Sisters Peer Counseling in Reproductive Issues After Treatment (SPIRIT): A Peer Counseling Program to Improve Reproductive Health Among African American Breast Cancer Survivors

• Published in: Cancer 2011-11, Vol.117 (21), p.4983-4992
• Main Authors: SCHOVER, Leslie R, RHODES, Michelle M, BAUM, George, HARNED ADAMS, Jennifer, JENKINS, Rosell, LEWIS, Pamela, JACKSON, Karen Eubanks
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Subjects: Adult; African Americans - psychology; Aftercare; Biological and medical sciences; Breast Neoplasms - psychology; Counseling; Female; Gynecology. Andrology. Obstetrics; Humans; Mammary gland diseases; Medical sciences; Menopause; Middle Aged; Peer Group; Reproductive Health; Self-Help Groups; Sexuality; Surveys and Questionnaires; Survivors; Tumors
• ISSN: 0008-543X; 1097-0142
• DOI: 10.1002/cncr.26139

African American breast cancer survivors may be at high risk for reproductive health problems, including menopause symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and distress about cancer-related infertility. The authors partnered with Sisters Network Inc. to create the Sisters Peer Counseling in Reproductive Issues After Treatment (SPIRIT) program, a culturally sensitive intervention program that combined a written workbook and peer counseling. Three hundred women were randomized to receive either the workbook plus 3 in-person sessions with a trained peer counselor or the workbook plus ≤ 30 minutes of telephone counseling to be initiated by the participant. Questionnaires at baseline, post-treatment, and at 6-month and 12-month follow-up assessed emotional distress, sexual function, relationship satisfaction, spirituality, menopause symptoms, and knowledge. Satisfaction with the program and the use of medical care also were assessed. Both groups of women improved significantly in knowledge, decreased in distress, and had decreased hot flashes. Sexually active women had improved sexual function at 6-month follow-up but not at 1 year. However, peer counseling had little incremental benefit over the telephone counseling. The SPIRIT program was rated very useful by 66% of women. Outcomes justify continued use of the workbook and further research to optimize the impact of peer counseling.