CHDR Funded Pilot Studies

African American Women's Breast Cancer Treatment QOL

Phyllis Morgan, PhD, RN, FNP (JHUSON)

The more knowledge and awareness oncology nurses have about the breast cancer experience among African American (AA) women, the more likely they will have a positive impact on AA women's QOL. This proposed study will examine factors that may influence the quality of life (QOL) of newly diagnosed African American (AA) women during the breast cancer treatment phase.

The Roy Adaptation Model (Roy & Andrews, 1999) will serve as a guide for this study in which The QOL of individuals reflects their adaptation to stimuli. The main research variables include: Adaptation, coping, and QOL. The specific aims of the study are to: 1) describe the 5 domains of QOL including physical, emotional, functional, social/family, and spiritual well-being for newly diagnosed AA women during the breast cancer treatment phase and 2) examine factors that may predict the QOL of newly diagnosed AA women with breast cancer during the breast cancer treatment phase.

Using a cross-sectional predictive correlational design, a convenience sample of AA women (N= 109) who meet the following eligibility criteria will be enrolled: (a) first time diagnosis of breast cancer; (b) currently receiving initial radiation and/or chemotherapy treatment; (c) no metastatic disease and (d) able to provide written and verbal consent for participation. Participants will be recruited within the mid-Atlantic United States from hospital oncology centers, medical oncologist's offices, and breast surgeon's offices.

Data will be analyzed using descriptive statistics and hierarchical regression analyses. This study may serve as a preliminary study for development of an evidence-based culturally sensitive and culturally relevant nursing intervention for AA women during the breast cancer treatment phase.