Perceived social support evaluation in breast cancer patients: a case-control study

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women and it has a great burden in the society. many psychological and social factors could affect these patients and one of the most factors is patients perceived social support. This study was designed to evaluate patients social support.Methods: This was a case-control study which was done on 140 women who were included in 2011- 2012 from Asia hospital in Tehran. 70 patients had breast cancer and 70 were healthy participants. Age was matched between groups. Farsi version of Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS-P) questionnaire was used for social support evaluation in participants. Results: Mean age in breast cancer group was 52.48 ± 7.25 years and mean age in control group was 51.37 + 7.46 years (P=0.783). Mean family support score in case group was 18.23 ± 3.12 and in controlgroup was 15.48 ± 3.23 (P=0.038). Mean friends support score in case group was 14.87 ± 2.56 and in control group was 15.28 ± 2.63 (P=0.648). Mean significant other support score in case group was 15.58 ± 2.68 and in control group was 14.08 ± 2.52 (P=0.738).Conclusion: According to our results patients had a supportive family and this could be because of our traditional and religious culture in Iran. This support could help patients to recover their quality of life. Psychological factors should be considered by surgeon during their treatments for women with breast cancer.

کلیدواژه ها:

Breast ، Cancer ، Social support