Anne Nicolaisen

Aim: Breast cancer is a disease that affects both the patient and her social network. Studies show that partners of women diagnosed with breast cancer can be a great resource of emotional and practical help and support during the time immediately after the diagnosis and in the rehabilitation process. The partners will often themselves be emotionally affected by the diagnoses.

We found it justifiable to investigate a psychological intervention, which aim to increase the adjusting ability of both the partner and the patient, when the woman is diagnosed with breast cancer. This study will bring forward knowledge about the effect of involving the partner in the breast cancer patient’s course of disease and rehabilitation.

Method: A randomised controlled study assessing the effect of a psychological intervention compared to a control group receiving current hospital practice. A total of 200 women recently diagnosed with breast cancer and their partners will be recruited at the Department of Breast Surgery at Ringsted Hospital and at Odense University Hospital, Denmark. The intervention consists of six to eight couple sessions conducted by a psychologist one to five month after the cancer diagnosis. The framework of the intervention is attachment theory. The intervention advices and supports the couples to talk candidly about their feelings regarding their new life situation with cancer and to help them feel comfortable and safe in each other’s presence.

Data will be obtained by questionnaires for both patients and partners at baseline, 2 weeks post-intervention and 10 months follow-up.

Process and results: Enrollment in the study will initiate October 2011 and is expected to last until July 2012. Data will be obtained until May 2013.