Living with advanced breast cancer in women resilient
to distress versus women with persistent distress: a qualitative study
WWT Lam1, R Fielding1, SW
Yoon1, J Tsang3, I Soong3
1 School of Public Health, The
University of Hong Kong
2 Department of Medicine, The
University of Hong Kong
3 Department of Clinical Oncology,
Pamela Youde Nethersole Eastern Hospital
1. Cognitive bias in information, thought
suppression, social constraints, and pre-existing exposure to life stress
were potential risk factors for chronic distress in response to advanced
breast cancer.
2. Patients with advanced breast cancer should be assessed for recent exposure to life crises, quality of available family support, and pre-existing emotional problems. Timely referral for relevant supportive services should be implemented.
3. Patient support groups should be introduced to patients in the early phase of breast cancer.
4. Response style and cancer-related rumination should be assessed in women with breast cancer. Early referral to manage maladaptive rumination should be implemented to prevent chronic distress.
2. Patients with advanced breast cancer should be assessed for recent exposure to life crises, quality of available family support, and pre-existing emotional problems. Timely referral for relevant supportive services should be implemented.
3. Patient support groups should be introduced to patients in the early phase of breast cancer.
4. Response style and cancer-related rumination should be assessed in women with breast cancer. Early referral to manage maladaptive rumination should be implemented to prevent chronic distress.