Journal of women's health
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2012
A historical perspective on breast cancer activism in the United States: from education and support to partnership in scientific research.
Breast cancer remained a hidden disease among women in the United States until the 20th century. It was initially brought into the open with public revelations from individual women, which was followed by the development of support groups and ultimately the formation of political activist groups with various priorities. Those concerned with toxic environmental exposures as a potential cause of breast cancer organized, demonstrated, and lobbied for research funding and eventually became partners in the research that arose from their efforts. ⋯ The formal integration of advocates as partners in scientific studies focused on breast cancer is embedded in a rich history of action on the part of many courageous women. This article describes the historical evolution of breast cancer activism in the United States, which provided a critical foundation for the formation of BCERC. This description is followed by a discussion of BCERC as an example of the transdisciplinary research model, a paradigm that strives for inclusion of multiple stakeholders and increased interaction between scientists from a wide spectrum of disciplines, advocates, and lay audiences in order to more effectively conduct critical research and to translate and disseminate its findings.
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2012
Depressive symptoms and health-related quality of life in breast cancer survivors.
Breast cancer diagnosis and treatment can have a profound influence on a woman's physical, psychosocial, and overall well-being. We examined the prevalence of depressive symptoms and its association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in women who are survivors of breast cancer. We also assessed if factors, including metastasis, cancer recurrence, diagnosis of new primary cancers, and comorbid conditions, are associated with depressive symptoms. ⋯ Depression is a significant health concern for breast cancer survivors and is associated with lower HRQOL. The results suggest the need to monitor women with breast cancer for depression and provide resources for treating depression during the survival period.
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2012
Randomized Controlled TrialPatient-centered care: the influence of patient and resident physician gender and gender concordance in primary care.
Patient-centered care (PCC) is thought to significantly influence the process of care and its outcomes and has been identified as part of a comprehensive strategy for improving our nation's healthcare delivery system. Patient and physician gender, as well as gender concordance, may influence the provision of PCC. ⋯ These findings highlight the influence of gender in the process of care and provision of PCC. Gender concordance in female patient-female physician dyads demonstrated significantly more PCC. Further research in other clinical settings using other measures of PCC is needed. A public mandate to provide care that is patient-centered has implications for medical education.
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2012
Failed lactation and perinatal depression: common problems with shared neuroendocrine mechanisms?
In the early postpartum period, mother and infant navigate a critical neuroendocrine transition from pregnancy to lactation. Two major clinical problems that occur during this transition are failed lactation and perinatal mood disorders. These disorders often overlap in clinical settings. ⋯ We hypothesize that shared neuroendocrine mechanisms contribute to both failed lactation and perinatal mood disorders. In this hypothesis article, we discuss data from both animal models and clinical studies that suggest neuroendocrine mechanisms that may underlie these two disorders. Research to elucidate the role of these underlying mechanisms may identify treatment strategies both to relieve perinatal depression and to enable women to achieve their infant feeding goals.
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Journal of women's health · Mar 2012
Increasing incidence of gestational diabetes mellitus in Louisiana, 1997-2009.
Gestational diabetes mellitus (GDM) is one of the most common pregnancy complications. Although long-term trends are available at the national level, they are less clear for population subgroups, especially those with middle or low income and also at high risk of obesity. ⋯ The incidence of GDM increased in most years from 1997 to 2009 and reached a peak in 2002 in the women served by Louisiana State University Health Care Services Division hospitals. GDM has become an important public health problem, particularly among women aged 35-39 years.