A Short Review of Psychological Distress in Breast Cancer Survivorship and a Role for Social Media Technology (Twitter)

Lindsay, G. M.^1*, Tayyib, N. A.¹, Lamiaa, A. A.^1,2, Grobbelaar, L.³, Saub, C. R.³ & Alsolami, F. J.¹

¹College of Nursing, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia
²Ain Shams University, Faculty of Nursing, Egypt
³Al Hada Armed Forces Hospital, Taif Region, Saudi Arabia

Dr. Lindsay, G. M., College of Nursing, Umm Al-Qura University, Makkah, Saudi Arabia.

Keywords: Cancer; Psychological Stress; Health

Abstract

Meta analyses of research studies have found that ongoing psychological stress following diagnosis and treatment has adverse outcomes for patients with breast cancer. Psychological interventions, in particular social support networks, have been shown to have significant short term benefits in the management of stress, anxiety and depression. New technologies in the form of social media platforms have a role to play in nurturing social networks/communities in individuals sharing similar health challenges. This paper focuses on Twitter because of its reported frequent use as a vehicle for communication in the general population and for those with healthcare issues.

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