Breast cancer treatment and recovery: pets' roles as emotional buffers and stressors.

ABSTRACT:

Background

Research suggests pets foster affection, connection, and physical activity, yet has failed to address the challenges people diagnosed with cancer face in caring for their pets. The objective of this study was to better understand how pets serve as emotional buffers and/or stressors for people diagnosed with breast cancer, and how their ability to meet their pet's needs affects their well-being.

Methods

A cross-section study of people diagnosed with breast cancer in the United States was conducted. Adults diagnosed with stages 0 (in situ) -IV breast cancer and currently the primary guardian of at least one dog or cat and owned the animal(s) for at least 6 months, were recruited for the study. A total of 211 responses, obtained between July - November 2022 were anal

SUBMITTER: Kogan LR 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC10583337 | biostudies-literature | 2023 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature