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Supportive Care in Cancer

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01-06-2020 | Breast Cancer | Original Article

Dyadic quality of life among heterosexual and sexual minority breast cancer survivors and their caregivers

Authors: Ulrike Boehmer, Jeffrey E. Stokes, Angela R. Bazzi, Melissa A. Clark

Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

Purpose

The number of informal caregivers to cancer survivors is increasing, and limited information is available about caregivers to sexual minority breast cancer survivors. The purpose of this study was to assess dyadic quality of life among sexual minority cancer survivors and their caregivers compared with heterosexual cancer survivors and their caregivers.

Methods

We recruited 167 survivors of non-metastatic breast cancer of different sexual orientations and their caregivers, who were surveyed via telephone after obtaining consent. We used inverse propensity score weighting to account for differences by sexual orientation in age and length of the survivor-caregiver relationship, and simultaneous equation models consistent with the needs for analyzing dyadic data.

Results

About 6–7 years after diagnosis, survivors and caregivers reported quality of life scores consistent with population norms, and there were no differences by survivors’ sexual orientation. With few exceptions, caregivers’ and survivors’ quality of life influenced one another directly, and these effects were stronger among sexual minority dyads than heterosexual dyads.

Conclusions

Because of the strength of sexual minority, survivors’ and their caregivers’ mutual influence on each other’s quality of life, interventions, and clinical care for sexual minority breast cancer survivors should consider their caregivers.

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Title: Dyadic quality of life among heterosexual and sexual minority breast cancer survivors and their caregivers
Authors: Ulrike Boehmer
Jeffrey E. Stokes
Angela R. Bazzi
Melissa A. Clark
Publication date: 01-06-2020
Publisher: Springer Berlin Heidelberg
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Published in: Supportive Care in Cancer / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 0941-4355
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7339
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-019-05148-7

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Abstract

Purpose

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Conclusions

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