Understanding Women's Experiences and Concerns Following Breast Cancer

(Posted February 2011)
The following information relates to an online study currently being conducted by researchers at the University of Auckland. If you are interested in participating, please read the information below or visit the survey website to find out more and to complete the online survey.
  
Coping with Fears of Cancer Recurrence
Researchers:
Professor Linda Cameron and Loshni Rogers, Doctorate (Clinical Psychology) candidate, Department of Psychology, University of Auckland.
(Loshni Rogers is currently doing adoctorate in Clinical Psychology at the University of Auckland. This research is part of her doctoral thesis.)

The Study
You are invited to take part in this online pilot study to investigate how women are coping with their concerns of cancer recurrence after they have completed treatment for primary breast cancer.

This experience is common for many people after cancer treatment and it is hoped that a better understanding of this issue will help shape psychological services for helping women manage their concerns.

This investigation is part of a larger study that will explore how women’s fear of cancer recurrence impacts their mental wellbeing and quality of life.

This pilot study involves the completion of a short questionnaire. Remember that your participation is entirely voluntary (your choice).You do not have to take part, and if you choose not to take part, this will not affect any future care or treatment at your clinic. If you do agree to take part, you are free to withdraw from the study at any time, without having to give a reason.

Who will benefit from this study?
This pilot study is part of a larger study designed to better understand women’s experiences so that interventions may be put in place to improve the wellbeing of women following cancer treatment.

The findings of this study will hopefully benefit future women with breast cancer in several ways. It will identify how particular ideas or beliefs about cancer may affect psychological wellbeing and coping strategies that are most effective at reducing distress. This will help guide psychological services for women with breast cancer so that their adjustment following treatment is improved. It will also help identify women earlier in treatment who may be more susceptible to distress following treatment. The findings of this project will also be presented to the Breast Cancer Clinics involved in this study to inform them of how women are faring post-treatment. It is anticipated that this may improve aspects of the information as well as the communication women receive from medical professionals prior to treatment.

What does the study involve?
Women who are over the age of 18 and have undergone treatment for primary breast cancer in the last 5 years will be invited to participate in this pilot study. We hope to have 60 participants for this project who will be recruited through Breast Cancer Clinics, and via the Cancer Registry.

Participants will be asked to complete one short online questionnaire which will follow shortly. The questionnaire should take about twenty minutes to complete. Please feel reassured that anything you say in your questionnaire will be kept confidential and private.

If you wish to participate in this study, please visit the survey site. Thank you for your time and consideration.

Loshni Rogers
loshnirogers@hotmail.com
Psychology Department
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92019
Auckland

Supervisor:
Professor Linda Cameron
(09) 373-7999, extn.86869
l.cameron@auckland.ac.nz
Psychology Department
University of Auckland
Private Bag 92109
Auckland 

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