How does a cancer education program impact on people with cancer and their family and friends?
BACKGROUND
In this article, we report on the effects of patient education for people with cancer in comparison to family and friends.


METHODS
Data are from 666 participants with cancer and 324 family and friends who completed preprogram and postprogram questionnaires.


RESULTS
Results show high levels of participant satisfaction and positive changes in measures such as illness perceptions and emotional functioning. In many cases, the pattern of change was different for people with cancer compared to family and friends.


CONCLUSIONS
This education program may be useful for helping people with cancer cope with the disease, with some distinct benefits for family and friends.
Centre of Behavioural Research in Cancer, Cancer Control Research Institute, The Cancer Council Victoria, Carlton, Australia.
Georgina
G
Sutherland
Louisa Hoey
LH
Dpsych
Victoria
V
White
Michael
M
Jefford
Suzanne
S
Hegarty
D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D004644:Emotions; D005190:Family / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D033062:Friends / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D017060:Patient Satisfaction; D016730:Program Development; D011788:Quality of Life; D012938:Social Perception; D012944:Social Support; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires