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13 May 2008
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Some women show personal growth when coping with breast cancer
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MedWire News: Young, married breast cancer survivors are more likely to show post-traumatic growth, including enhanced life appreciation, following diagnosis than their elderly, unmarried peers, a study has found.
The researchers say clinicians should be aware of the potential for positive change in their patients and use this as a "foundation for further therapeutic work."
There has been extensive investigation into the negative psychological, physical, and social consequences of cancer, note Kyriaki Mystakidou (Areteion Hospital School of Medicine, Greece) and colleagues in the journal The Breast.
However, there are data concerning more positive aspects of adjustment following a malignant disease. One study found that 83% of women diagnosed with breast cancer perceived at least one benefit from their experience.
"Many cancer survivors attribute positive outcomes or personal benefits to the cancer experience, including enhanced life appreciation, improved relationships with others, and positive changes in self-concept," says the team.
Mystakidou and colleagues recruited 100 women who had been diagnosed with advance stage IV breast cancer an average of 6.1 years previously.
The Post-traumatic Growth Inventory (PTGI) was used to investigate potential positive aspects of the disease experience. The PTGI consists of 21 items covering five main factors namely, relating to others (7 items); new possibilities (5 items); personal strength (4 items); spiritual change (2 items); and appreciation of life (3 items).
Responses range from 0 (''I did not experience this change as a result of my crisis'') to 5 (''I experienced this change to a very great degree as a result of my crisis'').
Women had an average total PTGI score of 43.76 out of a possible 0-105. Women aged 60 years or younger had an average total PTGI score of 48.05 - significantly higher than the average score of 37.33 for patients older than 60 years. Married women also had a higher score than unmarried women at 46.32 versus 36.46.
Multiple regression analysis showed that patients who suffered depression (as shown on the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale) showed significantly less growth on the PTGI "new possibilities" subscale than those who did not report depression.
The fact that women with an advanced form of breast cancer can derive positive outcomes from their experience is significant, say Mystakidou et al who speculate that "the end of life offers opportunities for personal growth and the deepening of relationships."
Breast 2008; Advance online publication
http://www.thebreastonline.com/
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