Trial Information

Reducing the Burden of Breast Cancer Among African American and Latina Survivors

OBJECTIVES:

Primary

- Evaluate the utility of individual telephone sessions plus survivorship booklets versus
the survivorship booklets alone in increasing knowledge about the psychological and
physical impact of breast cancer and increasing awareness of appropriate psychological
and medical resources among African American and Latina breast cancer survivors.

- Evaluate the utility of these interventions in improving psychological functioning
(depression and anxiety) among breast cancer survivors.

- Evaluate the utility of these interventions in improving family and social functioning
(changes in family and partner communications) among breast cancer survivors.

Secondary

- Evaluate predictors of health-related quality of life (demographic, medical care
factors, psychological, socio-ecological, and socio-cultural factors) within and across
breast cancer survivors ethnic groups to identify both general and ethnic-specific
correlates.

OUTLINE: Patients are stratified according to ethnicity (African American vs Latina).
Patients are randomized to 1 of 2 groups.

- Group 1: Patients receive a survivorship kit of booklets in English or Spanish.
Patients then receive a follow-up telephone call at approximately 2 months to clarify
any issues relevant to the survivorship kit of booklets.

- Group 2: Patients participate in 8 weekly telephone sessions addressing basic breast
cancer information; education about psychological and medical effects of cancer and its
treatments; resources including psychosocial, medical care facilities, and clinical
trials information; stress management and relaxation; cognitive reframing of concerns
and behavioral strategies; family communication; relational communication and intimacy;
and social support. Patients also receive a survivorship kit of booklets as in group 1.

After completion of study intervention, patients complete follow-up questionnaires at 4 to 6
months.