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Home > jLPHA > Vol. 4 (2024) > No. 2 (2024)

 

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Journal of the Louisiana Public Health Association

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer overall and the most frequently diagnosed cancer among women in Louisiana. From 2016-2020, female breast cancer accounted for 13.9% of all cancer diagnoses and 7.2% of all cancer deaths in Louisiana. Social support (SS) positively affects quality of life and positively affects survival rates following a breast cancer diagnosis. However, young women with breast cancer (YBCS) often have difficulty finding existing services meeting their family’s needs in systems focusing on older women with breast cancer. Methods: This study explored the relationship between total SS, emotional support (ES), tangible support (TS), affectionate support (AS), positive social interaction (PSI) and demographic/treatment characteristics of women in Louisiana diagnosed with breast cancer before age 45. Participants completed a survey utilizing the Medical Outcomes Study Social Support Survey. Results: Married women and women living with a partner received more total SS, TS, AS, and PSI than unmarried women and those not living with a partner (p = 0.0004, p = 0.0017, p < 0.0001, p < 0.0001, respectively). Total SS, AS and PSI were significantly different with respect to income level (p=0.0256, p=0.0026, and p=0.0084, respectively). Discussion: The results suggest YBCS who are not married/living with a partner and have incomes less than $75,000 receive less total SS, AS, and PSI. This lack of support among YBCS indicates the need for support options for these subsets of YBCS. Conclusion: This study’s findings suggest lower income and unmarried YBCS may benefit from focused support options, including online options for those that cannot access in-person support options.

DOI

10.59020/06552

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