Family Intervention Based on the FOCUS Program Effects on Cancer Coping in Iranian Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Tabrizi, Fatemeh Moghaddam; Alizadeh, Saeedeh

doi:10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.6.1523

Family Intervention Based on the FOCUS Program Effects on Cancer Coping in Iranian Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

¹ Nursing and Midwifery Department, Reproductive Health Research Center, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

² Student Research Center affiliated, Urmia University of Medical Sciences, Urmia, Iran.

10.22034/APJCP.2018.19.6.1523

Abstract

Background: Breast cancer affects patients’ lives. Many breast cancer patients have problems with coping and
they need support from their families. Family involvement based on the FOCUS program is designed to support breast
cancer survivors within their families. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of family involvement based
on the FOCUS program on coping in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in academic centers in Urmia
in 2016. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial study, sixty breast cancer survivors were randomly assigned
into intervention (N=30) and control (N=30) groups. The FOCUS program family-based intervention featured six
sessions covering subject areas of family involvement, optimism, cancer coping, uncertainty reduction and symptom
management. The instruments used were demographic and cancer coping questionnaires. Data were analyzed with
SPSS 20 software. Result: The findings revealed a significant improvement in total cancer coping scores (t= -12/39,
p<0.001), in all subscales including individual (t= -11/52, p<0.001), positive focus (t= -7/03, p<0.001), coping (t=
-7/28, p<0.001), diversion (t= -11/76, p<0.001), planning (t=-4/91, p<0.001) and in interpersonal (t=-11/14, p<0.001).
No significant changes were observed for the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that family involvement
based on the FOCUS program increases the ability to cope in breast cancer survivors.

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