Biomedical subjects

J A Broeckel

Publications and source records attributed to J A Broeckel.

4 recordsLinked to original sources

PubMed2000

Quality of life after adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: To evaluate the quality of life of breast cancer patients previously treated with adjuvant chemotherapy. METHOD: Registry data were used to recruit a sample of breast cancer patients (N = 61; mean age = 51.6 years) with no current evidence of disease who had completed adjuvant chemotherapy between 3 and 36 months earlier (average = 15.87 months). In addition, a peer nomination procedure was used to recruit an age-matched comparison group of women with no history of cancer (N = 59; mean age = 51.5 years). Both groups were mailed a survey to complete that included the Medical Outcomes Study Short Form 36 (SF-36) and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression Scale (CES-D). These data were used to test the hypothesis that breast cancer patients previously treated with adjuvant chemotherapy experience impaired quality of life relative to their peers and to identify demographic and medical factors associated with individual differences in patient quality of life. RESULTS: Consistent with predictions, the postchemotherapy group scored poorer than the noncancer comparison group on the CES-D and on six of the eight subscales as well as the physical component summary scale of the SF-36 (p < 0.05). With regard to individual differences in patient quality of life, younger age and unmarried status were positively related to poorer mental well-being and greater depressive symptomatology (p < 0.05). Time since cancer diagnosis and chemotherapy completion were also positively related to greater depressive symptomatology (p < 0.05). In contrast, none of the demographic or medical variables assessed were related to physical well-being (p > 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Breast cancer patients appear to experience problems in multiple quality of life domains following the completion of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Demographic and medical characteristics explain individual differences in mental but not physical aspects of patient quality of life. These findings demonstrate the need for interventions to improve the quality of life in breast cancer patients previously treated with adjuvant chemotherapy.

Adult↗

PubMed1998

Characteristics and correlates of fatigue after adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer.

PURPOSE: Clinical reports suggest that many breast cancer patients experience persistent fatigue as a long-term side effect of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. To investigate this issue further, we examined the characteristics and correlates of fatigue in women who had completed adjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer and in a comparison group of women with no history of cancer. PATIENTS AND METHODS: Participants were 61 women with breast cancer who had completed chemotherapy an average of 471 days previously and 59 women with no history of cancer. All participants completed standardized self-report measures of fatigue, sleep quality, menopausal symptoms, and coping and were administered a structured clinical interview to identify current and past psychiatric disorder. RESULTS: Compared with women with no history of cancer, former adjuvant chemotherapy patients reported more severe fatigue (P < .01) and worse quality of life because of fatigue (P < .05). More severe fatigue among patients was significantly (P < .05) related to poorer sleep quality, more menopausal symptoms, greater use of catastrophizing as a coping strategy, and current presence of a psychiatric disorder. CONCLUSION: These findings support the view that many breast cancer patients experienced heightened fatigue after completion of adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Results yield a profile of women who are at increased risk for heightened fatigue after chemotherapy and suggest ways to intervene clinically to prevent or reduce fatigue in this patient population.

Adaptation, Psychological↗

PubMed1997

Statistical methods in personality assessment research.

Emerging models of personality structure and advances in the measurement of personality and psychopathology suggest that research in personality and personality assessment has entered a stage of advanced development, in this article we examine whether researchers in these areas have taken advantage of new and evolving statistical procedures. We conducted a review of articles published in the Journal of Personality, Assessment during the past 5 years. Of the 449 articles that included some form of data analysis, 12.7% used only descriptive statistics, most employed only univariate statistics, and fewer than 10% used multivariate methods of data analysis. We discuss the cost of using limited statistical methods, the possible reasons for the apparent reluctance to employ advanced statistical procedures, and potential solutions to this technical shortcoming.

Journal Article↗

PubMedDate not supplied

Sexual functioning in breast cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: A growing body of evidence suggests that sexual dysfunction may be among the more common and distressing symptoms experienced by breast cancer survivors. METHODS: This report reviews studies in which sexual functioning in breast cancer survivors has been investigated. Included are reports on the prevalence and nature of sexual difficulties, the relationship between specific breast cancer treatments and sexual difficulties, and the treatment of sexual dysfunction following completion of breast cancer treatment. RESULTS: A review of the literature suggests a wide range of rates for the prevalence of sexual problems in breast cancer survivors. Factors that may affect prevalence rates include the methods used to determine prevalence and the demographic and medical characteristics of the patients studied. With regard to treatment effects, evidence suggests that breast cancer patients who undergo chemotherapy are at high risk for sexual dysfunction after treatment. In contrast, there is little evidence of a link between type of surgical treatment (eg, lumpectomy vs mastectomy) or treatment with tamoxifen and sexual functioning outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: A growing body of evidence suggests that sexual problems can be a long-term side effect of breast cancer treatment. Oncology professionals should initiate communication about sexual difficulties, perform comprehensive assessments, and educate and counsel patients about the management of these difficulties.

Antineoplastic Agents↗