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A contextual approach to understanding breast cancer survivorship among Latinas
Author(s) -
LopezClass Maria,
GomezDuarte Jessika,
Graves Kristi,
AshingGiwa Kimlin
Publication year - 2012
Publication title -
psycho‐oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.41
H-Index - 137
eISSN - 1099-1611
pISSN - 1057-9249
DOI - 10.1002/pon.1998
Subject(s) - survivorship curve , breast cancer , cancer survivorship , oncology , medicine , cancer
Objectives The purpose of this review is to describe the empirical literature on the health‐related quality of life (HRQOL) in Latina breast cancer survivors by exploring the social determinants of health. In framing the key domains of survivors' quality of life within a ecological‐contextual model that evaluates individual and societal contributions to health outcomes, we provide a comprehensive landscape of the diverse factors constituting Latina survivors' lived experiences and their resultant quality of life outcomes. Methods We retrieved 244 studies via search engines and reference lists, of which 37 studies met the inclusion criteria. Results Findings document the importance of the social determinants of HRQOL, with studies documenting ecological and contextual factors accounting for significant variance in HRQOL outcomes. Our review identifies a dearth of research examining community‐, institutional‐, and policy‐level factors, such as health care access, legal and immigration factors, physical and built environments, and health care affordability and policies affecting Latina breast cancer survivors' HRQOL. Conclusions Overall research on Latina breast cancer survivorship is sparse, with even greater underrepresentation within longitudinal and intervention studies. Results highlight a need for clear documentation of the comprehensive care needs of underserved cancer survivors and interventions considering integrated systems of care to address the medical and ecological factors known to impact the HRQOL of breast cancer survivors. Copyright © 2011 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.