Psychosocial and family-centered support among breast cancer patients with dependent children

Objective To evaluate the psychosocial situation of breast cancer (BC) patients with dependent children, with regard to who used family-centered psychosocial support (PS) services, reasons against using it, as well as existing, unmet needs, and current PS need. Methods Data were collected via survey and patient files during an inpatient rehabilitation program for mothers with BC, who were accompanied by a child Out of the total of 561 patients, 23.0% had used family-centered PS services before. Common reasons against it were enough support, no anticipated need and organizational issues. Patients stated a high number of unmet needs. The most urgent ones related to their children. About 59.3% of mothers stated a current PS need (PSN) and 33.3% a need for their children. Little social support and a worse maternal HRQOL, but not time since diagnosis, were related to a higher PSN in mothers and children (bivariate association). Conclusion Among BC patients with dependent children, clinicians need to take the whole family and their support needs into account. They should know about the existing organizational barriers, which need to be overcome with the help of tailored offers. Patients with low HRQOL, little social support and single-mothers (with regard to children's PSN) need special attention as these can be indicators of high PSN.

Automated summary

The study evaluated the use and needs of family-centered psychosocial support services among breast cancer patients with dependent children. It found that many patients had unmet needs, particularly related to their children, and that patients with low HRQOL, little social support, and single-mothers may have higher psychosocial needs.