Skip to main content
Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer 1/2016

01.01.2016 | Original Article

Addressing psychosocial needs of partners of breast cancer patients: a pilot program using social workers to improve communication and psychosocial support

verfasst von: Rondi Kauffmann, Courtney Bitz, Karen Clark, Matthew Loscalzo, Laura Kruper, Courtney Vito

Erschienen in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Ausgabe 1/2016

Einloggen, um Zugang zu erhalten

Abstract

Introduction

Psychosocial (PsySoc) distress in caregivers is a well-described entity, with some caregivers experiencing more distress than patients themselves. The American College of Surgeons’ Commission on Cancer mandates that psychosocial services be provided to all cancer patients and their caregivers, through the entire continuum of cancer care.

Methods

We developed a program for newly diagnosed breast cancer patients and their partners. Both were screened for biopsychosocial stressors. The couple was then paired with two clinican-educators trained in communication and gender differences, who educated the couple in communication-based problem solving and provided referrals to supportive services.

Results

Eighty-six patients and 82 partners returned surveys. Compared to partners, patients were more likely to report feeling anxious or fearful (59 vs. 38 %, p = 0.014), report difficulty in managing their emotions (46 vs. 11 %, p = 0.003), and experience distress over being unable to take care of themselves (37 vs. 6 %, p = 0.000). Interestingly, there was no difference between patients and partners in feeling unsupported by their partner (6 vs. 5 %, p = 0.85) or in feeling down or depressed (29 vs. 30 %, p = 0.96).

