The relationship between risk factors and medication adherence among breast cancer survivors: What explanatory role might depression play?. Issue 12 (30th January 2017)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Markovitz, Louis C.; Drysdale, Nicholas J.; Bettencourt, B. Ann
• Is Part Of: Psycho-oncology. Volume 26:Issue 12(2017)
• Page Start: 2294
• Page End: 2299
• Publication Date: 2017-01-30
• Subjects: cancer -- depression -- medication adherence -- oncology -- physical functioning; Cancer -- Psychological aspects -- Periodicals; Cancer -- Social aspects -- Periodicals; Neoplasms -- psychology -- Periodicals; 616.9940019
• DOI: 10.1002/pon.4362
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1057-9249

Abstract

Abstract: Objective: Despite the efficacy of clinical treatments (eg, adjuvant hormonal therapy) for breast cancer survivors (BCS), nonadherence rates remain high, increasing the risk of recurrence and mortality. The current study tested a theoretical model of medical nonadherence that proposes depression to be the most proximal predictor of medical nonadherence among BCS. Methods: Breast cancer survivors were recruited from radiation clinics in Missouri. Survey data were collected 12 months after the end of primary treatment. The sample size included 133 BCS. Results: Findings show substantial support for the model, demonstrating that depression mediated the relation between physical symptoms, cognitive symptoms, social support, and adherence to medication. This finding was replicated with a measure of mood disturbance. Conclusions: These findings support the prediction that medication nonadherence among BCS multiply determined process and have compelling implications for healthcare providers and interventions designed to increase medication adherence among BCS.