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Social networks and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors: A prospective study
Journal article   Peer reviewed

Social networks and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors: A prospective study

Yvonne L Michael, Lisa F Berkman, Graham A Colditz, Michelle D Holmes and Ichiro Kawachi
Journal of psychosomatic research, v 52(5), pp 285-293
2002
PMID: 12023125

Abstract

Health-related quality of life Social networks Breast cancer SF-36
Purpose: To examine prospectively the influence of social networks on health-related quality of life (HRQoL) among breast cancer survivors. Methods: Social networks and HRQoL were assessed among women free of breast cancer in the Nurses' Health Study (NHS). Women who developed breast cancer over a 4-year follow-up ( n=708) completed detailed questions related to treatment together with an assessment of general and cancer-specific HRQoL. Results: On average, socially isolated women were more adversely affected by breast cancer—their role function was lower by 14 points, vitality lower by 7 points, and physical function lower by 6 points compared to the most socially integrated women. Conclusion: Prediagnosis level of social integration is an important factor in future HRQoL among breast cancer survivors, and appears to explain more of the variance in HRQoL than treatment or tumor characteristics. Rehabilitation programs should incorporate interventions that address the availability of adequate social support among breast cancer survivors.

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Collaboration types
Domestic collaboration
Web of Science research areas
Psychiatry
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