Discussion

Both patients and partners experience significant distress after a breast cancer diagnosis. We found that partners are equally likely to feel unsupported by their partner (patient) and feel down or depressed. Further study is needed to learn about both patients’ and partners’ significant distress over lack of support. Partner-focused PsySoc interventions should be initiated in all cancer centers to address the emotional needs of both breast cancer patients and their partners.
Literatur
2.
Zurück zum Zitat Galway K, Black A, Cantwell M, Cardwell CR, Mills M, Donnelly M (2012) Psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life and emotional well-being for recently diagnosed cancer patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 11:CD007064PubMed Galway K, Black A, Cantwell M, Cardwell CR, Mills M, Donnelly M (2012) Psychosocial interventions to improve quality of life and emotional well-being for recently diagnosed cancer patients. Cochrane Database Syst Rev 11:CD007064PubMed
3.
Zurück zum Zitat Hammonds LS (2012) Implementing a distress screening instrument in a university breast cancer clinic, a quality improvement project. Clin J Oncol Nurs 16(5):491–494CrossRefPubMed Hammonds LS (2012) Implementing a distress screening instrument in a university breast cancer clinic, a quality improvement project. Clin J Oncol Nurs 16(5):491–494CrossRefPubMed
4.
Zurück zum Zitat Duggleby W, Bally J, Cooper D, Doell H, Thomas R (2012) Engaging hope: the experiences of male spouses of women with breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum 39(4):400–406CrossRefPubMed Duggleby W, Bally J, Cooper D, Doell H, Thomas R (2012) Engaging hope: the experiences of male spouses of women with breast cancer. Oncol Nurs Forum 39(4):400–406CrossRefPubMed
5.
Zurück zum Zitat Fitch M, Allard M (2007) Perspectives of husbands of women with breast cancer: impact and response. Can Oncol Nurs J 17(2):66–71CrossRefPubMed Fitch M, Allard M (2007) Perspectives of husbands of women with breast cancer: impact and response. Can Oncol Nurs J 17(2):66–71CrossRefPubMed
6.
Zurück zum Zitat Russell R (2008) Their story, my story: health of older men as caregivers. Generations 32:62–67 Russell R (2008) Their story, my story: health of older men as caregivers. Generations 32:62–67
7.
Zurück zum Zitat Wagner CD, Bigatti SM, Storniolo AM (2006) Quality of life of husbands of women with breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology 15:109–120CrossRefPubMed Wagner CD, Bigatti SM, Storniolo AM (2006) Quality of life of husbands of women with breast cancer. Psycho-Oncology 15:109–120CrossRefPubMed
8.
Zurück zum Zitat Kramer BJ, Thompson EH. Men as caregivers: theory, research, and service implications. New York: Springer Kramer BJ, Thompson EH. Men as caregivers: theory, research, and service implications. New York: Springer
9.
Zurück zum Zitat Turner D, Adams E, Boulton M, Harrison S, Khan N, Rose P, Ward A, Watson EK (2013) Partners and close family members of long-term cancer survivors: health status, psychosocial well-being and unmet supportive care needs. Psychooncology 22(1):12–19CrossRefPubMed Turner D, Adams E, Boulton M, Harrison S, Khan N, Rose P, Ward A, Watson EK (2013) Partners and close family members of long-term cancer survivors: health status, psychosocial well-being and unmet supportive care needs. Psychooncology 22(1):12–19CrossRefPubMed
10.
Zurück zum Zitat Foy S, Rose K (2001) Men’s experiences of their partner’s primary and recurrent breast cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs 5:42–48CrossRefPubMed Foy S, Rose K (2001) Men’s experiences of their partner’s primary and recurrent breast cancer. Eur J Oncol Nurs 5:42–48CrossRefPubMed
11.
Zurück zum Zitat Bonnaud-Antignac A, Hardouin JB, Leger J, Dravet F, Sebille V (2012) Quality of life and coping of women treated for breast cancer and their caregiver. What are the interactions? J Clin Psychol Med Settings 19(3):320–328CrossRefPubMed Bonnaud-Antignac A, Hardouin JB, Leger J, Dravet F, Sebille V (2012) Quality of life and coping of women treated for breast cancer and their caregiver. What are the interactions? J Clin Psychol Med Settings 19(3):320–328CrossRefPubMed
12.
Zurück zum Zitat Kraemer LM, Stanton AL, Meyerowitz BE, Rowland JH, Ganz PA (2011) A longitudinal examination of couples’ coping strategies as predictors of adjustment to breast cancer. J Fam Psychol 25(6):963–972PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed Kraemer LM, Stanton AL, Meyerowitz BE, Rowland JH, Ganz PA (2011) A longitudinal examination of couples’ coping strategies as predictors of adjustment to breast cancer. J Fam Psychol 25(6):963–972PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
13.
Zurück zum Zitat Chung C, Hwang E (2012) Couples’ experiences of breast cancer in Korea, a descriptive qualitative study. Cancer Nurs 35(3):211–220CrossRefPubMed Chung C, Hwang E (2012) Couples’ experiences of breast cancer in Korea, a descriptive qualitative study. Cancer Nurs 35(3):211–220CrossRefPubMed
