Cancer-specific Distress and Coping as Predictors of Early Detection Behaviors in Women at Familial Risk for Breast Cancer
Year: 2008
Type: article
Study design: Observational Study
Abstract: Curative treatment for breast cancer has been highly successful when cancerous cells are detected in their earliest stages. Utilization of breast cancer early detection behaviors is crucial for all women, but these behaviors are especially relevant for women at familial risk for the disease. This study aimed to identify factors associated with utilization of early detection behaviors in a community sample of women at familial risk for breast cancer (n =116). Death of the relative was significantly linked with increased reports of cancer-specific distress regarding breast cancer risk, but it was not associated with increased use of early detection behaviors. Taking care of an ill relative and being an adolescent when the relative was diagnosed were not associated with either reporting cancer-specific distress or using early detection behaviors. Cancer-specific distress was not found to be a significant predictor of early detection behaviors. Problem-focused coping was positively associated with use of early detection behaviors whereas emotion-focused coping was negatively linked with use of early detection behaviors. These results suggest that coping interventions may be appropriate in order to encourage the use of early detection behaviors among women at familial risk for breast cancer. Future directions and limitations to the present study are discussed.
Author: Julie Catherine Michael
Language: English
Field: Medicine
Domain: Health Sciences
Open Access status: green
OpenAlex ID: W429107551