Impact of Culturally Tailored Interventions on Quality of Life for Latina Breast Cancer Survivors and Caregivers

A recent randomized controlled trial has explored the benefits of a culturally adapted group intervention aimed at improving quality of life among Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers. Published in the journal Cancer, the study investigated whether tailored communication and coping skills training could significantly enhance emotional well-being and fatigue management.

The trial involved 272 participants—136 Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers—from Washington, D.C., New York, NY, and San Jose, CA. These pairs were randomly assigned to either an eight-session intervention designed by Nueva Vida, Inc., or to receive existing community support services. The intervention focused on reflecting the cultural values and preferences of Latina/o communities, emphasizing communication and coping strategies.

Participation was high, with 71.4% of the pairs attending at least five sessions and 82% remaining engaged after six months. Results indicated that participants in the intervention group experienced notable reductions in anxiety and fatigue at the six-month mark compared to those utilizing usual support services. However, after adjusting for various influencing factors, these differences did not reach statistical significance.

According to senior author Kristi D. Graves, Ph.D., from Georgetown University, the success of the trial was largely due to effective collaboration with community organizations, which facilitated recruitment and retention. The findings suggest that culturally tailored interventions hold promise in supporting Latina breast cancer survivors and their caregivers, though further research is necessary to confirm and expand upon these results.

This study highlights the importance of culturally sensitive healthcare approaches and emphasizes the potential of community-based programs to enhance the well-being of minority cancer populations.

Source: MedicalXpress