in the female population, raking the Brazil among the countries with higher incidence of this kind of cancer around the world. Beside these high mortality rates, the literature shows that the diagnosis of the breast cancer still is accompanied for intense feelings of shame and fear, in which causes many women to maintain silence and not seek medical assistance. In the case of breast cancer, such feelings are compounded by the fear of mutilation of a body part considered one of the main symbols of female identity. Advances in Oncology have provided early diagnosis and more effective treatments for several types of cancers, as well as the cure for some cases and a significant increase in the possibility of survival of cancer patients. In the case of breast cancer, nowadays it is possible a less multilating treatment and the total reconstruction of the lost breast. However, being a disease strongly linked to the idea of death, causes an existential mark, present even in patients who have survived this illness. Owing to the meaning of cancer in a person life who lives or has lived this situation is private and personal, this study sought to investigate the experiences of women who are out of treatment of breast cancer or stage of diasead control, identifying the protection mechanisms that have appeared in the accounts of participants as important for adaptation to life after the illness and cancer treatment, as well as way to be in which could be understood as indicators of resilience in the process of coping with cancer. In this qualitative study, based on the phenomenological method of investigation, ten women aged between 53 and 78 years who had undergone treatment for breast cancer and who were in the period of disease control, out of treatment for at least five years were interviewed. The transcribed... (Complete abstract click electronic access below)

O trabalho tem como tema central o estudo teórico e a pesquisa empírica das variáveis esperança, crenças esperançosas e sentido de vida em pacientes com diagnóstico de câncer. No plano teórico, objetivou estudar a Teoria Antropológica La Espera y la Esperanza, de Laín Entralgo, procurando aplicá-la à experiência profissional em Psico-Oncologia; estabelecer uma relação teórica entre o conceito de esperança, de Laín Entralgo, e o conceito psicológico de crença; buscar um vínculo entre o conceito de esperança de Laín Entralgo e o conceito de sentido da vida de Viktor Frankl; e, desvelar a complementaridade da contribuição de Buber ao conceito de sentido de vida, de Frankl, no sentido de que a análise do encontro seria favorecedora do sentido da vida ou de uma mudança de um sentido já acolhido. No plano empírico, investigou os possíveis efeitos psicológicos e sua repercussão no estado de saúde geral do paciente oncológico, decorrente de uma intervenção psicológica fundamentada por esses princípios teóricos. Foi conduzido um estudo exploratório, de natureza qualitativa, baseado na estratégia da pesquisa-ação. Participaram, voluntariamente, quatro homens, com diagnóstico de neoplasia maligna (câncer de próstata = 2; câncer de intestino = 1; câncer de língua = 1), média de idade 62,8 (4,3) e escolaridade 6,8 (3,4). As informações foram coletadas através de entrevistas individuais semi-estruturadas, com frequência semanal e duração de 1h30. Empregou-se o Mini-Exame do Estado Mental (MEEM) para rastreio de déficit cognitivo e o Inventário Beck de Depressão (BDI) para identificação de presença de sintomatologia depressiva. O resultados obtidos no MEEM (28,31,7) revelaram ausência de declínio cognitivo. Os escores do BDI indicaram ausência de sintomas significativos de depressão. Os depoimentos dos participantes foram analisados com base no método de Análise de Conteúdo (Bardin), através da técnica de Análise Temática. Os achados indicam que: crenças esperançosas vinculam o sentido da vida à esperança; a busca de um sentido para a existência é variável importante quando se trata das condutas consequentes da esperança: passividade e atividade; o caráter complementar da contribuição de Buber ao conceito de sentido de vida de Frankl evidencia-se na convivência, em especial na relação dialógica, que se mostra favorecedora da descoberta do sentido da vida ou de uma mudança de um sentido já acolhido; os pacientes esperançosos são mais ativos sob diversos aspectos no sentido físico, psicológico e social, quando o seu estado físico assim o permite, do que aqueles que se mostram desesperançados; as pessoas esperançosas tendem a resignar-se e a encontrar alternativas psicologicamente mais saudáveis em face da doença do que aquelas que se mostram mais desesperançadas. Considerando a natureza da pesquisa, o reduzido número