Study of Support Groups for African-American Breast Cancer Survivors

Sister Survivor: African American Breast Cancer Coalition

RATIONALE: A study that evaluates successful Los Angeles-based, peer-led African American breast cancer survivor support groups may help in developing a guide on how to organize and maintain breast cancer support groups.

PURPOSE: This clinical trial is studying support groups for African-American breast cancer survivors.

Study Overview

• Status: Completed
• Conditions: Breast Cancer; Cancer Survivor
• Intervention / Treatment: Other: communication analysis; Other: questionnaire administration; Procedure: psychosocial assessment and care; Procedure: support group therapy

Detailed Description

OBJECTIVES:

• Characterize five established Los Angeles (LA)-based, peer-led African American Breast Cancer Survivor (AABCS) support groups by identifying and evaluating the successful elements of structure and process that distinguish these groups: the purpose and goals; theories and techniques that are utilized; the structure of the group and implementation of specific goals; the cultural aspects that are incorporated to enhance the efficacy; and similarities and differences among these AABCS support groups.
• Develop a preliminary "Culturally Informed Breast Cancer Support Group Guide" on how to organize and maintain support groups, modeled on the "best model" experiences of the five established LA-based support groups for AABCS.
• Conduct three needs-assessment focus groups and 5 key informant interviews in the Inland Empire to evaluate the psychosocial needs and resources of AABCS in that region.

OUTLINE: At least 10 support group leaders (2 from each support group) undergo semi-structured interviews to elicit information about the needs of breast cancer survivors in their community and the cultural modes of support that are given. Eight to twelve African American Breast Cancer Survivors (AABCS) participate in 5 focus group discussions and complete a questionnaire about their breast cancer and experience with support groups for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

At least 5 Inland Empire community leaders undergo semi-structured interviews to elicit information about the needs of breast cancer survivors in their community. Eight to twelve AABCS from the Inland Empire participate in 3 focus group discussions and complete a questionnaire about their breast cancer and experience with support groups for qualitative and quantitative analysis.

• Study Type: Interventional
• Enrollment (Actual): 74
• Phase: Not Applicable

Contacts and Locations

Study Locations

• United States
  • California
    • Duarte, California, United States, 91010-3000
      • City of Hope Comprehensive Cancer Center

Participation Criteria

Eligibility Criteria

• Ages Eligible for Study: 18 years and older (Adult, Older Adult)
• Accepts Healthy Volunteers: No
• Genders Eligible for Study: Female

Description

DISEASE CHARACTERISTICS:

• Meets 1 of the following criteria:

  • African American Breast Cancer Survivor (AABCS) meeting 1 of the following criteria:

    • A member of 1 of the 5 support groups listed below
    • Live in the Inland Empire region of California

  • A cancer support group leader or facilitator of 1 of the 5 established support groups in Los Angeles:

    • Women of Essence (WOE)
    • Women of Color (WOC)
    • Support Sisters African American Breast Cancer Support Groups
    • Sisters
    • Celebrate Life
  • A community leader knowledgeable about breast cancer support services in the Inland Empire region

PATIENT CHARACTERISTICS:

• Not specified

PRIOR CONCURRENT THERAPY:

• Not specified

Study Plan

How is the study designed?

Design Details

• Masking: None (Open Label)

What is the study measuring?

Primary Outcome Measures

Outcome Measure
Characterization of five established Los Angeles-based, peer-led African American Breast Cancer Survivor (AABCS) support groups
Preliminary "Culturally-Informed Breast Cancer Support Group Guide" on how to organize and maintain support groups
Completion of 3 needs-assessment focus group sessions and 5 key-informant interviews in the Inland Empire

Collaborators and Investigators

• Sponsor: City of Hope Medical Center
• Collaborators: National Cancer Institute (NCI)

Study record dates

Study Major Dates

• Study Start: January 1, 2008
• Primary Completion (Actual): September 1, 2009
• Study Completion (Actual): September 1, 2009

Study Registration Dates

• First Submitted: July 29, 2009
• First Submitted That Met QC Criteria: July 29, 2009
• First Posted (Estimate): July 30, 2009

Study Record Updates

• Last Update Posted (Estimate): June 8, 2015
• Last Update Submitted That Met QC Criteria: June 3, 2015
• Last Verified: June 1, 2015

More Information

Terms related to this study

• Keywords: stage IV breast cancer; stage IIIA breast cancer; stage IIIB breast cancer; stage II breast cancer; stage IIIC breast cancer; cancer survivor; stage I breast cancer
• Additional Relevant MeSH Terms: Skin Diseases; Neoplasms; Neoplasms by Site; Breast Diseases; Breast Neoplasms
• Other Study ID Numbers: 07170; P30CA033572 (U.S. NIH Grant/Contract); CHNMC-07170; CDR0000642441 (Registry Identifier: NCI PDQ)

Drug and device information, study documents

• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated drug product: No
• Studies a U.S. FDA-regulated device product: No
• product manufactured in and exported from the U.S.: No