UCF Nursing Graduate’s Project Helps Improve Mental Health in Breast Cancer Survivors

After battling breast cancer, many survivors often face a new battle: anxiety.

For her doctoral scholarly project, UCF nursing student Kaitlyn Hall '18 created and piloted a nurse-led educational intervention at the Breast Cancer Survivorship Clinic at the Orlando Health Cancer Institute to help address mental healthcare for breast cancer survivors.

For Hall, the project was a personal one. Her older sister is a breast cancer survivor, and experienced anxiety after her cancer was in remission.

"Her experience underscored, to me, a critical need for comprehensive mental healthcare in cancer survivors," Hall says.

Her sister is not alone. The National Breast Cancer Foundation states there are more than 4 million breast cancer survivors in the U.S., and it is estimated one in three breast cancer survivors experience anxiety, according to the Asian Pacific Journal of Care.

Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women worldwide. Thanks to advances in screening, education and treatment, the survival rate has dramatically increased in recent years and therefore, the number of breast cancer survivors is rising.

"It was important to recognize this issue and guarantee breast cancer patients are provided with comprehensive care throughout their treatment and survivorship," Hall says.

Holistic Approach to Anxiety

For Hall's project, breast cancer survivors at the clinic were screened for anxiety using a standardized generalized anxiety disorder questionnaire, called GAD-7. Survivors whose scores indicated the presence of mild to severe anxiety received an educational booklet focused on cognitive behavior therapy.

"A lot of people think that medication is the go-to when it comes to mental health, but not everyone wants to take medication and for patients, medication can only take them so far," Hall says. "Cognitive behavioral techniques are things a patient can use that isn't medication; these can be done at home, without having to go to a doctor."

Hall designed the booklet, which included information on mindfulness meditation, breathing techniques, visual imagery, and exposure therapy as well as QR codes to easily access resources.

A majority of the patients showed a statistically significant decrease in anxiety in follow up GAD-7 screenings one month after receiving the booklet. Feedback from patients who received the booklet was also positive.

"This project exceeded my expectations," says Associate Lecturer Jonathan Decker, Hall's project committee chair. "When you have anxiety, it can be frustrating and you want tools right then, right now. Being able to give patients that was huge, and I'm excited about where the next steps of this project could lead."

Hall's project is the first study to examine the use of cognitive behavioral therapy in patients in a breast cancer survivorship program.

"This study shows that by focusing on the antecedent symptoms of anxiety using the GAD-7 screening tool and providing cognitive behavioral therapy education, healthcare professionals can prevent the progression of anxiety symptoms," said Hall.

A Career Focused on Impacting Lives

After graduating this week with her Doctor of Nursing Practice degree from UCF, Hall will prepare to take the family nurse practitioner board certification exam and plans to continue her research.

"I believe that women's health is a critical area that deserves more attention and exploration," Hall says.

In addition to inspiring her research, her older sister inspired Hall's career choice in nursing as well as her mother. Both are nurses.

"Growing up, I witnessed firsthand the profound impact they had on their patients' lives and the fulfillment they achieved from helping others. This resonated with me," she says.

Orlando Health Cancer Institute (Photo courtesy of Orlando Health)

As a registered nurse, Hall focused her career in the intensive care unit. For the last six years, she has worked at Orlando Health and most recently on the peri-anesthesia care unit.

"Nursing offers a unique opportunity for constant learning and growth," she says of her decision to return to UCF to advance her nursing career.

"The need to continuously expand my knowledge and apply my expertise to provide the best possible care for patients is both challenging and rewarding."

"There is still much to learn and address in women's health, and I am passionate about contributing to a deeper understanding and better outcomes for women."

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