de participantes, usuários do SUS e sob os cuidados do mesmo médico, estes achados devem ser examinados com cautela posto que representam indícios reveladores de que exista uma relação entre crenças esperançosas e a evolução do câncer, favorecida pelo sentido da vida. / The work is focused on the theoretical and empirical research variables hope, believes hopeful and meaning of life in patients with cancer. In theory, it aimed to study the Anthropological Theory of Laín Entralgo, La Espera y la Esperanza, seeking to apply it to professional experience in Psycho-Oncology; to establish a theoretical relationship between the concept of hope, of Laín Entralgo, and the psychological concept of belief; to search for a bond between the concept of hope of Laín Entralgo and the concept meaning of life of Viktor Frankl; and unveiling the complementarity of Buber's contribution to the concept of meaning of life of Frankl, in the sense that the analysis of the encounter would be favoring the meaning of life or a change of a meaning already accepted. On the empirical level investigated the possible psychological effects and its impact on general health status of the oncologic patient, resulting from a psychological intervention based on these theoretical principles. It was conducted an exploratory study, of a qualitative nature, based on the strategy of action research. Participated voluntarily, four men with a diagnosis of malignant neoplasm (prostate cancer = 2; intestine cancer = 1; tongue cancer = 1), mean age of 62.8 (4.3) and educational level 6.8 (3 4). Information was gathered through individual semi-structured, with weekly attendance and duration of 1.5 hours. It was used the Mini Mental State Examination (MMSE) for screening cognitive impairment and the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI) for the identification of the presence of depressive symptoms. The results obtained on the MMSE (28.3 1.7) have revealed no cognitive impairment. The BDI scores indicated no significant symptoms of depression. The testimonials of the participants were examined based on the method of Contents Analysis (Bardin), using the technique of thematic analysis. The findings indicate that: believes hopeful be binding on the meaning of life to hope; the search for meaning existence is an important variable when it comes to behaviors consequential of the hope: passivity and activity; the complementary character of the contribution of Buber to the meaning in life concept of Frankl is evident in the living together, especially in the dialogical relationship, which shows favoring of the discovery of meaning of life or a change of a meaning already accepted; the hopeful patients are most active in diverse aspects in the physical sense, psychological and social, when his physical state allows it, than those who appear hopeless; the hopeful people tend to resign themselves and find alternatives psychologically more healthful in the face of the disease than those that are more hopeless. Considering the nature of the research, the limited number of participants, SUS users and under the care of the same physician, these findings should be examined with caution given that represent evidence which suggested that there is a relationship between believes hopeful and cancer evolution, favored by the meaning of life.

Os objetivos do estudo são compreender como pacientes com câncer vivenciam o fenômeno da religiosidade e da fé, e como profissionais de saúde significam a religiosidade e a fé dos pacientes em tratamento de câncer e como vivenciam esse fenômeno. O tema religiosidade é considerado atual e importante para a época onde ainda falta uma atenção a esse aspecto aos pacientes com doenças graves. Trata-se de uma pesquisa qualitativa-descritiva, sob o referencial de análise fenomenológica em Stein (1999b) e Ales Bello (2006a), um modo de compreender e analisar o ser humano na sua totalidade - física, psíquica e espiritual, que possibilita um aprofundamento e uma correlação entre sua interioridade e exterioridade que se mostram nos desdobramentos das análises desenvolvidas. É no sentido das falas dos colaboradores onde se apóia a análise fenomenológica, enquanto descrição que quer conhecer intuitiva e imediatamente o que há \"por trás\" dessas falas. No presente estudo revelou que os pacientes com câncer mostram pertencer a uma diversidade de religiões: a maioria é de Evangélicos e Espíritas, a minoria são de Católicos. Os pacientes significam a religião como um meio de suporte e sustento fundamental nos momentos de dor e sofrimento causados pelo câncer e por seu tratamento. Eles percebem a comunidade religiosa como um apoio espiritual, com a qual eles podem compartilhar