Investigating the impact of change in follow-up for women with breast cancer

Project Duration

2006 - 2009

Funder

Cancer Research UK

Aims

Investigating the impact of change in follow-up for women with breast cancer.

Methods

Interviews and questionnaires.

Outcomes and Findings

This study investigates the experiences of women with breast cancer who are discharged from long term follow-up. Taking a longitudinal and mixed methods approach the study collected data at three time points over a 24 month period using previously validated questionnaires (EORTC QLQ C30, the Breast Module, HADs, COPE Inventory) and in-depth interviews. 100 women took part in the study of whom 20 participated in interviews. Women reported a range of approaches to coping with change, quality of life was rated relatively highly overall and anxiety and depression levels were on the whole in the normal ranges and these did not appear to alter over time. Views in relation to how women made sense of their discharge from long term follow-up were closely related to beliefs about breast cancer. The study suggests a range of ways that follow-up and support for long term survivors of breast cancer might be more appropriately delivered.