- Email: [email protected]
PO75 Connecting young women: face to face support networks
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Advocacy and Nursing / The Breast 23S1 (2014) S24–S30
lymphedema than younger patients. Primary prevention plan was ignored by 78% of patients with lymphedema and by 15% of patients without this complication of treatment. Conclusions: The results indicate a low risk perception, absence of knowledge about lymphedema and primary prevention plan ignoring among younger breast cancer patients as a main cause of this complication. Young persons with breast cancer must be informed about risk of lymphedema before cancer treatment and educational strategies need to be focus on primary prevention plan immediately after surgery with lymph nodes removal. PO75 Connecting young women: face to face support networks M. McCann1 , J. Rowe2 , M. Esser1 , J. Merschdorf1 , S. Lewis1 . 1 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, New York, NY, USA, 2 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, Tucker, GA, USA Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women (YW) and breast cancer (BC). It is YSC’s goal to ensure that no YW goes through BC alone. YW diagnosed with BC have a strong desire to connect in person with other young survivors. YSC has received frequent requests from young survivors to bring YSC to their local community. Initially, YSC formed affiliates in communities with a strong local survivor presence. These affiliates, at one time numbering 30, provided support and outreach in their community and raised funds to support their operations. The oversight needed of these affiliates, as well as the volunteer fundraising burden, made affiliate sustainability difficult. YW in areas without a local affiliate continued to contact YSC and inquire about starting one. Methods: Beginning in 2010, YSC undertook an internal study of its affiliate structure with a frank assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. YSC conducted a needs assessment and researched other organizations’ affiliate, regional, and grassroots structures. Results: Based on this research and analysis, YSC launched its Face to Face (F2F) Networking program on April 1, 2013. This program allows a young survivor, located anywhere in the US, to start her own F2F network to connect young survivors in her community. The young survivor submits an application to YSC via its website, and once approved as a F2F Leader, receives a starter kit of materials and resources. The kit includes instructions for listing the network on Meet-up.com, a service paid for by YSC. Any YW diagnosed with BC seeking connection can search Meet-up to find a group or start her own. In a year, 84 F2F groups have been created across the country. Feedback from F2F participants to date has been positive. Constituents are empowered to have a means to connect with other YW in-person in their community. Conclusions: YSC’s F2F Networking program is a viable and innovative method of connecting YW affected by BC, providing support and structure without the operational and fundraising demands of running a full-fledged affiliate. In just a year, YSC has almost tripled its local presence, bringing connections and support to more YW. PO76 Breast cancer and cultural practices N. Menang1 , E. Ngwa2 . 1 CALMEF Health Centre, Department of Oncology, Tiko, Cameroon, 2 CALMEEF Health Centre, Department of Administration, Tiko, Cameroon Background: Certain cultural practices in developing countries on young women are so devastating. A case study of breast ironing with hot objects among others like genital mutilation, education deprivation and more expose the young women to severe physical, psychological and mental trauma as seen in certain ethnic groups of Cameroon.
