<p> Although breast cancer is typically considered a disease that affects women at an older age, younger women are also impacted by breast cancer. Additionally, current literature suggests that women who are diagnosed at a younger age face greater challenges adjusting to breast cancer survivorship. Young survivors are often in the midst of starting their career, beginning a family, and planning for their future. Thus, a cancer diagnosis drastically interrupts these plans. This study examined the relationship between different variables that are commonly studied in young breast cancer survivorship. Women were eligible if they were diagnosed between the ages of 19-45 years, were post-treatment at the time of the study, and first-time survivors of breast cancer. Participants were recruited from social media websites, online support and advocacy group, and cancer centers across the United States. Participants completed an online survey. This study examines the structure of the hypothesized latent variables included in a proposed structural model of psychosocial adjustment to breast cancer survivorship. Two of the four hypothesized latent factors were supported by the data, and a revised structural model of psychosocial adjustment to young breast cancer survivorship is provided. Follow-up research should examine the structural model and determine the most important factors in predicting young breast cancer survivors' quality of life and life satisfaction. </p>
| Identifer | oai:union.ndltd.org:PROQUEST/oai:pqdtoai.proquest.com:1556867 |
| Date | 19 July 2014 |
| Creators | Martens, Kellie |
| Publisher | University of Colorado at Denver |
| Source Sets | ProQuest.com |
| Language | English |
| Detected Language | English |
| Type | thesis |
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