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PO82 Surveying young women with metastatic breast cancer (YWMBC) to create interventions with impact
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Advocacy and Nursing / The Breast 23S1 (2014) S24–S30
PO82 Surveying young women with metastatic breast cancer (YWMBC) to create interventions with impact J. Rowe1 , M. Esser2 , M. McCann2 , S. Lewis2 , J. Merschdorf2 . 1 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, Tucker, GA, USA, 2 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, New York, NY, USA The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) Research Think Tank assembled teams of doctors, researchers, and advocates to focus on topics of importance to its young constituents, including metastasis. One of the top research priorities announced by the metastasis workgroup was “How can we better meet the psychosocial needs of YWMBC and their families?” YSC decided this priority warranted immediate action. Methods: YSC reviewed other surveys of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Only a few focused on young women. While these surveys examined the problems of women living with MBC, few, if any, assessed what interventions could address their psychosocial needs specifically. YSC crafted a comprehensive survey that incorporated the topics and issues identified in previous surveys to probe further and learn the root of the problems and how to address them. Inclusion criteria: Any stage of breast cancer before age 41, with an initial or later diagnosis of MBC. Results: Launched in September, 2013, 470 participants met the inclusion criteria. 360 completed the survey in full. The results provided in-depth information about the needs, concerns and struggles of this patient population, as well as interventions they believed would be helpful. Three common themes emerged. First: on-line tools with information that is easy-to-find, clear, and current are of paramount importance. Second: the value of finding other YWMBC cannot be overstated. 91% said it was important to connect with other YWMBC, although complaints about difficulty in finding in-person support and women under 30 were noted. Third: respondents acknowledged the importance of the medical oncologist in treating the whole patient, as they rely on this doctor for a broad range of information and support. Conclusion: YWMBC are an understudied population with limited to no research focusing on what interventions could improve their quality of life. PO83 Introducing a tailor-made care pathway specific to young women diagnosed and receiving treatment for breast cancer E. Vella1 , M. Cassar2 . 1 Mater Dei Hospital, Department of Breast Care Clinic, Msida, Malta, 2 University of Malta, Department of Faculty of Health Science (Nursing), Msida, Malta When nurses are knowledgeable about their patients’ experience of illness they are able to care for them more efficiently and effectively. In view of this a hermeneutic phenomenological research study was carried out, to better understand the lived experience of young women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. This approach provided the opportunity to ‘borrow’ young women’s experiences and reflections to gain a deeper meaning of their experience throughout their breast cancer trajectory. The qualitative research method adopted for this study drew upon the philosophical constructs of Hans-Georg Gadamer which encouraged the use of ‘conversational interviews’. The researcher’s own preunderstandings of the focus under study, underpinned all the stages of the study. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, have age-related needs and concerns which are different from those of older women with the same disease. However, due to the higher incidence of breast cancer amongst older women, to-date, breast cancer services seem to be more focused on older patients, with less
specific focus given to the younger patients that is to those under the age of fifty. An extensive literature review revealed a dearth in research related to the overall experiences of young women with breast cancer. After obtaining authorisation and ethics clearance from the University of Malta and the respective Data Protection entities, data collection was carried out through one-to-one, in-depth interviews across six Maltese young women aged less than forty-five, who had been diagnosed and treated for primary breast cancer. All the participants had undergone surgery and received chemotherapy as part of their treatment regime; they had all completed treatment in the last eighteen months. The findings of this study indicate that a cancer diagnosis is perceived as a very challenging, life-threatening, untimely disease which effects women, physically and psychologically. The disease also effects their family, particularly their husbands/ partners and their children, who are, in turn, their source of strength and support. The data clearly highlights the fact that the illness took a particular toll on husbands. Husbands experienced an exchange of roles with their respective wives; house chores and childcare were added to one’s main job, which had to be maintained. It is interesting to note that alongside the gratitude which participants expressed towards their husbands, the participants also referred to concerns pertaining to the lack of support which they think that their husbands experienced. This study has provided new knowledge with regards to the care of young women with breast cancer and may lend itself toward the enhanced care delivery to this unique age group by all member of the multidisciplinary team involved in patients’ care organisation and provision. However, it is of particular relevance to breast care nurses due to their unique role in care provision to breast cancer patients. This research study equips the breast care nurses with specific knowledge about their patients’ specific experience of illness, putting them in advantageous position to assist young women navigate their breast cancer journey successfully. This paper discusses the participants’ accounts of • The meaning of being diagnosed with cancer at a younger age • The physical and psychological effects of breast cancer and its treatment on the participant and her family and friends • How they handled the breast cancer. The results of this study suggest that the development of a specific clinical care pathway, tailored for this specific younger patient group, would significantly address the challenges experienced by these patients along their respective breast cancer journey. The experience of younger patients is different to that of older patients, and the pathway of care needs to accommodate this difference in an attempt to enhance the experience of young breast cancer patients. PR84 Hippocrates and breast cancer L. Kourkouta1 , A. Rarra2 , P. Plati3 , G. Fradelou4 . 1 Alexander Technological Educational Institution (ATEI) of Thessaloniki, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece, 2 Ministry of Education, Department of 9th Primary School of Athens, Athens, Greece, 3 University of Ioannina, Department of History and Archaeology, Ioannina, Greece, 4 University of Thessalia, Department of History and Archaeology, Bolos, Greece Introduction: Cancer in general and specifically breast cancer was known as a disease from the ancient doctors who tried to face it with the means of that time. Aim: This historical study provides the knowledge of Hippocrates regarding the breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The material of the study is consisted of articles related to the subject that were found mainly in the Medline electronic database, the Hellenic Academic Libraries Link
