The Shady Pink Elephant: End of Life Education for Young Women Affected by Breast Cancer

Jean Rowe,Tara Schapmire

doi:10.1007/s13187-018-1446-1

Jean Rowe, Tara Schapmire

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-018-1446-1

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Abstract

In an effort to improve participation of younger breast cancer survivors in end of life (EOL) discussions and planning, this study evaluated the impact of The Shady Pink Elephant EOL educational series on participants’ knowledge, attitudes and behaviors towards palliative care and EOL wishes. Data was gathered at baseline (pre survey and registration) following each event (post survey) and 6 months after the series as intervention (post survey). A total of 36 women with breast cancer, averaging 40 years of age, participated in the first online event, 24 in the second and 22 in the third. A total of 20 completed the 6-month post survey. Significant improvement in scores occurred from baseline to 6 months for the following items: belief that palliative care is only for those at the EOL, belief that EOL discussions are only important for those at the EOL, comfort with talking about EOL issues, confidence that EOL wishes will be honored by one’s health care power of attorney and knowledge of characteristics are important in the person assigned as a person’s health care power of attorney. The Shady Pink Elephant EOL educational series is therefore a promising intervention for improving EOL knowledge, attitudes and behavior. Further research with larger sample sizes is needed regarding understanding and accessing palliative care and deciding upon and communicating EOL wishes in this patient population.

Highlights

Introduction and BackgroundIn the USA, breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in young women ages 15 to [1]
Women under age 40 account for 7% of breast cancer diagnoses in the USA [2] with over 11,000 cases of breast cancer expected in women under age 40 in 2018 [3]
Studies have reported on suggested interventions for improving End of Life (EOL) knowledge, but the majority of these samples are comprised of older adults [6,7,8,9,10]

Summary

Introduction

Introduction and BackgroundIn the USA, breast cancer is the most common malignant tumor in young women ages 15 to [1]. According to the Institute of Medicine, people who participate in palliative or hospice care might live longer than those who do not [11]; referrals to palliative care which can result in advance care planning and EOL discussions are slow to happen. Patients state they would like EOL care that alleviates pain and suffering, but the reality is that they often receive acute care from physicians who may not be as familiar with them [11].

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