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Triggers of uncertainty about recurrence and long-term treatment side effects in older African American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors.

Publication ,  Journal Article
Gill, KM; Mishel, M; Belyea, M; Germino, B; Germino, LS; Porter, L; LaNey, IC; Stewart, J
Published in: Oncol Nurs Forum
May 2004

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To examine the sources of uncertainty in older African American and Caucasian long-term breast cancer survivors by focusing on frequency of triggers of uncertainty about cancer recurrence and physical symptoms linked to long-term treatment side effects. DESIGN: In the context of a larger randomized, controlled treatment-outcome study, data were gathered from 10 monthly follow-up telephone calls by nurses. SETTING: Rural and urban regions of North Carolina. SAMPLE: 244 older women (mean age = 64 years); 73 African American women and 171 Caucasian women who were five to nine years after breast cancer diagnosis. FINDINGS: The most frequent triggers were hearing about someone else's cancer and new aches and pains. The most frequent symptoms were fatigue, joint stiffness, and pain. Although no ethnic differences occurred in the experience of symptoms, Caucasian women were more likely than African American women to report that their fears of recurrence were triggered by hearing about someone else's cancer, environmental triggers, and information or controversy about breast cancer discussed in the media. CONCLUSIONS: Illness uncertainty persisted long after cancer diagnosis and treatment, with most women experiencing multiple triggers of uncertainty about recurrence and a range of symptoms and treatment side effects. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses can help cancer survivors to identify, monitor, and manage illness uncertainty and emotional distress.

Duke Scholars

Published In

Oncol Nurs Forum

DOI

EISSN

1538-0688

Publication Date

May 2004

Volume

31

Issue

3

Start / End Page

633 / 639

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • White People
  • Uncertainty
  • Survivors
  • Social Support
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Prevalence
  • Pain
  • Nursing
  • North Carolina
 

Citation

APA
Chicago
ICMJE
MLA
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Gill, K. M., Mishel, M., Belyea, M., Germino, B., Germino, L. S., Porter, L., … Stewart, J. (2004). Triggers of uncertainty about recurrence and long-term treatment side effects in older African American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum, 31(3), 633–639. https://doi.org/10.1188/04.onf.633-639
Gill, Karen M., Merle Mishel, Michael Belyea, Barbara Germino, Laura S. Germino, Laura Porter, Iris Carlton LaNey, and Janet Stewart. “Triggers of uncertainty about recurrence and long-term treatment side effects in older African American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors.Oncol Nurs Forum 31, no. 3 (May 2004): 633–39. https://doi.org/10.1188/04.onf.633-639.
Gill KM, Mishel M, Belyea M, Germino B, Germino LS, Porter L, et al. Triggers of uncertainty about recurrence and long-term treatment side effects in older African American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004 May;31(3):633–9.
Gill, Karen M., et al. “Triggers of uncertainty about recurrence and long-term treatment side effects in older African American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors.Oncol Nurs Forum, vol. 31, no. 3, May 2004, pp. 633–39. Pubmed, doi:10.1188/04.onf.633-639.
Gill KM, Mishel M, Belyea M, Germino B, Germino LS, Porter L, LaNey IC, Stewart J. Triggers of uncertainty about recurrence and long-term treatment side effects in older African American and Caucasian breast cancer survivors. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2004 May;31(3):633–639.

Published In

Oncol Nurs Forum

DOI

EISSN

1538-0688

Publication Date

May 2004

Volume

31

Issue

3

Start / End Page

633 / 639

Location

United States

Related Subject Headings

  • White People
  • Uncertainty
  • Survivors
  • Social Support
  • Retrospective Studies
  • Relaxation Therapy
  • Prevalence
  • Pain
  • Nursing
  • North Carolina