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This study examined the long-term trajectory patterns of anxiety in breast cancer survivors and identified its predicting variables, especially the type of coping profile. Eighty-one patients who completed all four questionnaires from the 10-year study were included in the analysis. Anxiety scores from the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale were used in latent class growth analysis to chart the anxiety trajectory of cancer survivors. Demographic variables, clinical variables, depression level, and coping profiles (adaptive versus maladaptive) were used as predictors. Our study identified a two-class model of long-term anxiety trajectory among breast cancer survivors, with a resistant group (85.2%) and a distress group (14.8%). Demographic and clinical variables were not associated with anxiety trajectory paths. On the other hand, maladaptive coping characterized by higher scores in helplessness/hopelessness, cognitive avoidance, and anxious preoccupation, and lower scores in fighting spirit and fatalism in the Mini-MAC was a significant predictor of distressed anxiety. Coping profiles identified using the Mini-MAC were predictive of long-term anxiety trajectory among breast cancer survivors in our survey. Early interventions on coping with cancer could reduce long-term anxiety problems. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: Evidence suggests peer support (PS) is as an effective strategy for enhancing prevention and control of chronic and infectious diseases, including cancer. This systematic scoping review examines the range and variety of interventions on the use of PS across the cancer care continuum.Method: We used a broad definition of PS to capture a wide-range of interventions and characterize the current status of the field. Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, and CINAHL to identify relevant articles published from January 2011 to June 2016. We screened the title and abstracts of 2087 articles, followed by full-text screening of 420 articles, resulting in a final sample of 242 articles of which the most recent 100 articles were reviewed (published June 2014 to May 2016).Results: A number of the recent intervention studies focused on breast cancer (32%, breast cancer only) or multiple cancer sites (23%). Although the interventions spanned all phases of the cancer care continuum, only 2% targeted end-of-life care. Seventy-six percent focused on clinical outcomes (e.g., screening, treatment adherence) and 72% on reducing health disparities. Interventions were primarily phone-based (44%) or delivered in a clinic setting (44%). Only a few studies (22%) described the impact of providing PS on peer supporters.Conclusion: PS appears to be a widely used approach to address needs across the cancer care continuum, with many opportunities to expand its reach. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]