The Need for Information and Support among First-degree Relatives of Patients with Breast Cancer What Do We Know?

Abstract

Objective: Since first-degree female relatives (FDFRs) of women with breast cancer (BC) also have a high risk of developing BC, providing them information and support is important and this should not be overlooked. The purpose of the study is to determine the needs of primary relatives of women with BC in Turkey for information and support.Methods: This article is a descriptive research. A total of 199 volunteer relatives of patients with BC were reached and interviewed by nurses in a university hospital's oncology clinic. They completed the Information and Support Needs Questionnaire. Parametric, non parametric, and multiple regression tests were used in statistical analysis.Results: In the study, a statistically significant difference was observed between the information and support needs and demographics of FDFRs (p<0.05). The rate of information need was higher among those who had a risk of BC and who practiced protective behaviors regularly. And also the rate of unmet support need was higher among those who had a risk of BC and who did not practice protective behaviors (p<0.05). The need for information and support is increasing in the FDFRs of women with BC whose diagnosis time prolonged.Conclusion: This study showed that FDFRs of patients with BC needed information and psychosocial support. Nurses should have an important role in communicating with relatives of patients with BC.