Methodology: Assessing risks on young women from cultural practices with more attention on breast cancer information and treatments focusing on breast cancers in young women (November 15, 2013 to May 2014). Designed questionnaire, interview, discussion with community leaders and both young and old women. Results: The goal of the study is understanding if breast cancer knowledge is available, if it is welcomed and if there are any hurdles. The survey revealed that, some ethnic groups of Centre, North West, South, North practice breasts ironing for young women especially girls at puberty by heating the tools like stones on fire and ironing the breasts to prevent early development. In the stated groups, the trend is similar: about 7:10 girls had breasts ironed, about 3:7 attends school, 2:8 has at least heard of cancer and about 5:5 of the young women believe that breast cancer is real and can be treated in the hospital while the other 5:5 thinks tradi-practitioners are best options on treatment. 2:8 of the parents are uneducated. Conclusions: Though no local studies has been conducted to understand if breasts ironing precipitate breasts cancer in young women, no accurate figures exist for cancers in Cameroon including breast cancer in young women for reasons that many turn but to tradi-practitioner for cure though often with poor prognosis, the tradi-practitioners keep no records, neither do they have concrete explanations on mechanism of actions of their therapies. This calls for more research and support in order to save both breasts of young women in indigenous communities and their lives. PO77 Evaluation of young breast-cancer sufferers’ survival: novel initiative by Indian cancer NGO S. Pramod. Health Alert Organization of India (NGO), Department of Community Medicine, Dhule, India Background: Breast-cancer sufferers’ survival is poorly understood. Social stigma, illiteracy, poor drug access adversely affect it. Young patients with breast cancer have aggressive disease and poor prognosis compared to older patients. We examined this hypothesis in a large cohort. Methods: Retrospective analysis of breast-cancer patients from 2004 to 2013. Young women 5 year median survival in surgical+chemo group was 56% against 28% in Chemo-only-group. Young-age group was more prepared psychologically to face life-after-breast-cancerdiagnosis than old-age-group [72% vs 28%]. Family/community support was more forthcoming for Young-age-group [4 psychosocial support centers in urban areas but none in rural/tribal areas] 82%. Depression was greater in young-age-group compared to old-age-group. Conclusion: Overall outcome was better in young-patients. Since our analysis contradicted the old hypothesis that treatment outcomes are worse in younger-age group, we suggest, WHO/ESO conduct such study on a larger-population. We show our study model at ESO-2014-BCY2 conference venue. PO78 Diagnosis of breast cancer in young couples: strategies in facing terminal illness S. Pramod. Health Alert Organization of India (NGO), Department of Community Medicine, Dhule, India Aim: Qualitative study to explore impact-of-diagnosis of breastcancer on young-couples’ sexuality and to understand how patients and spouses dealt with it. Methods: Our Indian Cancer NGO conducted interviews with 41 couples using Social-cultural–educational–economic criteria. Information on quality of sexual, family and interpersonal life before and after diagnosis were noted on questionnaire, opinions on counselling, family support, peer-support groups were evaluated;
Advocacy and Nursing / The Breast 23S1 (2014) S24–S30
lymphedema than younger patients. Primary prevention plan was ignored by 78% of patients with lymphedema and by 15% of patients without this complication of treatment. Conclusions: The results indicate a low risk perception, absence of knowledge about lymphedema and primary prevention plan ignoring among younger breast cancer patients as a main cause of this complication. Young persons with breast cancer must be informed about risk of lymphedema before cancer treatment and educational strategies need to be focus on primary prevention plan immediately after surgery with lymph nodes removal. PO75 Connecting young women: face to face support networks M. McCann1 , J. Rowe2 , M. Esser1 , J. Merschdorf1 , S. Lewis1 . 1 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, New York, NY, USA, 2 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, Tucker, GA, USA Young Survival Coalition (YSC) is the premier global organization dedicated to the critical issues unique to young women (YW) and breast cancer (BC). It is YSC’s goal to ensure that no YW goes through BC alone. YW diagnosed with BC have a strong desire to connect in person with other young survivors. YSC has received frequent requests from young survivors to bring YSC to their local community. Initially, YSC formed affiliates in communities with a strong local survivor presence. These affiliates, at one time numbering 30, provided support and outreach in their community and raised funds to support their operations. The oversight needed of these affiliates, as well as the volunteer fundraising burden, made affiliate sustainability difficult. YW in areas without a local affiliate continued to contact YSC and inquire about starting one. Methods: Beginning in 2010, YSC undertook an internal study of its affiliate structure with a frank assessment of its strengths and weaknesses. YSC conducted a needs assessment and researched other organizations’ affiliate, regional, and grassroots structures. Results: Based on this research and analysis, YSC launched its Face to Face (F2F) Networking program on April 1, 2013. This program allows a young survivor, located anywhere in the US, to start her own F2F network to connect young survivors in her community. The young survivor submits an application to YSC via its website, and once approved as a F2F Leader, receives a starter kit of materials and resources. The kit includes instructions for listing the network on Meet-up.com, a service paid for by YSC. Any YW diagnosed with BC seeking connection can search Meet-up to find a group or start her own. In a year, 84 F2F groups have been created across the country. Feedback from F2F participants to date has been positive. Constituents are empowered to have a means to connect with other YW in-person in their community. Conclusions: YSC’s F2F Networking program is a viable and innovative method of connecting YW affected by BC, providing support and structure without the operational and fundraising demands of running a full-fledged affiliate. In just a year, YSC has almost tripled its local presence, bringing connections and support to more YW. PO76 Breast cancer and cultural practices N. Menang1 , E. Ngwa2 . 1 CALMEF Health Centre, Department of Oncology, Tiko, Cameroon, 2 CALMEEF Health Centre, Department of Administration, Tiko, Cameroon Background: Certain cultural practices in developing countries on young women are so devastating. A case study of breast ironing with hot objects among others like genital mutilation, education deprivation and more expose the young women to severe physical, psychological and mental trauma as seen in certain ethnic groups of Cameroon.