os seus sentimentos, os seus conflitos, as suas dores e serem acolhidos, como são, na sua finitude. Alguns mostram que puderam viver na vida transformações de valores que ainda não tinham sido vividos e nem experimentados, e passam a agir através destes. Nesse estudo, apresento também a experiência tal como vivida pelos profissionais de saúde a partir de seus relatos a maioria deles não freqüenta nenhuma igreja. Dois dizem Católicos praticantes e um Católico não praticante. A maioria dos profissionais diz Espiritualista, um médico se diz Budista e uma Espírita. Esses acreditam que a religião é inerente a todo ser humano. Eles confiam nos valores humanos e experienciam uma \"religião pessoal\". Eles expressam nas religiões os valores positivos que recebem os seus fiéis e estes procuram aprender vivê-los. A religião pode se viver individualmente (sozinho), ou seja, ser autônomo nos seus atos, sem influência do pastor, do padre que seja para orientar a seguir a estrada da vida. Os que são convictos de suas religiões (menos da metade) dos profissionais acreditam na proteção divina. Têm na Palavra de Deus e em Nossa Senhora o sustento para suas ações, tem uma disposição e motivação diferente para tratar com os doentes. A religião é vivenciada por elas de um modo humano e verdadeiro. Elas mostram vivê-lo com amor, ao se aproximar e se \"jogar\" por inteiro na relação com os pacientes e com os outros profissionais da equipe. No geral, os profissionais significam a importância da religiosidade para o paciente e sua família, mas estas devem vir como sustento e proteção para enfrentar a situação; eles esperam que esses enfermos vivam a sua fé com prudência e sempre aderindo à realidade. / This study aims to understand how cancer patients experience the phenomenon of religiosity and faith, as well as how health professionals signify the religiosity and faith of patients receiving cancer treatment and how they themselves experience this phenomenon. Religiosity is considered a current and important theme for a time in which attention to this aspect is still lacking for patients with severe diseases. This is a qualitative-descriptive research, using the reference framework of phenomenological analysis according to Stein (1999b) and Ales Bello (2006a), a way of understanding and analyzing human beings in their physical, mental and spiritual wholeness, permitting a more in-depth correlation between their interiority and exteriority that appear in the unfolding of the analyses. Phenomenological analysis is based on the collaborators\' discourse, as a description that intuitively and immediately wants to get to know what lies \"behind\" these statements. In the present study, cancer patients belonged to a range of religions: most of them were evangelics and spiritists, and a minority catholics. Patients signify religion as a means of support and fundamental sustenance in moments of pain and suffering caused by cancer and its treatment. They perceive the religious community as spiritual support, through which they can share their feelings, conflicts, pains and be welcomed as they are, in their finiteness. Some show that, in life, they could experience transformations in values they had neither lived nor experienced, and start to act through these. In this study, we also present the experience as health professionals live it, based on their reports, as most of them do not attend any church. Two say they are practicing catholics and one nonpracticing. Most professionals say they are spiritualists, one physician mentions he is a buddhist and one spiritist. They believe that religion is inherent in all human beings. They trust in human values and experience a \"personal religion\". In religions, they express the positive values their believers receive and the latter attempt to learn how to live accordingly. Religion can be lived individually (alone), that is, being autonomous in one\'s acts, without influence from the minister or priest to guide them in order to follow the route of life. Professionals convicted of their religion (less than half) believe in divine protection. The word of God and the Holy Virgin sustains their actions, giving them a different willingness and motivation to treat the ill. They experience religion in a humane and truthful way. They demonstrate that they experience this with love, by getting closer and \"casting\" themselves entirely into the relationship with patients and with other team professionals. In general, professionals signify the importance of religiosity for patients and their families, but it should serve as support and protection to face the situation; they expect patients to live their faith prudently, always adhering to reality.

