Assessing the support needs of women with early breast cancer in Australia

Cancer Nurs. 2004 Mar-Apr;27(2):169-74. doi: 10.1097/00002820-200403000-00011.

Abstract

The purpose of the current study was to access the degree to which the support needs of women with a newly diagnosed, early invasive, primary breast cancer and their families are being met. A random sample of 544 women diagnosed with early breast cancer was recruited to participate in a telephone survey via state and territory cancer registries. Sixteen percent of women reported not receiving enough support during their diagnosis and treatment, and only 65% of these women reported that their families received enough support. The primary sources of support for women and their families were medical practitioners (eg, surgeons, oncologists, and general practitioner) with very few women or family members utilizing mental health professionals. Given the importance of adequate support when being diagnosed and treated for breast cancer, urgent attention needs to be paid to training medical professionals in providing appropriate support and referrals for their patients.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Psychological
  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Attitude to Health*
  • Australia
  • Breast Neoplasms / diagnosis
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology*
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy
  • Family / psychology
  • Female
  • Health Care Surveys
  • Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice
  • Health Services Accessibility / standards
  • Humans
  • Middle Aged
  • Needs Assessment / organization & administration*
  • Referral and Consultation / standards
  • Registries
  • Social Support*
  • Surveys and Questionnaires
  • Women / education
  • Women / psychology*
  • Women's Health Services / standards