Methodology: Assessing risks on young women from cultural practices with more attention on breast cancer information and treatments focusing on breast cancers in young women (November 15, 2013 to May 2014). Designed questionnaire, interview, discussion with community leaders and both young and old women. Results: The goal of the study is understanding if breast cancer knowledge is available, if it is welcomed and if there are any hurdles. The survey revealed that, some ethnic groups of Centre, North West, South, North practice breasts ironing for young women especially girls at puberty by heating the tools like stones on fire and ironing the breasts to prevent early development. In the stated groups, the trend is similar: about 7:10 girls had breasts ironed, about 3:7 attends school, 2:8 has at least heard of cancer and about 5:5 of the young women believe that breast cancer is real and can be treated in the hospital while the other 5:5 thinks tradi-practitioners are best options on treatment. 2:8 of the parents are uneducated. Conclusions: Though no local studies has been conducted to understand if breasts ironing precipitate breasts cancer in young women, no accurate figures exist for cancers in Cameroon including breast cancer in young women for reasons that many turn but to tradi-practitioner for cure though often with poor prognosis, the tradi-practitioners keep no records, neither do they have concrete explanations on mechanism of actions of their therapies. This calls for more research and support in order to save both breasts of young women in indigenous communities and their lives. PO77 Evaluation of young breast-cancer sufferers’ survival: novel initiative by Indian cancer NGO S. Pramod. Health Alert Organization of India (NGO), Department of Community Medicine, Dhule, India Background: Breast-cancer sufferers’ survival is poorly understood. Social stigma, illiteracy, poor drug access adversely affect it. Young patients with breast cancer have aggressive disease and poor prognosis compared to older patients. We examined this hypothesis in a large cohort. Methods: Retrospective analysis of breast-cancer patients from 2004 to 2013. Young women 5 year median survival in surgical+chemo group was 56% against 28% in Chemo-only-group. Young-age group was more prepared psychologically to face life-after-breast-cancerdiagnosis than old-age-group [72% vs 28%]. Family/community support was more forthcoming for Young-age-group [4 psychosocial support centers in urban areas but none in rural/tribal areas] 82%. Depression was greater in young-age-group compared to old-age-group. Conclusion: Overall outcome was better in young-patients. Since our analysis contradicted the old hypothesis that treatment outcomes are worse in younger-age group, we suggest, WHO/ESO conduct such study on a larger-population. We show our study model at ESO-2014-BCY2 conference venue. PO78 Diagnosis of breast cancer in young couples: strategies in facing terminal illness S. Pramod. Health Alert Organization of India (NGO), Department of Community Medicine, Dhule, India Aim: Qualitative study to explore impact-of-diagnosis of breastcancer on young-couples’ sexuality and to understand how patients and spouses dealt with it. Methods: Our Indian Cancer NGO conducted interviews with 41 couples using Social-cultural–educational–economic criteria. Information on quality of sexual, family and interpersonal life before and after diagnosis were noted on questionnaire, opinions on counselling, family support, peer-support groups were evaluated;