Advocacy and Nursing / The Breast 23S1 (2014) S24–S30
PO82 Surveying young women with metastatic breast cancer (YWMBC) to create interventions with impact J. Rowe1 , M. Esser2 , M. McCann2 , S. Lewis2 , J. Merschdorf2 . 1 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, Tucker, GA, USA, 2 Young Survival Coalition, Department of Programs, New York, NY, USA The Young Survival Coalition (YSC) Research Think Tank assembled teams of doctors, researchers, and advocates to focus on topics of importance to its young constituents, including metastasis. One of the top research priorities announced by the metastasis workgroup was “How can we better meet the psychosocial needs of YWMBC and their families?” YSC decided this priority warranted immediate action. Methods: YSC reviewed other surveys of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC). Only a few focused on young women. While these surveys examined the problems of women living with MBC, few, if any, assessed what interventions could address their psychosocial needs specifically. YSC crafted a comprehensive survey that incorporated the topics and issues identified in previous surveys to probe further and learn the root of the problems and how to address them. Inclusion criteria: Any stage of breast cancer before age 41, with an initial or later diagnosis of MBC. Results: Launched in September, 2013, 470 participants met the inclusion criteria. 360 completed the survey in full. The results provided in-depth information about the needs, concerns and struggles of this patient population, as well as interventions they believed would be helpful. Three common themes emerged. First: on-line tools with information that is easy-to-find, clear, and current are of paramount importance. Second: the value of finding other YWMBC cannot be overstated. 91% said it was important to connect with other YWMBC, although complaints about difficulty in finding in-person support and women under 30 were noted. Third: respondents acknowledged the importance of the medical oncologist in treating the whole patient, as they rely on this doctor for a broad range of information and support. Conclusion: YWMBC are an understudied population with limited to no research focusing on what interventions could improve their quality of life. PO83 Introducing a tailor-made care pathway specific to young women diagnosed and receiving treatment for breast cancer E. Vella1 , M. Cassar2 . 1 Mater Dei Hospital, Department of Breast Care Clinic, Msida, Malta, 2 University of Malta, Department of Faculty of Health Science (Nursing), Msida, Malta When nurses are knowledgeable about their patients’ experience of illness they are able to care for them more efficiently and effectively. In view of this a hermeneutic phenomenological research study was carried out, to better understand the lived experience of young women diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. This approach provided the opportunity to ‘borrow’ young women’s experiences and reflections to gain a deeper meaning of their experience throughout their breast cancer trajectory. The qualitative research method adopted for this study drew upon the philosophical constructs of Hans-Georg Gadamer which encouraged the use of ‘conversational interviews’. The researcher’s own preunderstandings of the focus under study, underpinned all the stages of the study. Women who are diagnosed with breast cancer at a younger age, have age-related needs and concerns which are different from those of older women with the same disease. However, due to the higher incidence of breast cancer amongst older women, to-date, breast cancer services seem to be more focused on older patients, with less
specific focus given to the younger patients that is to those under the age of fifty. An extensive literature review revealed a dearth in research related to the overall experiences of young women with breast cancer. After obtaining authorisation and ethics clearance from the University of Malta and the respective Data Protection entities, data collection was carried out through one-to-one, in-depth interviews across six Maltese young women aged less than forty-five, who had been diagnosed and treated for primary breast cancer. All the participants had undergone surgery and received chemotherapy as part of their treatment regime; they had all completed treatment in the last eighteen months. The findings of this study indicate that a cancer diagnosis is perceived as a very challenging, life-threatening, untimely disease which effects women, physically and psychologically. The disease also effects their family, particularly their husbands/ partners and their children, who are, in turn, their source of strength and support. The data clearly highlights the fact that the illness took a particular toll on husbands. Husbands experienced an exchange of roles with their respective wives; house chores and childcare were added to one’s main job, which had to be maintained. It is interesting to note that alongside the gratitude which participants expressed towards their husbands, the participants also referred to concerns pertaining to the lack of support which they think that their husbands experienced. This study has provided new knowledge with regards to the care of young women with breast cancer and may lend itself toward the enhanced care delivery to this unique age group by all member of the multidisciplinary team involved in patients’ care organisation and provision. However, it is of particular relevance to breast care nurses due to their unique role in care provision to breast cancer patients. This research study equips the breast care nurses with specific knowledge about their patients’ specific experience of illness, putting them in advantageous position to assist young women navigate their breast cancer journey successfully. This paper discusses the participants’ accounts of • The meaning of being diagnosed with cancer at a younger age • The physical and psychological effects of breast cancer and its treatment on the participant and her family and friends • How they handled the breast cancer. The results of this study suggest that the development of a specific clinical care pathway, tailored for this specific younger patient group, would significantly address the challenges experienced by these patients along their respective breast cancer journey. The experience of younger patients is different to that of older patients, and the pathway of care needs to accommodate this difference in an attempt to enhance the experience of young breast cancer patients. PR84 Hippocrates and breast cancer L. Kourkouta1 , A. Rarra2 , P. Plati3 , G. Fradelou4 . 1 Alexander Technological Educational Institution (ATEI) of Thessaloniki, Department of Nursing, Athens, Greece, 2 Ministry of Education, Department of 9th Primary School of Athens, Athens, Greece, 3 University of Ioannina, Department of History and Archaeology, Ioannina, Greece, 4 University of Thessalia, Department of History and Archaeology, Bolos, Greece Introduction: Cancer in general and specifically breast cancer was known as a disease from the ancient doctors who tried to face it with the means of that time. Aim: This historical study provides the knowledge of Hippocrates regarding the breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The material of the study is consisted of articles related to the subject that were found mainly in the Medline electronic database, the Hellenic Academic Libraries Link