O câncer colorretal é o segundo tipo que mais causa mortes no Brasil. Podem ser utilizados vários tratamentos para esses casos, tais como a quimioterapia, radioterapia e cirurgias, dentre as quais, a colostomia. Apesar de trazer sobrevida, a colostomia pode acarretar mudanças físicas e psicológicas que impactam diretamente os doentes. Pesquisas na área da Psico-oncologia são consideradas importantes nesses casos, pois estudam as dimensões psicológicas do câncer sob diferentes aspectos. Na presente dissertação, foi realizado estudo de caso instrumental com dois sujeitos cada qual se relacionando em regime de união estável com o objetivo de analisar as questões psicodinâmicas envolvidas na vivência da própria sexualidade após a colostomia. Para atingir tal objetivo, foram realizadas entrevistas semiestruturadas e o teste psicológico HTP. Os resultados foram analisados sob enfoque psicanalítico e indicaram: queda na autoestima; autoimagem corporal negativa; isolamento social e dificuldades na aceitação do uso da bolsa coletora; luto pela perda do corpo saudável; vergonha e receio de que os outros percebam sua condição de colostomizado. A dinâmica psíquica de cada entrevistado impactou a maneira de experienciar esse processo. Com personalidades e formas de enfrentamento distintas, foram encontradas diferenças na forma de lidar com seus próprios relacionamentos afetivos. A despeito dessas questões, a colostomia emergiu como a principal culpada pelo distanciamento ocorrido entre as partes, em relação a ambos os casais, embora muitos reveses já estivessem presentes na rotina conjugal antes mesmo da cirurgia. Além disso, a falta de apoio conjugal, indiferença por parte do companheiro e dificuldades na convivência colaboraram para o surgimento de barreiras entre o casal, contribuindo para a derrocada da vida sexual. Os pacientes não foram encaminhados para acompanhamento psicológico, embora considerem a psicoterapia importante. Não encontraram oportunidade em serviços públicos de saúde para dirimir dúvidas e abordar questões de ordem pessoal, conjugal ou sexual / Colorectal is the second type of cancer that causes death in Brazil. There are some kinds of treatment for this disease, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and surgeries, such as the colostomy. Although this surgery increases survival rates, colostomy might bring physical and psychological changes which impact directly patients on this condition. Researches in the field of psycho-oncology are important on this cases, considering it comprehends psychological dimensions of cancer by differents perspectives. An instrumental study was carried out, with two participants, both living in a common-law marriage. The goal of this research was to analyze psychodynamic aspects involved on their sexual experience after colostomy. In order to accomplish this goal, semi-structured interviews were conducted as well as the application of the psychological test HTP. The results were analyzed by the psychoanalytical approach and indicated self-esteem decrease; negative self-body perception; social isolation and difficulties in accepting the use of the colostomy bag; mourning over the lost healthy body; shame and concerns about others realize they are carrying a colostomy bag. Each personal patients psycho dynamic impacted the way of dealing with this process. Having distinct personalities and coping strategies, differences were found on the way of dealing with their own relationships. Despite these questions, colostomy had emerged as the main reason for the emotional distance in the relationship, even though a lot of setbacks were already part of their daily routine before the surgery. Furthermore, lack of conjugal support, partners indifference and cohabitation adversities cooperated for the emergence of barriers between the couple and all of that contributed to decadence of sexual life. The patients were not referred to psychological support, despite considering psychotherapy important. They have not found any opportunity to dispel doubts about personal, conjugal or sexual subjects on public health care system

Sabemos que o câncer é considerado um problema de saúde pública, muitas são as pessoas acometidas por esta enfermidade e a tendência é que aumente cada vez mais. Paralelo às enormes proporções de incidência do câncer está o aumento no número de pessoas que alcançam sucesso no tratamento oncológico, surgindo um novo grupo: os sobreviventes de câncer. Neste trabalho, entendemos como sobrevivente de câncer o paciente que está há no mínimo cinco anos fora de tratamento, sem apresentar evidência da doença. Sendo assim, define-se como objetivo geral desta pesquisa: discutir os aspectos emocionais de pacientes que terminaram o tratamento oncológico há no mínimo cinco anos. A amostra é constituída por dez participantes que tiveram câncer adulto e terminaram o tratamento oncológico há no mínimo cinco anos em um hospital público da cidade de Aracaju. Para a coleta de dados desta pesquisa foi elaborado um roteiro de entrevista semi-estruturada. Os dados foram analisados de forma qualitativa, utilizando a técnica de análise de conteúdo. Assim, este trabalho mostra que, sobreviver ao câncer é uma experiência complexa, ligada ao modo de enfrentamento e adaptação de cada um. Constitui-se um desafio para os sobreviventes apropriar-se da condição de curado, uma vez que a possibilidade de volta da doença é algo a se considerar, sendo necessário que o sobrevivente consiga elaborar a experiência passada e conviva com a incerteza do futuro. O presente estudo reflete ainda sobre a importância de que não se trata apenas de curar o paciente, mas de oferecer meios para que possa retomar sua vida, integrar-se ao seu meio social. Nesse contexto, a equipe de saúde deve incluir em seus planos terapêuticos ações além dos aspectos clínicos da doença, preocupando-se