Peer-counseling for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized community/research collaboration trial.

Background: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of peer-counseling for newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients as a community/research collaboration testing an intervention developed jointly by a community-based-organization serving women with cancer and university researchers.

Methods: We recruited 104 women newly diagnosed with BC at any disease stage. Prior to randomization, all received a one-time visit with an oncology nurse who offered information and resources.

Marital status predicts change in distress and well-being in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer and their peer counselors.

We conducted a nonrandomized study matching 42 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer (sojourners) with 39 trained breast cancer survivors (navigators) who provided one-on-one peer counseling for 3-6 months. Because little is known about how marital status might impact participants in such an intervention, we tested whether being married/partnered buffered navigators and sojourners from distress at baseline and over time. We examined baseline and slopes over time for change in depression and trauma symptoms, and emotional well-being.

The effect of peer counseling on quality of life following diagnosis of breast cancer: an observational study.

Women with breast cancer express the greatest need for counseling at the time of diagnosis and report that the intervention they want is to be able to speak with someone who has the same cancer, but has lived through the crisis of treatment and is leading a 'normal' life. We conducted an observational study of a 6-month peer-counseling intervention testing outcomes for both newly diagnosed women (Sojourners) and peer counselors (Navigators) as a first step toward the goal of validating a peer navigator program. Significant improvement in the Sojourners was observed in trauma symptoms, emotional well-being, cancer self-efficacy, and desire for information on breast cancer resources.