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Strengthening Families Facing Breast Cancer: Emerging Trends and Clinical Recommendations

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Family Resilience and Chronic Illness

Part of the book series: Emerging Issues in Family and Individual Resilience ((EIIFR))

Abstract

Breast cancer is the second most prevalent form of cancer (after skin cancer) among American women, with one of eight women expected to receive a breast cancer diagnosis in her lifetime. Breast cancer not only impacts the patient, but also his or her family members. Family members commonly experience diminished psychological and physical well-being, particularly in the period following diagnosis, during active treatment, and in the terminal phase. Partners are vulnerable to distress because they often believe they need to be strong for the patient and other family members while simultaneously grappling with their own fear, sadness, and helplessness. There are many support systems for individuals with breast cancer (e.g., medical, friends and family, organizations, peer support groups), however, partners often provide rather than receive support. Families of breast cancer patients are healthier when each member of the couple is cared for and when the couple subsystem is supported. This chapter outlines common issues experienced by breast cancer patients and their family members, particularly intimate partners, during different phases of the cancer experience including diagnosis, treatment, and recurrence. When managed effectively, breast cancer can change families in surprising and positive ways. For example, family members of cancer patients have reported increased self-esteem, enriched relationships, and improved adaptability. It is suggested that future research studies focus on family members of male, LGBT, and racial-ethnic minority breast cancer patients. Effective psychological interventions for couples in which one member has breast cancer and clinical recommendations for strengthening the family during this stressful time are provided.

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Acknowledgments

Thanks to Molly Brawer, Hannah Clarke, Gabrielle Schreyer, Chana Krupka, Eleanor Smith, and Kristen Lipari for initial library research, feedback on drafts of the manuscript, and assistance with the development of the discussion questions.

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  1. Counseling & Counseling Psychology, Fordham University, 113 West 60th Street, New York, NY, 10023, USA

    Merle Keitel Ph.D.

  2. Fordham University, Bronx, NY, 10458, USA

    Alexandra Lamm

  3. Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA

    Alyson Moadel-Robblee Ph.D.

Authors
  1. Merle Keitel Ph.D.
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  2. Alexandra Lamm
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  3. Alyson Moadel-Robblee Ph.D.
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Merle Keitel Ph.D. .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. College of Human Sciences, Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA

    Ginger L. Welch

  2. Oklahoma State University, Stillwater, Oklahoma, USA

    Amanda W. Harrist

Discussion Questions

Discussion Questions

  1. 1.

    If you were to counsel a woman with advanced stage breast cancer, what types of interventions and approaches might you use and why?

  2. 2.

    How would you tailor your treatment of an individual who is undergoing a mastectomy alone versus an individual who must also receive chemotherapy ? What other factors would weigh in on your treatment of these individuals?

  3. 3.

    What questions might you ask a couple about their relationship if the wife had been battling cancer for the past year?

  4. 4.

    What cultural factors might be relevant at diagnosis?

  5. 5.

    How might you engage and support the male partner of a breast cancer patient, who can only periodically attend medical visits with his wife due to work and childcare demands?

  6. 6.

    How would you address a young couple’s concerns about sexual intimacy and fertility prior to starting chemotherapy ?

  7. 7.

    How might you work with a couple where the partner and patient have very different styles of coping? For example, one may cope through minimizing the threat and the other by wanting to emote and process the anxiety s/he is experiencing.

  8. 8.

    How might spiritual/religious factors act as a facilitator or barrier to coping in the face of breast cancer at different stages?

  9. 9.

    If a couple facing breast cancer has underage children, how would you approach counseling this family?

  10. 10.

    A distraught breast cancer patient comes to you for counseling upon her partner abruptly leaving due to not “being able to take it anymore.” How would you work with them from a family resiliency model?

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Keitel, M., Lamm, A., Moadel-Robblee, A. (2017). Strengthening Families Facing Breast Cancer: Emerging Trends and Clinical Recommendations. In: Welch, G., Harrist, A. (eds) Family Resilience and Chronic Illness. Emerging Issues in Family and Individual Resilience. Springer, Cham. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26033-4_8

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-3-319-26033-4_8

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Cham

  • Print ISBN: 978-3-319-26031-0

  • Online ISBN: 978-3-319-26033-4

  • eBook Packages: Social SciencesSocial Sciences (R0)

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