Information needs of adolescents when a mother is diagnosed with breast cancer

Abstract

This pilot study was undertaken to increase our understanding of the information needs of adolescents when a mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. In-depth interviews with 13 adolescents provided insight into the types of questions they had at the time of their mother’s diagnosis and how satisfied they were with the access they had to information. These adolescents had many questions about cancer and its treatment, specific questions about their mother’s disease and survival, and concerns about their own risk. Each sought information on their own in addition to conversations with one or both parents. They identified their most pressing concern as the need to know about their mother’s survival. All felt it was important to have access to information and to have someone with whom they could talk about what was happening. This person needed to be someone with whom they were comfortable and whom, in turn, had both credibility and comfort with emotions. Clearly, adolescents experience needs for information when their mother is diagnosed with breast cancer. Cancer nurses can assist women diagnosed with breast cancer plan how to support their adolescent children and meet the needs for information.