Extra support needed for breast cancer sufferers

18 November 2009

Professor Susan Davis

Breast cancer sufferers who are well-educated and live alone are likely to be hardest hit by their illness according to a new study by the Monash Medical School's Women's Health Program.

Lead researchers Professor Susan Davis and Associate Professor Robin Bell found that educated women were more likely to seek additional information about their condition, and their increased understanding about their illness could lead to higher anxiety levels.

"The experience of having breast cancer is a personal one and is often accompanied by very complex emotions due to the fact that it strikes at a woman's very sense of self, purpose and sexuality," Professor Davis said.

"Until now there has been very little research into the health and well-being of women with breast cancer and what impact the diagnosis had on their overall mood.

"We found that women who lived alone generally had more time to spend contemplating and researching their illness.

"Two years post-diagnosis, women with breast cancer were not more likely to be depressed but were more likely to experience a lowered sense of control over their life, and lower general health, with lessened vitality being limited to older women."

Professor Davis encouraged health-care providers to be sensitive to the fact that more highly-educated women may deal less well with psychological aspects of their disease than others.

"The study shows women need extra support during and post treatment and their condition needs to be treated with a holistic approach," Professor Davis said.

"Their mental and emotional wellbeing is paramount to a stronger recovery."

The study is following 1700 breast cancer survivors to determine the physical, psychosocial and socio-economic issues influencing the quality of life of women post breast cancer diagnosis.