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Coping with chemotherapy for breast cancer
S L Manne1, M Sabbioni, D H Bovbjerg
1Department of Neurology, Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, New York.
Journal of Behavioral Medicine
|February 1, 1994
Summary
This study found that how women cope with chemotherapy affects their mood. Physical symptoms during cancer treatment were linked to negative emotions, not positive ones.
Area of Science:
- Psychology
- Oncology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer presents unique challenges.
- Understanding the interplay of coping, physical symptoms, and emotional well-being is crucial for patient care.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the relationships among coping strategies, physical symptoms, and affect in women undergoing breast cancer chemotherapy.
- To examine how specific coping mechanisms relate to positive and negative affect during treatment.
Main Methods:
- A study involving 43 women undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.
- Patients reported on coping specifically related to chemotherapy, with assessments of positive and negative affect.
- Physical symptoms were also evaluated to understand their impact on emotional states.
Main Results:
- Coping strategies showed differential correlations with positive and negative affect.
- Physical symptoms experienced during chemotherapy were significantly associated with negative affect.
- No significant association was found between physical symptoms and positive affect.
Conclusions:
- The findings highlight the importance of specific coping strategies in managing emotional well-being during chemotherapy.
- Physical symptoms are a significant factor contributing to negative emotional experiences in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment.
- Implications for both cancer coping literature and general coping theories are discussed.