Partners of young breast cancer survivors: A cross-sectional evaluation of psychosocial issues and mental health.

Authors

null

Nancy Borstelmann

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA

Nancy Borstelmann , Shoshana M. Rosenberg , Shari I. Gelber , Meghan E Meyer , Kathryn Jean Ruddy , Lidia Schapira , Steven E. Come , Virginia F. Borges , Tamara Cadet , Peter Maramaldi , Ann H. Partridge

Organizations

Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, Stanford Cancer Center, Palo Alto, CA, Beth Israel Deaconess Medical Center, Boston, MA, University of Colorado Cancer Center, Aurora, CO, Simmons College School of Social Work, Boston, MA

Research Funding

Other Foundation

Background: While evidence of the challenges of cancer caregiving has been growing, scant research addresses the experience of partners of young adults with cancer. These individuals and their relationships may be particularly vulnerable to stress, especially when managing the complexity of cancer care and survivorship with their partner. We sought to evaluate psychosocial concerns and mental health in the partners of young survivors of early stage breast cancer (BC). Methods: We invited partners of young women w/BC diagnosed at age ≤ 40 yrs enrolled in a prospective cohort study to participate in a one-time survey evaluating psychosocial concerns including quality of life, coping, social support, financial insecurity, partnership concerns, parenting concerns, anxiety and depression. Logistic regression was used to explore predictors of anxiety (score > 8 on Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)). Results: Most respondents (284/289) were male, with median age 43 yrs (range 27-65). The median time of survey completion was 62 months (range 16 -114) after their partner’s dx. Respondents were mostly white (93%), working full time (94%), and college educated (78%); 29% reported some financial stress, 74% were parenting children < 18 yrs, and 32% reported at least a fair amount of relationship concern. 42% (106/250) had anxiety (39/289 respondents (13%) had incomplete/missing HADS). In univariable analyses, lower education, working full time, parenting concerns, insufficient social support and maladaptive coping were associated (p < .05) with anxiety. In the multivariable model, only maladaptive coping remained significantly associated with anxiety (p < .01, OR = 2.32 (95% CI: 1.22, 4.39)). Conclusions: Partners of young BC survivors who used less constructive/more maladaptive coping strategies experience negative mental health outcomes after tx has ended. Caregivers’ anxiety may have implications for both their own and survivors’ health and QOL. Future interventions might focus on the development of constructive coping strategies to enhance adjustment and role effectiveness in dealing with the impact of cancer.

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Abstract Details

Meeting

2017 Cancer Survivorship Symposium

Session Type

Poster Session

Session Title

Poster Session B: Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbidities, Psychosocial Issues, and Recurrence and Secondary Malignancies

Track

Late- and Long-term Effects/Comorbidities,Psychosocial Issues,Recurrence and Secondary Malignancies

Sub Track

Addressing the Emotional Needs of Families and Caregivers

Citation

J Clin Oncol 35, 2017 (suppl 5S; abstr 184)

DOI

10.1200/JCO.2017.35.5_suppl.184

Abstract #

184

Poster Bd #

F11

Abstract Disclosures

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