The stressors and vulnerabilities of young single childless women with breast cancer: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
Marital or partnership status is seldom investigated as a primary contributing factor to women's wellbeing after a diagnosis of breast cancer. It has been suggested, however, that single childless women with breast cancer may face unique stressors. This paper explores the stressors and vulnerabilities of young single childless women with a first episode of breast cancer.


METHODS
A qualitative descriptive method was used. As part of a larger study examining fertility concerns of young childless women with first episode of breast cancer, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted with 10 single women. Recorded interviews were analysed using the framework approach.


RESULTS
Findings cover three main themes: partnership worries; fertility concerns; and views about emotional and practical support received. Partnership worries included concerns about having to undergo treatment without a partner to support them; the fear of rejection by potential partners; and feelings about the precious time lost in diagnosis and treatment. Fertility concerns included dilemmas about having children and feelings about the options of pursuing Assisted Reproductive Techniques. Views about the emotional and practical support received included the overall support received as well as perceptions about the attitudes of health professionals towards fertility issues.


CONCLUSIONS
Findings indicate that single childless women with breast cancer face additional vulnerabilities and may benefit from tailored support from health care professionals and interventions specifically targeted at them.
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Health, University of Greenwich, Bronte Hall, Southwood Campus, Avery Hill Road, London SE9 2UG, UK.
Roslyn
R
Corney
Department of Clinical Education and Leadership & Institute for Health Research, University of Bedfordshire, Putteridge Bury - Rm. 32, Hitchin Road, Luton, Bedfordshire LU2 8LE, UK. Electronic address: shuby.puthussery@beds.ac.uk.
Shuby
S
Puthussery
Department of Psychology, Faculty of Education and Health, University of Greenwich, Bronte Hall, Southwood Campus, Avery Hill Road, London SE9 2UG, UK.
Jane
J
Swinglehurst
D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D017668:Age of Onset; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000523:psychology*; D005260:Female; D005298:Fertility / Q000502:physiology*; D006801:Humans; D007398:Interpersonal Relations; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D036301:Qualitative Research; D011788:Quality of Life; D043762:Reproductive Behavior / Q000523:psychology; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012847:Single Person / Q000523:psychology; D013315:Stress, Psychological; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D035862:Vulnerable Populations
Breast cancer; Childless women; Fertility; Single women; Stressors; Vulnerabilities