também com o apoio emocional e social, promovendo o aprimoramento de habilidades de enfrentamento para lidar com a nova condição de saúde e libertar-se do passado, auxiliando os sobreviventes a conviver com esta dualidade que é inerente a vida / Cancer is considered a public health problem. Many people are affected by this illness and there is a tendency for its increasing. However, parallel to the large proportions of cancer incidence, there is the increasing number of people who reach success on cancer treatment. This causes the emergence of a new group: the cancer survivors. We understand a cancer survivor as the patient that hasnt been treated for five years and has no evidence of the disease. The general objective of this research is to discuss the emotional aspects of this group of patients. The sample is constituted by cancer survivors from a public hospital in the city of Aracaju. The data was organized through a semi-structured interview guide that had been previously elaborated. The data was analyzed on a qualitative way, using the content analysis technique. Thus, this research shows that surviving cancer is a complex experience, and it is connected to the way each patient confronts and get adapted to the cure process. Appropriated cure conditions constitute a challenge to survivors once the possibility of the disease return has to be analyzed. The survivor needs to succeed on elaborating the past experience and live with the uncertainty of the future. This study also emphasizes that it is not just a matter of getting the patient cured, but also providing means of resuming to his/her life, and reintegrating him/her into the social environment. In this context, the health care team should include in their treatment plans, actions that goes beyond the clinical aspects of the disease, offering emotional and social support, promoting the improvement of coping skills to deal with their new condition and to get rid of the past, helping survivors to live with the duality inherent in life

Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is regarded as one of the most common and distressing issues affecting cancer survivors. Observational studies have identified several modifiable characteristics associated with FCR. However, many of the findings are based on post-hoc analyses and come from studies in which FCR was not identified as a primary outcome. This study sought to overcome these limitations by using a model comprised of cognitive, behavioral, and social characteristics as a framework for examining modifiable characteristics associated with FCR. A sample of 120 patients who had been diagnosed with colorectal cancer and completed cancer treatment in the past 6 to 36 months was recruited during routine outpatient visits or by mail for participation in the study. Medical record reviews were conducted to assess clinical variables, and participants filled out a standard demographic questionnaire as well as self-report measures of characteristics resistant to modification (perceived risk of recurrence, neuroticism, conscientiousness), cognitive modifiable characteristics (self-efficacy, positive beliefs about worry, negative beliefs about worry, misinterpretation of symptoms, intolerance of uncertainty and rumination), behavioral modifiable characteristics (reassurance seeking and health-related reassurance seeking), and social modifiable characteristics (social support and social constraints). As hypothesized, results demonstrated that modifiable characteristics (i.e., self efficacy, positive beliefs about worry, negative beliefs about worry, intolerance of uncertainty, rumination, reassurance seeking, health-related reassurance seeking and social constraints) were associated with FCR (all p’s < .05). Multivariable regression analyses demonstrated that modifiable characteristics accounted for 13% of the variance in FCR beyond that accounted for by non-modifiable characteristics (p < .001), with self-efficacy, rumination and health-related reassurance seeking accounting for unique variance in FCR. This study has identified several modifiable characteristics that should be considered as targets for interventions seeking to reduce FCR among cancer survivors.

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer in women worldwide with one in 29 women diagnosed with breast cancer each year in South Africa (CANSA, 2010). Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can impact important areas of a woman’s life: her relationship with herself as an individual and woman; her relationship with family members as a mother, wife, daughter and caregiver; her relationship with the environment as community member and career woman and her relationship with her religion and spiritual deity. In the reality of a woman with breast cancer, there are certain roles that arise from her relationship with herself and the world around her. This is related to with social functioning which is the fulfilment of an individual’s roles, that are created by the individual’s interactions with his/her own self, family, society and environment. The diagnosis of breast cancer is marked by mixed emotions from the patient, including shock, denial and anxiety. Cancer treatment includes surgical intervention such as biopsy, lumpectomy and mastectomy; chemotherapy; radiation therapy and hormone therapy. The various cancer treatments have different side effects that the patient needs to cope with and adjust to. Breast cancer has an adverse effect on women and can influence social functioning in different ways during the phases of diagnosis, treatment and recovery. This study focuses on breast cancer’s influence on the social functioning of women. The goal of this study was: to explore the social functioning of women with breast cancer. The research question that guided this study is: how does breast