Phase One of an F31 Predoctoral NINR Fellowship Examining Physical and Psychological Distress, and Quality of Life Among Younger Breast Cancer Survivors

Paterson, Carly Lynn

Saturday, 16 November 2013

Carly Lynn Paterson, MSN, RN
Cecile A. Lengacher, RN, PhD, FAAN
College of Nursing, University of South Florida, Tampa, FL

Learning Objective 1: The learner will be able to describe the components of a Phase 1 approach to dissertation research.

Learning Objective 2: The learner will be able to identify how dissertation research can be integrated into an ongoing R01 study.

Background: A cancer diagnosis, as well as the subsequent treatment for this disease, can be exceptionally distressing to survivors of breast cancer. The specific symptoms of distress that have been identified as correlating with cancer are both physical and psychological. Most individuals will experience some kind of anxiety, fear and depression when cancer becomes a part of their lives. For this pre-doctoral NRSA, evidence will be obtained to determine the levels of psychological and physical distress in younger women with breast cancer in transition off treatment.

Methods: The Phase 1 aim will be evaluated through secondary analysis of data collected in the R01CA131080 study "MBSR Symptom Cluster Trial for Breast Cancer Survivors." With this aim, the researcher plans to examine the manner in which younger women (ages 21-54) compare to women 55 and older in terms of baseline physical and psychological characteristics (including depression, anxiety, fear of recurrence, psychological and physical distress, and quality of life after treatment for breast cancer.

Results: The outcome measures are all continuous variables and analysis of covariance (ANCOVA) will be used to compare adjusted levels of baseline outcome variables between the two age groups. Data resulting from this Pre-doctoral NRSA will provide additional information and insight into baseline levels of psychological and physical distress in younger women with breast cancer in transition after treatment

Conclusions: The F31 NRSA research design builds upon the resources and strengths of the parent study with the intent to provide a better understanding of depression, anxiety, fear of recurrence, psychological and physical distress, and quality of life in younger breast cancer survivors.

Implications: It is anticipated that the findings of this study will provide further development or adaptation of specific interventions appropriate for improved symptom management, support, and education for this population.

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