OBJECTIVE

To explore how African-American youth cope with the diagnosis and treatment of parental breast cancer, and to identify culturally sensitive ways to recruit and sustain participation of this vulnerable population in intervention programs.

METHODS

Three qualitative focus groups which were part of a larger study were conducted with 12 African-American youth between the ages of 11 and 18, currently coping with parental breast cancer from the Northeastern part of the United States. Interviews were audio-taped and transcribed verbatim, and analyzed using content analysis.

RESULTS

African-American youth described fear and uncertainty about the mortality of their parent, their unpredictable future, and discomfort in negotiating breast cancer's relationship with the entire family. Four primary themes emerged which were coping with cancer, it affects us too, changes in family functioning, and growth through pain. African-American youth described feeling overlooked by their families and oncology staff treating their parents, often being in the role of protecting their parents physically and emotionally.

CONCLUSIONS

This study suggests that clinicians can improve the care of African-American breast cancer patients and their adolescent children by being more family-centered. Adolescents need more developmentally appropriate preparation for the family changes likely to occur when a parent is diagnosed and treated for breast cancer. Developing a support group comprised of other youth coping with parental breast cancer from diagnosis throughout treatment was described as a preferred intervention to promote a shared understanding in order to overcome feelings of isolation, worry, and fear.