The Perception of Impact of Social Support on Breast Cancer Patients as they go Through Treatments in Owerri Imo State, Nigeria

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TABLE OF CONTENTS

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION1

Introduction of Study1

Social support and breast cancer patients5

Categories of Social Support9

Psychosocial Factors and Breast Cancer Self Protective Behaviors12

Self-efficacy12

Health locus of control13

Problem statement13

Statement of Purpose14

Objectives of the Research14

FOLLOWING ARE THE OBJECTIVES OF THIS RESEARCH STUDY14

Research Questions14

Definitions15

Social support15

Quality of life15

Adjuvant therapy15

Radiation therapy16

Chemotherapy16

Hormone therapy16

Surgery16

Conceptual Framework17

Assumptions18

Limitations18

Scope19

Delimitations of the Study19

Summary19

CHAPTER 2: LITERATURE REVIEW20

Introduction20

The Biology of Breast Cancer20

Breast Cancer: Fears and Consequences20

Social Support23

Survivors and QOL24

Treatment of Breast Cancer25

Surgical Treatment for Breast Cancer26

Breast-conserving surgeries26

Mastectomies26

Post-mastectomy pain syndrome27

Adjuvant Therapies for Breast Cancer27

Radiation28

Chemotherapy28

Hormone therapy29

Cancer Survivorship30

Quality of Life31

Extant Knowledge on QOL Outcomes32

REFERENCES34

CHAPTER 1: INTRODUCTION

Introduction of Study

Cancer, as defined as a group of diseases characterized by uncontrolled growth and spread of abnormal cells (Browne and Cudeck, 1992). In fact, “cancer” is a term to describe over 100 different types of uncontrolled cell growths. Generally, cancer is thought to be caused by both internal and external factors (Ahmed et al. 2009). Internal factors are hormonal variations, immune system weakness, and genetic mutations. External factors include relatively high exposure to radiation, chemicals, and viruses (Colbert et al. 2009). It is most likely that a combination of both internal and external factors contribute to the development of cancer (Clemons and Goss, 2001). Breast cancer is also thought to be caused by a combination of internal and external factors. Risk factors associated with the disease include age, family history of breast cancer, early menarche, and late menopause, no children or late first birth, long time use of oral contraceptives, and higher education levels. With an increased emphasis on early screening--including breast self-exams and mammographies breast cancer may be diagnosed at an early stage, which increases survival rates. The current survival rate is about 50% (Bhatti et al.2010).

Historically, the first description of breast cancer was identified in ancient Egypt. At that time, all disease was thought to be due to an imbalance of the body's humors, which include blood, phlegm, black bile, and white bile. Breast cancer was considered to be the result of a coagulum of black bile in the breast (Baschnagel et al. 2009). As a result, treatment for breast cancer was aimed at the elimination of bile residing in the breast. Fortunately, treatment for breast cancer has advanced considerably since the days of early Egypt. Current breast cancer treatments fall into two categories: Local and systemic. Local treatments, in which only the breast and surrounding tissues are treated, involve surgery and radiation. Local treatments for breast cancer are most effective when the cancer is confined to the breast (Farlow et al. 2009). Systemic treatments include chemotherapy and hormonal therapy. Although not always the case, systemic treatments are recommended when the cancer has been found in the axillary lymph nodes or metastasized to other parts of the body. Often, both local and systemic treatments are utilized when the cancer becomes invasive or has metastasized (Colditz, 1993). Considerations for determining treatment choices include the stage of disease, the overall health of the ...