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Peer‐counseling for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized community/research collaboration trial
Author(s) -
GieseDavis Janine,
BlissIsberg Caroline,
Wittenberg Lynne,
White Jennifer,
Star Path,
Zhong Lihong,
Cordova Matthew J.,
Houston Debra,
Spiegel David
Publication year - 2016
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.30036
Subject(s) - medicine , psychosocial , randomized controlled trial , breast cancer , intervention (counseling) , stressor , peer support , cancer , randomization , family medicine , physical therapy , clinical psychology , psychiatry
BACKGROUND We conducted a randomized controlled trial of peer‐counseling for newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients as a community/research collaboration testing an intervention developed jointly by a community‐based‐organization serving women with cancer and university researchers. METHODS We recruited 104 women newly diagnosed with BC at any disease stage. Prior to randomization, all received a one‐time visit with an oncology nurse who offered information and resources. Afterwards, we randomized half to receive a match with a Navigator with whom they could have contact for up to 6 months. We recruited, trained, and supervised 30 peer counselors who became “Navigators.” They were at least one‐year post‐diagnosis with BC. Controls received no further intervention. We tested the effect of intervention on breast‐cancer–specific well‐being and trauma symptoms as primary outcomes, and several secondary outcomes. In exploratory analyses, we tested whether responding to their diagnosis as a traumatic stressor moderated outcomes. RESULTS We found that, compared with the control group, receiving a peer‐counseling intervention significantly improved breast‐cancer–specific well‐being ( p =0.01, Cohen's d =0.41) and maintained marital adjustment ( p =0.01, Cohen's d =0.45) more effectively. Experiencing the diagnosis as a traumatic stressor moderated outcomes: those with a peer counselor in the traumatic stressor group improved significantly more than controls on well‐being, trauma and depression symptoms, and cancer self‐efficacy. CONCLUSIONS Having a peer counselor trained and supervised to recognize and work with trauma symptoms can improve well‐being and psychosocial morbidity during the first year following diagnosis of BC. Cancer 2016;122:2408–2417 . © 2016 American Cancer Society .