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Social networks and survival after breast cancer diagnosis

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Abstract

Introduction

Evidence has been inconsistent regarding the impact of social networks on survival after breast cancer diagnosis. We prospectively examined the relation between components of social integration and survival in a large cohort of breast cancer survivors.

Methods

Women (N = 4,589) diagnosed with invasive breast cancer were recruited from a population-based, multi-center, case-control study. A median of 5.6 years (Interquartile Range 2.7–8.7) after breast cancer diagnosis, women completed a questionnaire on recent post-diagnosis social networks and other lifestyle factors. Social networks were measured using components of the Berkman-Syme Social Networks Index to create a measure of social connectedness. Based on a search of the National Death Index, 552 deaths (146 related to breast cancer) were identified. Adjusted hazard ratios (HR) and 95% confidence intervals (CI) were estimated using Cox proportional hazards regression.

Results

Higher scores on a composite measure of social connectedness as determined by the frequency of contacts with family and friends, attendance of religious services, and participation in community activities was associated with a 15–28% reduced risk of death from any cause (p-trend = 0.02). Inverse trends were observed between all-cause mortality and frequency of attendance at religious services (p-trend = 0.0001) and hours per week engaged in community activities (p-trend = 0.0005). No material associations were identified between social networks and breast cancer-specific mortality.

Conclusions

Engagement in activities outside the home was associated with lower overall mortality after breast cancer diagnosis.

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Acknowledgements

This work was supported by The Susan B. Komen For the Cure Foundation (POP 0504234) and NIH grants CA47147 and CA47305.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., M3-A410, Seattle, WA, 98109-1024, USA

    Jeannette M. Beasley

  2. Cancer Prevention Program, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, 1100 Fairview Ave. N., M4-B402, Seattle, WA, 98109-1024, USA

    Polly A. Newcomb & Rachel M. Ceballos

  3. University of Wisconsin Paul P. Carbone Comprehensive Cancer Center, Madison, WI, USA

    Polly A. Newcomb, Amy Trentham-Dietz & John M. Hampton

  4. Dartmouth Medical School, Lebanon, NH, USA

    Linda Titus-Ernstoff

  5. H. Lee Moffitt Cancer Center & Research Institute, Tampa, FL, USA

    Kathleen M. Egan

  6. Channing Laboratory, Harvard Medical School, Brigham & Women’s Hospital, Boston, MA, USA

    Michelle D. Holmes

Authors
  1. Jeannette M. Beasley
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  2. Polly A. Newcomb
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  3. Amy Trentham-Dietz
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  4. John M. Hampton
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  6. Linda Titus-Ernstoff
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  7. Kathleen M. Egan
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Correspondence to Polly A. Newcomb.

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Beasley, J.M., Newcomb, P.A., Trentham-Dietz, A. et al. Social networks and survival after breast cancer diagnosis. J Cancer Surviv 4, 372–380 (2010). https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-010-0139-5

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-010-0139-5

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