Family Intervention Based on the FOCUS Program Effects on Cancer Coping in Iranian Breast Cancer Patients: A Randomized Control Trial

Background: Breast cancer affects patients’ lives. Many breast cancer patients have problems with coping andthey need support from their families. Family involvement based on the FOCUS program is designed to support breastcancer survivors within their families. The aim of this study was to investigate the effect of family involvement basedon the FOCUS program on coping in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in academic centers in Urmiain 2016. Methods: In this randomized controlled trial study, sixty breast cancer survivors were randomly assignedinto intervention (N=30) and control (N=30) groups. The FOCUS program family-based intervention featured sixsessions covering subject areas of family involvement, optimism, cancer coping, uncertainty reduction and symptommanagement. The instruments used were demographic and cancer coping questionnaires. Data were analyzed withSPSS 20 software. Result: The findings revealed a significant improvement in total cancer coping scores (t= -12/39,p<0.001), in all subscales including individual (t= -11/52, p<0.001), positive focus (t= -7/03, p<0.001), coping (t=-7/28, p<0.001), diversion (t= -11/76, p<0.001), planning (t=-4/91, p<0.001) and in interpersonal (t=-11/14, p<0.001).No significant changes were observed for the control group. Conclusion: The results showed that family involvementbased on the FOCUS program increases the ability to cope in breast cancer survivors.