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The role of social support in post-treatment surveillance among African American colorectal cancer survivors
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2014
Source: J Psychosoc Oncol. 32(3):245-263. -
Alternative Title:J Psychosoc Oncol
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Personal Author:
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Description:Objectives
African Americans are less likely than other groups to receive appropriate surveillance after colorectal cancer (CRC) treatment. The objective of this study is to qualitatively explore the role of social support in post-CRC treatment surveillance and ultimately, inform interventions to promote surveillance in African American CRC survivors.
Design
Interviews were conducted with 60 African American CRC survivors recruited from the Cancer Care Outcomes Research and Surveillance (CanCORS) study and the Alabama Statewide Cancer Registry. Interviews were recorded and transcribed. Transcripts were reviewed and coded independently by the authors. The NVivo software package was used to facilitate coding and data management.
Results
Survivors were from 4 to 6 years post diagnosis, 57% female, 60% older than 65 years, 57% from rural Alabama, 30% with stage 1, 32% with stage 2, and 38% with stage 3 disease. Material and emotional social support from family and one’s faith community were cited as playing an important role in coping with the disease and post-treatment surveillance. Survivors who reported being adherent with post-treatment surveillance recommendations (according to stage of disease based on self-report of colonoscopy, CT scans, and blood work) reported more religious material and non-material social support, and support from other CRC survivors.
Conclusion
In these African American CRC survivors, support from family, other cancer survivors, and the faith community was perceived as being important for adherence to post-treatment surveillance. Interventions to increase post-treatment surveillance in this population may be enhanced by including components that emphasize familial, other cancer survivor, and religious support.
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Pubmed ID:24611486
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Pubmed Central ID:PMC5568546
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