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Stage II breast cancer: differences between four coping patterns in side effects during adjuvant chemotherapy
D E Shapiro1, S R Boggs, J R Rodrigue
1Department of Psychiatry, University of Arizona College of Medicine, Tucson 85724, USA. shapiro@aruba.ccit.arizona.edu
Journal of Psychosomatic Research
|August 1, 1997
Summary
Women undergoing chemotherapy for breast cancer found that confrontive coping strategies significantly reduced physical and psychological side effects. Discussing and thinking about illness is key to managing treatment side effects.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psychology
- Health Psychology
Background:
- Adjuvant chemotherapy for stage II breast cancer presents significant physical and psychological side effects.
- Patient coping mechanisms can influence the experience and severity of treatment-related side effects.
Purpose of the Study:
- To evaluate and compare coping patterns in women with stage II breast cancer undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy.
- To determine if different coping strategies predict variations in physical and psychological side effects during treatment.
Main Methods:
- Fifty-six women with stage II breast cancer were recruited.
- Cluster analysis identified four coping clusters: confrontive, avoidant-confrontive, avoidant-resigned, and resigned.
- Side effects were measured on the day of infusion and 3 and 7 days post-infusion using repeated measures ANCOVAs.
Main Results:
- Coping clusters significantly predicted physical, psychological, and total side effects.
- Confrontive copers reported fewer psychological and physical symptoms compared to avoidant-confrontive and avoidant-resigned groups.
- While confrontive copers reported fewer side effects than resigned copers, this difference was not statistically significant after controlling for covariates.
Conclusions:
- A confrontive coping style, characterized by a willingness to discuss and think about illness, is associated with better management of physical and psychological side effects during adjuvant chemotherapy.
- These findings highlight the importance of psychological support and open communication in mitigating treatment burdens for breast cancer patients.