Psychosocial intervention for rural women with breast cancer: The Sierra-Stanford Partnership.
OBJECTIVE
This study was initiated by breast cancer survivors living in a rural community in California. They formed a partnership with academic researchers to develop and evaluate a low-cost, community-based Workbook-Journal (WBJ) for improving psychosocial functioning in geographically and economically isolated women with primary breast cancer.


METHODS
A randomized controlled trial was used to compare the WBJ intervention plus educational materials to educational materials alone (usual care).


METHODS
One rural cancer center and several private medical, surgical, and radiation oncology practices in 7 rural counties in the Sierra Nevada Foothills of California.


METHODS
One hundred women with primary breast cancer who were either within 3 months of diagnosis or within 3 months of completing treatment.


METHODS
A community-initiated, theoretically-based Workbook-Journal, designed by rural breast cancer survivors and providers as a support group alternative. It included compelling personal stories, local rural resources, coping strategies, and messages of hope.


RESULTS
Community recruiters enrolled 83% of the women referred to the study. Retention at 3-month follow-up was 98%. There were no main effects for the WBJ. However, 3 significant interactions suggested that women who were treated in rural practices reported decreased fighting spirit and increased emotional venting and posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms if they did not receive the WBJ. Among women who receive the WBJ, 74% felt emotionally supported.


CONCLUSIONS
This community-based Workbook-Journal may be an effective psychosocial intervention for rural, isolated, and low-income women with breast cancer. Community involvement was essential to the success of this project.
Angell
Karyn L
KL
Oregon Research Institute and the Department of Counseling Psychology, College of Education, University of Oregon, 1715 Franklin Blvd., Eugene, OR 97403, USA. kangell@ori.org
Kreshka
Mary Anne
MA
McCoy
Rebecca
R
Donnelly
Patricia
P
Turner-Cobb
Julie M
JM
Graddy
Kathy
K
Kraemer
Helena C
HC
Koopman
Cheryl
C
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D002285:Carcinoma, Intraductal, Noninfiltrating / Q000523:psychology*; D018672:Community Health Planning / Q000458:organization & administration*; D003256:Community Participation; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D010174:Pamphlets; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D010865:Pilot Projects; D019035:Rural Health Services / Q000458:organization & administration*; D012944:Social Support; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000517:prevention & control; D017741:Survivors