The most novel finding, according to Shaw, was that more frequent users reported having more support from their families. In reviewing the message transcripts, the authors determined that those who are closer with their family and friends perceive they have more to lose from breast cancer, and therefore are more inclined to communicate about those feelings with others.

"What women often wrote about their fears was that breast cancer might cut short their time to enjoy family and be around for important milestones as their children grow older. It appeared that the closer a woman felt to her family or larger social network, the more she feared her potential separation from them as a result of breast cancer," says Shaw.

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Contact: Kelly Gatzke
kgatzke@chsra.wisc.edu
608-265-3278
University of Wisconsin-Madison
18-Jan-2006