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A prospective and population-based inquiry on the use and acceptability of peer support for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer

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Abstract

The degree to which peer support is used and accepted as a supportive care approach by women with breast cancer is unclear. We examine peer support use across three major modalities (i.e. support groups, online platforms, one-on-one) and identify enablers and barriers to peer support using the beliefs framework of the theory of planned behaviour. A population-based sample of women newly diagnosed with breast cancer (n = 3105) who were on average 54.08 weeks since diagnosis completed mailed surveys at baseline measuring beliefs about peer support and intention. Peer support use was measured via telephone interview at baseline and prospectively at 12-month follow-up (n = 2780). In all, 37% of women had used at least one peer support service since diagnosis (support group = 20%, online = 18%, one-on-one = 10%). A path analysis examined what beliefs enabled or acted as barriers to peer support use at follow-up adjusting for past behaviour (i.e. baseline use), sociodemographic characteristics, and treatment. In order of relative strength, enablers included beliefs that peer support is an outlet for honest expression of feelings (β = .35), a source of empathy (β = .30), approved by doctors (β = .07), and approved by family/partner (β = .04). Barriers were beliefs that it encourages dwelling about breast cancer (β = − .06) and involves exposure to negative stories about this disease (β = − .04). Strategies which communicate the potential emotional support benefits of a shared illness experience and social approval by others, particularly the medical profession, may help to promote acceptance of peer support and encourage service uptake in breast cancer.

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Notes

  1. For the present study, the criteria for a support group were (a) a formalised group of people who meet at a scheduled time on a regular basis and (b) the people in the group are connected in some way by cancer (e.g. currently undergoing or finished treatment for cancer or friend/relative/partner of someone with cancer). This included both professional- and peer-led groups. The criteria for an online peer support platform were (a) an online service where people can join to seek contact with other people (e.g. discussion boards, chat rooms, or interactive online mailing lists) and (b) all people who sign up to the online service are connected in some way by cancer. A one-on-one peer support service was defined as a service that organised women diagnosed with breast cancer to speak one-on-one with a breast cancer volunteer.

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Acknowledgements

The authors wish to thank Carmen Connell and Carla Shield for research support.

Funding

Data for this study was collected as part of a research project on breast cancer outcomes funded by Cancer Australia (grant number 1006339). Philippa Youl is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Early Career Fellowship (#1054038).

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Menzies Health Institute Queensland, Griffith University, Gold Coast Campus, Southport, Queensland, 4222, Australia

    Melissa Legg, Melissa K. Hyde, Stefano Occhipinti, Philippa H. Youl, Jeff Dunn & Suzanne K. Chambers

  2. Cancer Research Centre, Cancer Council Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Melissa Legg, Melissa K. Hyde, Jeff Dunn & Suzanne K. Chambers

  3. School of Public Health and Social Work, Queensland University of Technology, Brisbane, Australia

    Philippa H. Youl

  4. University of the Sunshine Coast, Sippy Downs, Australia

    Philippa H. Youl

  5. Institute for Resilient Regions, University of Southern Queensland, Springfield, Australia

    Jeff Dunn & Suzanne K. Chambers

  6. School of Social Science, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia

    Jeff Dunn

  7. Prostate Cancer Foundation of Australia, Sydney, Australia

    Suzanne K. Chambers

  8. Health and Wellness Institute, Edith Cowan University, Perth, Australia

    Suzanne K. Chambers

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  1. Melissa Legg
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Correspondence to Melissa Legg.

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Legg, M., Hyde, M.K., Occhipinti, S. et al. A prospective and population-based inquiry on the use and acceptability of peer support for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer. Support Care Cancer 27, 677–685 (2019). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-018-4358-z

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