Moving forward – developing resources for women with breast cancer at the end of hospital based treatment

Fenlon, D; Reed, L; Blows, E; Wray, J; Dewey, A

Abstract

When women inish hospital-based treatment for breast cancer and become a breast cancer survivor, they experience a distinct 're-entry' point in their lives. For many this is a time of crisis (Allen, 2009). While breast cancer patients have a range of information resources available to them at diagnosis and through treatment, there is a gap in information and support available once treatment has inished (Vivar, 2005). In addition, high levels of distress in the post-treatment phase have been found to lead to poorer long-term adjustment (Cimprich, 2005. Allen, 2009). Women's lives and self identity can be permanently altered as a result of their breast cancer diagnosis (McCann, 2010). Women have reported feeling abandoned and isolated (Smyth) during the shift from frequent interactions with healthcare professionals and a focus on hospital-based treatment to moving forward with their lives after treatment.

In July 2009 Breast Cancer Care commissioned market research with women affected by breast cancer to examine their services portfolio. A key recommendation was a need for a 'life after breast cancer' resource that could
be disseminated to all women at the end of their hospital-based treatment.

Citation

Fenlon, D., Reed, L., Blows, E., Wray, J., & Dewey, A. (2010, September). Moving forward – developing resources for women with breast cancer at the end of hospital based treatment. Poster presented at Cancer Care Congress, Manchester

• Presentation Conference Type: Poster
• Conference Name: Cancer Care Congress
• Conference Location: Manchester
• Start Date: Sep 15, 2010
• End Date: Sep 16, 2010
• Publication Date: Jan 1, 2010
• Deposit Date: Oct 4, 2010
• Publicly Available Date: Jun 7, 2017
• Additional Information: Corporate Creators : Breast Cancer Care; Event Type : Conference