14.
Zurück zum Zitat Kim S, Ko YH, Jun EY (2012) The impact of breast cancer on mother-child relationships in Korea. Psychooncology 21(6):640–646CrossRefPubMed Kim S, Ko YH, Jun EY (2012) The impact of breast cancer on mother-child relationships in Korea. Psychooncology 21(6):640–646CrossRefPubMed
15.
Zurück zum Zitat Zahlis EH, Lewis FM (2010) Coming to grips with breast cancer, the spouse’s experience with his wife’s first six months. J Psychosoc Oncol 28(1):79–97PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed Zahlis EH, Lewis FM (2010) Coming to grips with breast cancer, the spouse’s experience with his wife’s first six months. J Psychosoc Oncol 28(1):79–97PubMedCentralCrossRefPubMed
16.
19.
Zurück zum Zitat Bitz C, Clark K, Vito C, Kruper L, Ituarte PHG, Loscalzo M (2015) Partners’ clinic: an innovative gender strengths-based intervention for breast cancer patients and their partners immediately prior to initiating care with their treating physician. Psycho-Oncology 24(3):355–358 Bitz C, Clark K, Vito C, Kruper L, Ituarte PHG, Loscalzo M (2015) Partners’ clinic: an innovative gender strengths-based intervention for breast cancer patients and their partners immediately prior to initiating care with their treating physician. Psycho-Oncology 24(3):355–358
20.
Zurück zum Zitat Loscalzo M, Clark K, Dillehunt J, Rinehart R, Strowbridge R, Smith D (2010) SupportScreen: a model for improving patient outcomes. JNCCN 8(4):496–504 Loscalzo M, Clark K, Dillehunt J, Rinehart R, Strowbridge R, Smith D (2010) SupportScreen: a model for improving patient outcomes. JNCCN 8(4):496–504
21.
Zurück zum Zitat Pauwels E, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Charlier C, Lechner L, Van Hoof E (2012) Psychosocial characteristics associated with breast cancer survivors’ intimate partners’ needs for information and support after primary breast cancer treatment. J Psychosoc Oncol 30:1–2CrossRefPubMed Pauwels E, De Bourdeaudhuij I, Charlier C, Lechner L, Van Hoof E (2012) Psychosocial characteristics associated with breast cancer survivors’ intimate partners’ needs for information and support after primary breast cancer treatment. J Psychosoc Oncol 30:1–2CrossRefPubMed
22.
Zurück zum Zitat Sprung BR, Janotha BL, Steckel AJ (2011) The lived experience of breast cancer patients and couple distress. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 23(11):619–627CrossRefPubMed Sprung BR, Janotha BL, Steckel AJ (2011) The lived experience of breast cancer patients and couple distress. J Am Acad Nurse Pract 23(11):619–627CrossRefPubMed
23.
Zurück zum Zitat Bigatti SM, Brown LF, Steiner JL, Miller KD (2011) Breast cancer in a wife, how husbands cope and how well it works. Cancer Nurs 34(3):193–201CrossRefPubMed Bigatti SM, Brown LF, Steiner JL, Miller KD (2011) Breast cancer in a wife, how husbands cope and how well it works. Cancer Nurs 34(3):193–201CrossRefPubMed
24.
Zurück zum Zitat Schmid-Buchi S, Halfens RJ, Dassen T, van den Borne B (2011) Psychosocial problems and needs of post-treatment patients with breast cancer and their relatives. Eur J Oncol Nurs 15(3):260–266CrossRefPubMed Schmid-Buchi S, Halfens RJ, Dassen T, van den Borne B (2011) Psychosocial problems and needs of post-treatment patients with breast cancer and their relatives. Eur J Oncol Nurs 15(3):260–266CrossRefPubMed
25.
Zurück zum Zitat Hasson-Ohayon I, Goldzweig G, Braun M, Galinsky D (2010) Women with advanced breast cancer and their spouses: diversity of support and psychological distress. Psychooncology 19(11):1195–1204CrossRefPubMed Hasson-Ohayon I, Goldzweig G, Braun M, Galinsky D (2010) Women with advanced breast cancer and their spouses: diversity of support and psychological distress. Psychooncology 19(11):1195–1204CrossRefPubMed
26.
Zurück zum Zitat Aizer AA, Chen MH, McCarthy EP, Mendu ML, Koo S, Wilhite TJ,Nguyen PL (2013) Marital status and survival in patients with cancer. J Clin Oncol 31(31):386938–76. Aizer AA, Chen MH, McCarthy EP, Mendu ML, Koo S, Wilhite TJ,Nguyen PL (2013) Marital status and survival in patients with cancer. J Clin Oncol 31(31):386938–76.
Metadaten
Titel
Addressing psychosocial needs of partners of breast cancer patients: a pilot program using social workers to improve communication and psychosocial support
verfasst von
Rondi Kauffmann
Courtney Bitz
Karen Clark
Matthew Loscalzo
Laura Kruper
Courtney Vito
Publikationsdatum
01.01.2016
Verlag
Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Erschienen in
Supportive Care in Cancer / Ausgabe 1/2016
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Elektronische ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-015-2721-x

Weitere Artikel der Ausgabe 1/2016

Supportive Care in Cancer 1/2016 Zur Ausgabe

Update Onkologie

Bestellen Sie unseren Fach-Newsletter und bleiben Sie gut informiert.