Older breast cancer survivors' symptom beliefs.
OBJECTIVE
To use Leventhal's Common Sense Model (CSM) to describe older breast cancer survivors' symptom representations, symptom management strategies, and perceived barriers to symptom management.


METHODS
A secondary analysis was conducted using data from three pilot studies that tested a theory-based intervention to improve symptom management in older breast cancer survivors.


METHODS
Advanced practice nurses conducted open-ended interviews with older breast cancer survivors either in their homes or via telephone.


METHODS
Participants were recruited from the community, an oncology clinic, and a state tumor registry. The women (N = 61, X age = 69.5) were an average of 4.7 years after breast cancer diagnosis and reported an average of 17 symptoms.


METHODS
Content analysis was conducted with field notes taken during baseline interviews.


METHODS
Symptom representations, symptom management strategies, and perceived barriers to symptom management.


RESULTS
Women described their symptoms as chronic, incurable, and uncontrollable, with multiple causes (usually not aging) and numerous negative consequences. Women described an average of six symptom management strategies, most typically self-care. The most frequent barrier to symptom management was communicating with healthcare providers.


CONCLUSIONS
The CSM is a useful framework for understanding the symptom beliefs of older breast cancer survivors.


CONCLUSIONS
Addressing women's beliefs and barriers may result in better communication with healthcare providers and more effective interventions for symptom management.
Royer
Heather Rhea
HR
School of Nursing, University of Wisconsin-Madison, WI, USA. hroyer@wisc.edu
Phelan
Cynthia H
CH
Heidrich
Susan M
SM
D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D006304:Health Status; D006801:Humans; D009720:Nurse Clinicians; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*