Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-139). Also available online (PDF file) by a subscription to the set or by purchasing the individual file.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Indiana University, 2004. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 131-139).

Thesis (M.S.W.)--University of Hong Kong, 1985.

O objetivo da presente tese foi examinar como otimismo, autoestima e suporte social relacionam-se para predizer qualidade de vida em mulheres com CA de mama. Para tanto o trabalho foi dividido em três estudos. O primeiro estudo caracterizou-se por uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica sobre as relações entre otimismo e suporte social em mulheres com câncer de mama a partir da perspectiva da psicologia positiva. Como resultados observou-se que a produção científica sobre a temática estudada ainda é pouca e apresenta um crescimento lento. Os resultados sugerem que as mulheres com maior otimismo e suporte social tendem a se envolver em comportamentos mais saudáveis, contribuindo para melhor qualidade de vida. O segundo estudo teve como objetivo validar e adaptar a escala de suporte social percebido (2-WAY SSS). A dimensionalidade da escala, suas características psicométricas e evidências de validade foram verificadas. O terceiro e, último estudo, testou dois modelos: 1) Modelo de moderação – no qual otimismo, autoestima e suporte social percebido interagem e afetam a qualidade de vida; 2) Modelo de mediação – no qual foram observados os efeitos diretos e indiretos do otimismo na qualidade de vida, tendo como variáveis mediadoras autoestima e suporte social percebido. Os resultados demonstraram que os dados do estudo foram mais consistentes com o modelo de mediação, ou seja, autoestima e suporte social funcionam como mediadores do otimismo para a qualidade de vida. Conclui-se que as implicações desses resultados podem ter um impacto significativo sobre como as mulheres acometidas de câncer de mama vivenciam as diferentes etapas da doença, desde seu diagnóstico até a remissão total ou parcial. / The aim of this thesis was to examine how optimism, self-esteem and social support are related to predict quality of life in women with breast cancer. Therefore the work was divided into three studies. The first study was characterized by a systematic review of the scientific literature about the relationship between optimism and social support in women with breast cancer from the positive psychology perspective. The results showed that the scientific literature on the subject studied is still scarce and shows a slow growth. The results suggest that women with greater optimism and social support tend to engage in healthier behaviors, contributing to better quality of life. The second study was the adaptation and validation of a scale to assess the perceived social support. The psychometric characteristics, internal consistency and convergent and predictive validity were tested and the instrument is ready for use with the Brazilian population. The last study tested two models: 1) Moderation model - in which optimism, self-esteem and perceived social support interact and affect the quality of life; 2) Mediation model – were observed the direct and indirect effects of optimism on quality of life, with the mediating variables self-esteem and perceived social support.. In general, the data from the current study were more consistent with the mediation model. In other words self-esteem and social support act as mediators of optimism for the quality of life. We conclude that the implications of these results may have a significant impact on how breast cancer affects women´s experiences in the different stages of the disease, from diagnosis to the total or partial remission.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, School of Public Health, 1999. / Includes bibliographical references.

O objetivo da presente tese foi examinar como otimismo, autoestima e suporte social relacionam-se para predizer qualidade de vida em mulheres com CA de mama. Para tanto o trabalho foi dividido em três estudos. O primeiro estudo caracterizou-se por uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica sobre as relações entre otimismo e suporte social em mulheres com câncer de mama a partir da perspectiva da psicologia positiva. Como resultados observou-se que a produção científica sobre a temática estudada ainda é pouca e apresenta um crescimento lento. Os resultados sugerem que as mulheres com maior otimismo e suporte social tendem a se envolver em comportamentos mais saudáveis, contribuindo para melhor qualidade de vida. O segundo estudo teve como objetivo validar e adaptar a escala de suporte social percebido (2-WAY SSS). A dimensionalidade da escala, suas características psicométricas e evidências de validade foram verificadas. O terceiro e, último estudo, testou dois modelos: 1) Modelo de moderação – no qual otimismo, autoestima e suporte social percebido interagem e afetam a qualidade de vida; 2) Modelo de mediação – no qual foram observados os efeitos diretos e indiretos do otimismo na qualidade de vida, tendo como variáveis mediadoras autoestima e suporte social percebido. Os resultados demonstraram que os dados do estudo foram mais consistentes com o modelo de mediação, ou seja, autoestima e suporte social funcionam como mediadores do otimismo para a qualidade de vida. Conclui-se que as implicações desses resultados podem ter um impacto significativo sobre como as mulheres acometidas de câncer de mama vivenciam as diferentes etapas da doença, desde seu diagnóstico até a remissão total ou parcial. / The aim of this thesis was to examine how optimism, self-esteem and social support are related to predict quality of life in women with breast cancer. Therefore the work was divided into three studies. The first study was characterized by a systematic review of the scientific literature about the relationship between optimism and social support in women with breast cancer from the positive psychology perspective. The results showed that the scientific literature on the subject studied is still scarce and shows a slow growth. The results suggest that women with greater optimism and social support tend to engage in healthier behaviors, contributing to better quality of life. The second study was the adaptation and validation of a scale to assess the perceived social support. The psychometric characteristics, internal consistency and convergent and predictive validity were tested and the instrument is ready for use with the Brazilian population. The last study tested two models: 1) Moderation model - in which optimism, self-esteem and perceived social support interact and affect the quality of life; 2) Mediation model – were observed the direct and indirect effects of optimism on quality of life, with the mediating variables self-esteem and perceived social support.. In general, the data from the current study were more consistent with the mediation model. In other words self-esteem and social support act as mediators of optimism for the quality of life. We conclude that the implications of these results may have a significant impact on how breast cancer affects women´s experiences in the different stages of the disease, from diagnosis to the total or partial remission.

O objetivo da presente tese foi examinar como otimismo, autoestima e suporte social relacionam-se para predizer qualidade de vida em mulheres com CA de mama. Para tanto o trabalho foi dividido em três estudos. O primeiro estudo caracterizou-se por uma revisão sistemática da literatura científica sobre as relações entre otimismo e suporte social em mulheres com câncer de mama a partir da perspectiva da psicologia positiva. Como resultados observou-se que a produção científica sobre a temática estudada ainda é pouca e apresenta um crescimento lento. Os resultados sugerem que as mulheres com maior otimismo e suporte social tendem a se envolver em comportamentos mais saudáveis, contribuindo para melhor qualidade de vida. O segundo estudo teve como objetivo validar e adaptar a escala de suporte social percebido (2-WAY SSS). A dimensionalidade da escala, suas características psicométricas e evidências de validade foram verificadas. O terceiro e, último estudo, testou dois modelos: 1) Modelo de moderação – no qual otimismo, autoestima e suporte social percebido interagem e afetam a qualidade de vida; 2) Modelo de mediação – no qual foram observados os efeitos diretos e indiretos do otimismo na qualidade de vida, tendo como variáveis mediadoras autoestima e suporte social percebido. Os resultados demonstraram que os dados do estudo foram mais consistentes com o modelo de mediação, ou seja, autoestima e suporte social funcionam como mediadores do otimismo para a qualidade de vida. Conclui-se que as implicações desses resultados podem ter um impacto significativo sobre como as mulheres acometidas de câncer de mama vivenciam as diferentes etapas da doença, desde seu diagnóstico até a remissão total ou parcial. / The aim of this thesis was to examine how optimism, self-esteem and social support are related to predict quality of life in women with breast cancer. Therefore the work was divided into three studies. The first study was characterized by a systematic review of the scientific literature about the relationship between optimism and social support in women with breast cancer from the positive psychology perspective. The results showed that the scientific literature on the subject studied is still scarce and shows a slow growth. The results suggest that women with greater optimism and social support tend to engage in healthier behaviors, contributing to better quality of life. The second study was the adaptation and validation of a scale to assess the perceived social support. The psychometric characteristics, internal consistency and convergent and predictive validity were tested and the instrument is ready for use with the Brazilian population. The last study tested two models: 1) Moderation model - in which optimism, self-esteem and perceived social support interact and affect the quality of life; 2) Mediation model – were observed the direct and indirect effects of optimism on quality of life, with the mediating variables self-esteem and perceived social support.. In general, the data from the current study were more consistent with the mediation model. In other words self-esteem and social support act as mediators of optimism for the quality of life. We conclude that the implications of these results may have a significant impact on how breast cancer affects women´s experiences in the different stages of the disease, from diagnosis to the total or partial remission.

