title: Symptom communication in breast cancer: relationships of holding back and self-efficacy for communication to symptoms and adjustment.
abstract: Adjuvant endocrine therapy improves overall survival for women with breast cancer. However, side effects may compromise patients' quality of life (QOL). This study examined how two communication variables (self-efficacy for symptom communication [SE] and holding back from discussing cancer-related concerns [HB]) relate to QOL, pain and menopausal symptoms. Participants with breast cancer (N = 61) completed questionnaires regarding symptoms, communication, and QOL. SE was positively related to QOL and negatively related to pain interference. HB from discussing cancer-related concerns was related negatively to QOL and positively to pain interference. HB mediated the relationship between SE and QOL as well as between SE and pain interference. Increased SE is beneficial among women on endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Future research should determine if interventions to improve SE are feasible and can improve QOL and symptom tolerability.
authors.affiliation: a Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences , Duke University , Durham , NC , USA.
authors.forename: Sara N
authors.initials: SN
authors.lastname: Edmond
authors.forename: Rebecca A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Shelby
authors.forename: Gretchen G
authors.initials: GG
authors.lastname: Kimmick
authors.forename: Paul K
authors.initials: PK
authors.lastname: Marcom
authors.forename: Jeffrey M
authors.initials: JM
authors.lastname: Peppercorn
authors.forename: Francis J
authors.initials: FJ
authors.lastname: Keefe
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000368:Aged; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000009:adverse effects; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology*; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D003142:Communication; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008593:Menopause / Q000187:drug effects; D008875:Middle Aged; D059352:Musculoskeletal Pain / Q000139:chemically induced; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011446:Prospective Studies; D011788:Quality of Life / Q000523:psychology; D020377:Self Efficacy; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects
chemical_list: D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors; D013629:Tamoxifen