DEMANDS ON MEDICAL PROFESSIONALS AND SOCIETY BY BREAST CANCER PEER SUPPORTERS FROM A HUMAN RELATIONS PERSPECTIVE

Abstract Background and Purpose Cooperation between cancer patients, medical professionals, and government is essential for achieving cancer peer support. We focused on the perspective of human relations and clarified the demands on medical professionals and society made by breast cancer peer supporters; moreover, we examined future issues. Methods Employing qualitative descriptive study, we selected 30 facilities among national cancer patient associations and support groups using a random number table. Consenting representatives from four of these facilities were given explanations of the purpose and methods of this study, and 10 breast cancer peer supporters were interviewed. Data analysis involved categorization using the content analysis method. Ethical Considerations This study was conducted with the approval of the ethical review committee to which the research was affiliated (23004). There were no conflicts of interest. Results The mean age of participants was 60.8 years (47–73 years), and the mean number of years of experience as a breast cancer peer supporter was 11 years (0.5–20 years), with seven participants having qualifications such as a Breast cancer Experienced Coordinator. The following three categories and eight subcategories were extracted as a result of interviews on participants’ demands of medical professionals and government in their past experiences with breast cancer peer support activities. The wishes of breast cancer peer supporters were the [participation of cancer peer support in team medical care], [improvement of awareness of cancer peer support], and [cooperation between the government and cancer collaboration base hospitals], with the statement of “wanting cancer peer support to be included in team medical care” stated. Additionally, peer support leads to patients’ mental well-being and contributes to the reduced workload of medical professionals; thus, the above statement was found. Moreover, the study also revealed that a system of compensation for peer activities was an urgent issue. Discussion and Conclusion Breast cancer peer supporters had a high degree of contribution to the emotional support and literacy improvement of patients and their families from the perspective of human relations. Moreover, they were able to relate to their own experience of how peer support helped them feel better during difficult times. However, this level of recognition was still low, urging the need to understand the activities of breast cancer peer support and for collaboration between cancer patients, medical professionals, and the government to provide team medical care. References We would like to thank Editage (www.editage.com) for English language editing.