Decision Making and Wellbeing Among Women with Breast Cancer and Children at Home

Abstract

The purpose of the study was to (a) describe decision-making, coping strategies, and wellbeing of women undergoing breast cancer treatment who have children at home; and (b) compare and contrast the treatment decisions, coping strategies and wellbeing of women with breast cancer who have children under 18 years old with those who do not have children under 18 years old at home. Secondary data analysis of transcribed interviews was performed using content and matrix analysis to determine decision making processes and coping strategies and a de-identified database, containing demographic data and scores from the FACT-B, was analyzed as indicators of perceived wellbeing. Findings indicate that children seem to have an influence on treatment decisions, coping and wellbeing. Women with children at home more often chose bilateral mastectomies and used more mind-body based complementary and alternative medicine. Also, in the social and family subscale score women with children have higher wellbeing. Finally, all women used all types of coping strategies with highest use of emotionbased coping and women citing children as an influencing factor. Further research is necessary to determine the extent of their impact. Ultimately, when caring or studying women with breast cancer, children must be considered a potential factor that modifies cancer treatment decisions.