cancer affect the social functioning of women? A qualitative research approach was followed with a collective case study research design. The population for this study was women who have been diagnosed with breast cancer and are clients of CANSA Potchefstroom. In this study non-probability, purposive sampling was used to generate a sample. Eight participants who were diagnosed with breast cancer were selected for this study. Semi-structured individual interviews were conducted with participants. Interviews were voice recorded with the permission of the participants and were transcribed by a contracted professional transcriber. The data were analysed by the researcher and themes and sub-themes were identified. The research findings are presented by providing a profile of the research participants and presenting the thematic analysis of the themes and sub-themes. In support of the findings a literature review and verbatim quotes from the transcriptions are given. The themes include the following: Theme One – Understanding cancer; Theme Two – Social functioning of women with breast cancer within the context of their life world; Theme Three - Social functioning of women with breast cancer within the context of their family and Theme Four - Social functioning of women with breast cancer within the context of their community. The conclusions of this study indicate that breast cancer affects the social functioning of women in different areas of their lives. These women experienced changes in their personalities, spiritual aspects, physical abilities and roles. The family and community are supportive towards patients with breast cancer and this assists the woman diagnosed with breast cancer to cope. The recommendations offered by this study can be used by professionals working with women who are diagnosed with breast cancer, to understand the influence of breast cancer on the social functioning of women and to assist social workers in their intervention with these women. / Dissertation (MSW)--University of Pretoria, 2013. / lmchunu2014 / Social Work and Criminology / unrestricted

Previous research suggests that lung cancer patients are at an increased risk for depressive symptomatology; however, little is known about the possible etiology or correlates of depression among these patients. This study examined the relationship between perceived stigma and depressive symptomatology among lung cancer patients, and sought to find potential mediators of this relationship. It was hypothesized that more perceived stigma would be related to greater depressive symptomatology and that perceived stigma would contribute unique variance to depressive symptomatology above and beyond that contributed by clinical, demographic, and psychosocial variables. A sample of 95 participants receiving chemotherapy for stage II-IV non-small cell lung cancer was recruited during routine outpatient chemotherapy visits. A medical chart review was conducted to assess clinical factors and participants completed a standard demographic questionnaire as well as measures of perceived stigma, depressive symptomatology, and other psychosocial variables. As hypothesized, there was a positive association of perceived stigma to depressive symptomatology. Perceived stigma contributed significant unique variance to depressive symptomatology. In addition dyadic adjustment and dysfunctional attitudes mediated this relationship. Future research should aim to replicate and extend these findings in longitudinal analyses and attempt to ameliorate lung cancer patients' depressive symptomatology by targeting perceived stigma.

Indiana University-Purdue University Indianapolis (IUPUI) / Only one third of older breast cancer survivors (BCS) meet national physical activity (PA) guidelines. Theories of self-regulation and research with older adults suggest that executive function (EF) plays an important role in PA, yet the impact of lower EF on older survivors’ PA is unknown. My project addressed this gap using secondary data from the Thinking and Living with Cancer (TLC) cohort study, which examined cognitive function among older BCS pre-treatment, followed every 12 months, and contemporaneously assessed matched controls. My first aim was to test two hypotheses regarding EF change and PA and determine if these relationships differ between BCS and controls. My hypotheses were: 1) EF decline from baseline to 12 months will predict lower PA at 24 months, and 2) lower PA at 12 months will predict EF decline from 12 to 24 months. My second aim was to explore whether the effects of EF change on PA in BCS differed based on risk factors for accelerated cognitive decline (i.e., older age, more advanced cancer stage, comorbidity, and APOE ε4 genotype). The TLC study measured EF with neuropsychological tests and PA with the International Physical Activity Questionnaire-Short Form. For aims 1 and 2, I used multiple regression with multiple imputation. Primary results showed no significant effect of EF change from baseline to 12 months on PA at 24 months (β=-0.01, p=0.88) and no significant group (BCS vs. controls) by EF interaction (β=-0.05, p=0.33). Separate models in BCS and controls showed similar findings. In the entire sample, PA at 12 months significantly predicted EF change from 12 to 24 months (β=0.17, p=0.01), but there was no significant group by PA interaction (β=-0.06, p=0.54). Separate analyses by group found a significant effect of PA for controls (β=0.07, p=0.02), but not for BCS (β=0.05, p=0.27). Regarding the second aim, there were no significant interactions between EF change and the proposed risk factors on PA. Findings were largely inconsistent with theory and prior research. Continued research in this area will inform future exercise interventions to improve physical and cognitive health for the growing population of older cancer survivors.