Corroboration of Growth Following Breast Cancer: Ten Years Later

Disease-free breast cancer survivors (n = 180) were interviewed 10 years after diagnosis. They were asked questions about the lasting effects of cancer. The vast majority identified positive effects. The validity of growth reports was investigated by: (1) comparing survivors' to significant others' responses and (2) comparing survivors' reports to their standing on relevant dimensions. Results revealed little corroboration by significant others but some corroboration by relevant dimensions. There was greater corroboration for the costs than the benefits of breast cancer. Survivors reported more benefits than significant others. There was little evidence that corroboration was greater when the significant other was a spouse compared to someone else. Research should continue to explore the validity and meaning of growth reports.