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A qualitative exploration of race‐based differences in social support needs of diverse women with breast cancer on adjuvant therapy
Author(s) -
Paladino Andrew J.,
Anderson Janeane N.,
Graff J. Carolyn,
Krukowski Rebecca A.,
Blue Ryan,
Jones Tameka N.,
Buzaglo Joanne,
Kocak Mehmet,
Vidal Gregory A.,
Graetz Ilana
Publication year - 2019
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.4979
Subject(s) - breast cancer , social support , thematic analysis , focus group , medicine , experiential learning , qualitative research , support group , quality of life (healthcare) , psychology , cancer , oncology , gerontology , psychotherapist , nursing , psychiatry , sociology , social science , mathematics education , anthropology
Objective Social support is a critical component of breast cancer care and is associated with clinical and quality of life outcomes. Significant health disparities exist between Black and White women with breast cancer. Our study used qualitative methods to explore the social support needs of Black and White women with hormone receptor‐positive breast cancer on adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET). Methods We conducted four focus group (FG) interviews (N = 28), stratified by race (ie, Black and White) and time on AET. FGs were audiotaped, transcribed, and analyzed according to conventions of thematic analysis. Results Participants noted the importance of having their informational and emotional social support needs met by friends and family members. White participants reported support provided by others with breast cancer was crucial; Black women did not discuss other survivors as part of their networks. Notably, both White and Black participants used the FG environment to provide experiential social support to each other. Conclusions White participants noted that having other breast cancer survivors in their support network was essential for meeting their social support needs. However, Black participants did not reference other breast cancer survivors as part of their networks. Cancer centers should consider reviewing patients' access to experiential support and facilitate opportunities to connect women in the adjuvant phase.