<p> This thesis focuses on an examination of cortical and trabecular bone density and geometry at the radius and tibia in postmenopausal women, primarily women with history of breast carcinoma, while also assessing musculoskeletal changes in postmenopausal breast cancer patients after treatment with the Aromatase Inhibitor, Anastrozole. The first sub-study is an investigation of the reproducibility of the pQCT measurement parameters at the radius and tibia in healthy pre-and postmenopausal women. Results indicated that the reproducibility was good at the radius and even better at the tibia for all parameters measured. The second study is an appraisal of the level of osteoporosis knowledge in a cohort of postmenopausal women. The participants were assessed via the Facts on Osteoporosis Quiz, a well validated questionnaire, and the data revealed significantly lower test scores among the breast cancer subjects in comparison with healthy postmenopausal women. In the remaining group of studies, pQCT technology was utilized to describe trabecular and cortical bone at the radius and tibia in postmenopausal women and women with a history of breast carcinoma whom had been prescribed Anastrozole. The following measurement sites were significantly lower in the breast cancer subjects: TOT_DEN and TOT_CNT at the 4% radius; CRT_DEN, TOT_CNT, and CRT_CNT at the 20% radius; TOT_DEN at the 4% tibia; and CRT_DEN at the 38% tibia. With respect to time on Anastrozole, TOT_CNT at the 4% radius (r=-0.36); TOT_CNT (r=-0.33), CRT_CNT (r=-0.34) and CRT_DEN (r=-0.44) at the 20% radius; and CRT_DEN (r=-0.39) and CRT_CNT (r=-0.27) at the 38% tibia were significantly negatively correlated with days on Anastrozole. Furthermore, after two years of Anastrozole treatment in a small cohort of breast cancer subjects, there was a significant decrease in CRT_DEN (p=0.025) at the 20% diaphyseal radius and also at the 38% diaphyseal tibia (p=0.051). Together, the sub-studies that comprise this thesis demonstrate that there are noteworthy deficiencies in osteoporosis knowledge among postmenopausal women, particularly those with a history of breast carcinoma, and yet, these are the same women that have an increased need to understand the preventative and treatment options regarding this disease as they demonstrate reduced bone density at all measurement sites. It also appears that time on Anastrozole primarily affects cortical bone density in these women. In summary, this thesis provides novel details regarding cortical bone in breast cancer subjects and emphasizes the need for a normative database of bone quality parameters at different skeletal sites in order to gain a better understanding of the utility of each skeletal site with regard to fracture risk prediction. </p> / Thesis / Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Background: Based on previous research, conventional mammography screening has been found to be ineffective for women at high risk, mainly because high-risk women have high breast density and a fast progression rate of breast cancer. Recently, MRI screening was proposed as an additional complementary screening for high-risk women in Ottawa. The addition of MRI to mammography to screen the high-risk population is worth exploring as it may well address the limitations of mammography, especially since MRI has higher sensitivity. Purpose: The goal of this study is to assess the cost-effectiveness off adding MRI to mammography screening for early detection among women of the high-risk population in Ottawa by using conventional values for the society’s/government’s willingness to pay for one life year gained (US$ 50,000). Methods: A discrete-event simulation model was developed to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of adding MRI screening to mammography for high risk women breast screening in Ottawa. Three risk groups were considered; BRCA1, BRCA2 and other high risk. Based on breast annual incidence, screening features, breast cancer progression among high-risk women, treatment and breast cancer survival rates, the model simulates a hypothetical cohort consisting of 5000 women progressing from age 30 to 100 (or to natural death) and calculates the accumulated life years and costs in order to predict the cost of one life year gained by each screening strategy. Univariate sensitivity analysis was performed on the key parameters to determine the robustness of the simulation outcomes. Paired t-tests were used to determine whether the parameters’ variations are statistically significant or not. Results: In the base-case scenario, the incremental cost-effectiveness ratio (ICER) of mammography compared to both screening was CAN$30,043.48 /life year gained (95%CI ±2524.40) which means the addition of MRI to mammography is a cost-effective intervention according to the commonly used willingness-to-pay threshold of US$50,000 per life-year gained. The findings of the sensitivity analysis indicate that the cost-effectiveness of adding MRI screening is statistically significant for most of the parameter variations, however, the degree of change in the ICER is not hugely impactful as in all cases the ICER remained well below the commonly used willingness-to-pay threshold per life year gained. Conclusion: Study results suggested that the addition of MRI has an important role in improving high risk women screening in terms of increasing life years gained compared to receiving mammography screening only. The results of this study support the recommendations of Cancer Care Ontario and the Ontario Health Technology Advisory Committee guidelines of expanding the Ontario Screening Program to integrate MRI with mammography screening for high risk women aged 30 to 69 years.

Source: Masters Abstracts International, Volume: 46-05, page: 2668. Adviser: Maria E. Fernandez. Includes bibliographical references