A cross-cultural analysis of salivary cortisol patterns in breast cancer survivors. (16th April 2019)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Wan, Cynthia; Boileau, Kayla; D'Amico, Danielle; Huang, Vivian; Fiocco, Alexandra J; Clément, Richard; Bielajew, Catherine
• Is Part Of: Breast cancer management. Volume 8:Number 1(2019)
• Publication Date: 2019-04-16
• Subjects: acute cortisol -- breast cancer survivorship -- cultural orientation -- diurnal cortisol -- physiological stress -- psychological stress -- reactivity -- salivary cortisol; Breast -- Cancer -- Periodicals; Breast -- Cancer -- Treatment -- Periodicals; 616.9944905
• DOI: 10.2217/bmt-2019-0004
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 1758-1923

Abstract

Aim: In this study, we examined whether Chinese and White women with and without a history of breast cancer exhibit differences in physiological and psychological stress profiles.Methods: Diurnal and reactive salivary cortisol profiles and psychological stress patterns of 41 breast cancer survivors and 58 healthy women were assessed.Results: Breast cancer survivors displayed a blunted acute cortisol response but there was no main effect of ethnocultural membership. Subjective appraisals of stress during the acute stressor revealed a significant interaction between ethnocultural group, health status and time (p = 0.032).Conclusion: Our results support the existing literature though suggest group differences in the appraisal of stress; thus, underscoring the importance of cultural sensitivity and awareness among clinicians and existing programs.