The experience of providing support about menopausal symptoms to women with breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
The purpose of this study was to describe the experiences and expectations of both women with breast cancer and the health professionals who care for them, in relation to the management of menopausal symptoms.


METHODS
A qualitative, exploratory study using a combination of focus groups and in depth individual interviews was carried out to collect data from women with breast cancer (14) and Health Professionals (15).


RESULTS
A number of categories arose including breast cancer experience, menopausal symptoms, seeking support, taking control; with a number of contributory factors.


CONCLUSIONS
The findings illustrated the complexity of supporting women experiencing menopausal symptoms following their breast cancer diagnosis. They also captured the difficulty women have in isolating these symptoms from their experiences of breast cancer and associated management from diagnosis and beyond. The results indicate that health professionals are working and reacting to individual requests for support in isolation of the team. There is a need to assess and manage women both individually and within a multidisciplinary context. This would allow complex issues that span across the pre, peri, or post-menopausal stages, to be identified and resolved effectively.
School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Care, Edinburgh Napier University, Sighthill Campus, Sighthill Court, Edinburgh EH11 4BN, United Kingdom. Electronic address: s.cruickshank@napier.ac.uk.
Susanne
S
Cruickshank
Breast Unit, Western General Hospital, Crewe Road, Edinburgh, United Kingdom. Electronic address: a.hume@luht.scot.nhs.uk.
Alison
A
Hume
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D001291:Attitude of Health Personnel; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000451:nursing* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008593:Menopause / Q000502:physiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D008594:Menopause, Premature / Q000502:physiology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D018570:Risk Assessment; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D012944:Social Support; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D006113:United Kingdom
Breast cancer; Menopause; Survival; Symptoms