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Grant#: P30 CA22453-S1
PI: Crissman, John
Project Leader: Brown, Diane
Title: Breast Cancer Survivors & Community Support
The literature suggests that even after treatment is completed, cancer patients continue to experience challenges associated with the disease. These challenges range from physical symptoms, social and emotional issues to spiritual concerns. Knowledge is limited on the use of community support by African American breast cancer survivors. The few studies that have been conducted have mainly used convenience samples. The few studies of AA breast cancer survivors have focused primarily on quality of life issues, and have not examined the use of support from community-based resources. Accordingly, the purpose of the proposed exploratory pilot study is to examine the use of social support from community sources by breast cancer survivors. Differences will be examined by race to assess: 1) the needs and concerns of breast cancer survivors; 2) the receipt of community support for needs; and 3) the social-cultural factors that influence the use of community support. Data will be collected from a random sample of 150 African American and 150 Caucasian survivors from the Detroit Metropolitan SEER tumor registry. Women who were diagnosed with breast cancer in 1999 and who have completed their treatment will be asked to participate in a telephone interview. The results of the study will be disseminated to the clinical and professional staff at Karmanos Cancer Institute, to the members of the Michigan Cancer Consortium Initiative and to the faith-based community in Detroit. The project represents a collaboration between the Karmanos Cancer Institute and Greater Grace Temple of the Apostolic Faith.
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