Psychosocial Adjustment of Breast Cancer Patients Post-Treatment Therapy and Mentoring. (Case Study of 4 Breast Cancer Patients in Sapkandara Community Medan)

https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v1i3.3479
Published: Sep 24, 2025

Abstract:

Purpose: To determine the impact of therapy, psychosocial adjustments, and assistance received by breast cancer patients in the Sapkandara Movement community in Medan.

Research Methodology: This type of research is qualitative with a case study approach to 4 breast cancer patients who are members of the Sapkandara

Results: The results showed that patients with breast cancer experienced significant physical and psychological changes after therapy, including fatigue, hair loss, stress, and emotional instability. Socially, patients tend to withdraw from their environment. Psychosocial adjustment is influenced by patients' knowledge of the disease and family support. There are three types of assistance: existential, functional, and professional; however, only existential support from the family is effective. The Sapkandara Community provides comprehensive support, including information, hospital assistance, and moral and emotional support.

Conclusions: Holistic support is crucial for patients with breast cancer, integrating family, social workers, and health professionals. The Sapkandara community plays a vital role in empowering patients and supporting psychosocial adjustment.

Limitations: This study was limited the scope of research to patients with breast cancer who were undergoing treatment, support therapy, and were members of the Sapkandara.

Contribution: This study contributes to social welfare knowledge by emphasizing the role of community-based support and social work in health settings. This study provides practical insights for policymakers, health institutions, and NGOs to strengthen psychosocial services for cancer patients.

Keywords:
1. Breast Cancer
2. Community-Based Care
3. Mentoring
4. Psychosocial Adjustment
5. Social Support
Authors:
1 . Melicha Athalia Pelawi
Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
2 . Erni Asneli Asbi
Universitas Sumatera Utara, Medan, Indonesia
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How to Cite
Pelawi, M. A. ., & Asbi, E. A. . (2025). Psychosocial Adjustment of Breast Cancer Patients Post-Treatment Therapy and Mentoring. (Case Study of 4 Breast Cancer Patients in Sapkandara Community Medan). Global Academy of Multidisciplinary Studies, 1(3), 157–166. https://doi.org/10.35912/gams.v1i3.3479
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Vol. 1 No. 3 (2025): February
Articles
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References

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    Davis, B. E., Lakin, L., Binns, C. C., Currie, K. M., & Rensel, M. R. (2021). Patient and Provider Insights into the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis on Mental Health: A Narrative Review. Neurology and Therapy, 10(1), 99-119. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-021-00240-9

