Perceived social support and adjustment to mastectomy in socioeconomically disadvantaged black women

Abstract

Breast cancer is the most common form of cancer among women and is the second leading cause of death of women in the United States. This study examined the relationship between perceptions of social support and adjustment to breast cancer for 100 socioeconomically disadvantaged black women and it explored the relationship between diverse demographic features as they influenced the breast cancer experience. Two groups of women were interviewed after their mastectomies: one group at three months and a second group at twelve months. Implications for social work intervention for socioeconomically disadvantaged women are explored.