Social networks and survival after breast cancer diagnosis.

Beasley, Jeannette M and Newcomb, Polly A and Trentham-Dietz, Amy and Hampton, John M and Ceballos, Rachel M and Titus-Ernstoff, Linda and Egan, Kathleen M and Holmes, Michelle D (2010) Social networks and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. Journal of cancer survivorship : research and practice. ISSN 1932-2267 (In Press)

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Abstract

INTRODUCTION: Evidence has been inconsistent regarding the impact of social networks on survival after breast cancer diagnosis. We prospectively examined the relation between components of social integration and survival in a large cohort of breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Women (N = 4,589) diagnosed with invasive breast cancer were recruited from a population-based, multi-center, case-control study. A median of 5.6 years (Interquartile Range 2.7-8.7) after breast cancer diagnosis, women completed a questionnaire on recent post-diagnosis social networks and other lifestyle factors. Social networks were measured using components of the Berkman-Syme Social Networks Index to create a measure of social connectedness. Based on a search of the National Death Index, 552 deaths (146 related to breast cancer) were identified. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression. RESULTS: Higher scores on a composite measure of social connectedness as determined by the frequency of contacts with family and friends, attendance of religious services, and participation in community activities was associated with a 15-28% reduced risk of death from any cause (p-trend = 0.02). Inverse trends were observed between all-cause mortality and frequency of attendance at religious services (p-trend = 0.0001) and hours per week engaged in community activities (p-trend = 0.0005). No material associations were identified between social networks and breast cancer-specific mortality. CONCLUSIONS: Engagement in activities outside the home was associated with lower overall mortality after breast cancer diagnosis.

Item Type:	Article or Abstract
Additional Information:	This article is available to subscribers only via the URL above.
DOI:	10.1007/s11764-010-0139-5
PubMed ID:	20652435
NIHMSID:	228689
PMCID:	PMC2978785
Grant Numbers:	R01 CA047147, R01 CA047305
Keywords or MeSH Headings:	Aged Breast Neoplasms/diagnosis Breast Neoplasms/mortality* Breast Neoplasms/psychology Breast Neoplasms/rehabilitation Carcinoma/diagnosis Carcinoma/mortality* Carcinoma/psychology Carcinoma/rehabilitation Case-Control Studies Cause of Death Female Follow-Up Studies Humans Middle Aged Social Support* Socioeconomic Factors Survival Analysis
Depositing User:	Library Staff
Date Deposited:	13 Aug 2010 22:41
Last Modified:	27 Feb 2021 00:35
URI:	http://authors.fhcrc.org/id/eprint/446

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