A Qualitative Description of a Family Intervention for Breast Cancer Survivors Experiencing Fatigue.

Breast cancer survivors commonly experience fatigue, but family-focused interventions as a means to reduce fatigue are understudied. This qualitative study explored the experience of adding a family component to a multimodal group intervention for fatigue. Data were collected from group observations, in-depth interviews, and debriefing sessions with the program social worker. Fourteen survivors completed the family intervention (mean age 57years) with a family member or close friend. Four themes associated with the family intervention were identified: (a) importance of family inclusion, (b) education of family members about fatigue, (c) enhanced family communication, and (d) family partnership to combat fatigue.