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  1. Akram, M., Iqbal, M., Daniyal, M., & Khan, A. U. (2017). Awareness and current knowledge of breast cancer. Biological Research, 50(1), 33. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s40659-017-0140-9
  2. Aleyda, F., & Berliyanti, D. O. (2023). Pengaruh Perceived Organizational Support, Contigency Reward Behaviour terhadap Work Engagement. Jurnal Akuntansi, Keuangan, dan Manajemen, 4(3), 185-194. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jakman.v4i3.1290
  3. Aristizábal, E., & Sánchez, O. (2020). Spatial and temporal patterns and the socioeconomic impacts of landslides in the tropical and mountainous Colombian Andes. Disasters, 44(3), 596-618. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/disa.12391
  4. Callister, C., Lockhart, S., Holtrop, J. S., Hoover, K., & Calcaterra, S. L. (2022). Experiences with an addiction consultation service on care provided to hospitalized patients with opioid use disorder: a qualitative study of hospitalists, nurses, pharmacists, and social workers. Substance abuse, 43(1), 615-622. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/08897077.2021.1975873
  5. Dave, R., Friedman, S., Miller-Sonet, E., Moore, T., Peterson, E., Fawzy Doran, J., . . . Wilson, T. (2024). Identifying and addressing the needs of caregivers of patients with cancer: evidence on interventions and the role of patient advocacy groups. Future Oncology, 20(33), 2589-2602. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/14796694.2024.2387526
  6. Davis, B. E., Lakin, L., Binns, C. C., Currie, K. M., & Rensel, M. R. (2021). Patient and Provider Insights into the Impact of Multiple Sclerosis on Mental Health: A Narrative Review. Neurology and Therapy, 10(1), 99-119. doi:https://doi.org/10.1007/s40120-021-00240-9
  7. Derakhshan, M. K., & Karbassian, M. H. (2017). Psychiatric and Psychosocial Aspects of Breast Cancer Diagnoses and Treatments. In P. Mehdipour (Ed.), Cancer Genetics and Psychotherapy (pp. 45-77). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  8. Dion, D. S. s., Emilisa, N., & Citra, F. L. (2022). Pengaruh Knowledge Hiding, Psychological Distress, Psychological Stress terhadap Job Performance Pegawai RSJ. Studi Ilmu Manajemen dan Organisasi, 3(2), 287-301. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/simo.v3i2.1296
  9. Dushkova, D., & Ivlieva, O. (2024). Empowering communities to act for a change: A review of the community empowerment programs towards sustainability and resilience. Sustainability, 16(19), 8700. doi:https://doi.org/10.3390/su16198700
  10. Dye, C. (2014). After 2015: infectious diseases in a new era of health and development. Philosophical Transactions of the Royal Society B: Biological Sciences, 369(1645), 20130426.
  11. Ghosh, S. K., Sarker, B. K., Saha, S. K., Islam, A., & Shakil, M. (2024). Comparison of depression and anxiety levels among students: An observational study in Dhaka City. Psychohealth: Scientific Journal of Psychology and Mental Health, 1(1), 49-58. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/psychohealth.v1i1.1661
  12. Graham, J. (2024). Breast cancer: The psychological impact of diagnosis, treatment, and remission. cureus, 16(10), 1-11. doi:https://DOI10.7759/cureus.70814
  13. Hernandez, R., Bassett, S. M., Boughton, S. W., Schuette, S. A., Shiu, E. W., & Moskowitz, J. T. (2018). Psychological well-being and physical health: Associations, mechanisms, and future directions. Emotion Review, 10(1), 18-29. doi:https://doi.org/10.1177/1754073917697824
  14. Jepson, A., Clarke, A., & Ragsdell, G. (2014). Investigating the application of the motivation–opportunity–ability model to reveal factors which facilitate or inhibit inclusive engagement within local community festivals. Scandinavian Journal of Hospitality and Tourism, 14(3), 331-348. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/15022250.2014.946230
  15. Jørgensen, L., Garne, J. P., Søgaard, M., & Laursen, B. S. (2015). The experience of distress in relation to surgical treatment and care for breast cancer: An interview study. European Journal of Oncology Nursing, 19(6), 612-618. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2015.03.009
  16. Kurrohman, T., & Nurlita, S. (2024). Factors associated with the achievement of early detection of breast cancer with the SADANIS method. Journal of Multidisciplinary Academic and Practice Studies, 2(1), 95-102. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/jomaps.v2i1.1986
  17. Lahagu, M. J., Manururng, H. R., Sari, F., & Damanik, L. P. U. (2024). The Association of Age and Parity with The Incidence of Ovarian Cancer in Women of Childbearing Age at RSUP H. Adam Malik Medan Year 2023. Journal of Public Health Science, 1(4), 381-387. doi:https://doi.org/10.70248/jophs.v1i4.1980
  18. Lakind, D., Atkins, M., & Eddy, J. M. (2015). Youth mentoring relationships in context: Mentor perceptions of youth, environment, and the mentor role. Children and Youth Services Review, 53, 52-60. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.childyouth.2015.03.007
  19. Lewis, S., Newton, G., Kenny, K., & Boyle, F. (2024). The incurable self: Negotiating social bonds and dis/connection with metastatic breast cancer. Sociology of Health & Illness, 46(2), 295-314. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/1467-9566.13704
  20. Linsky, A., Simon, S. R., & Bokhour, B. (2015). Patient perceptions of proactive medication discontinuation. Patient Education and Counseling, 98(2), 220-225. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.pec.2014.11.010
  21. Lukita, C., Chandra, A. K., Laily Purnamasari, D., Asfi, M., Amroni, A., Hatta, M., . . . Suwandi, S. (2023). Pendampingan dan Pembuatan Kaki Palsu (Prosthesis) Bersama SRC Holland. Yumary: Jurnal Pengabdian kepada Masyarakat, 4(2), 239-251. doi:https://doi.org/10.35912/yumary.v4i2.2619
  22. Mahendradhata, Y., Andayani, N. L. P. E., Hasri, E. T., Arifi, M. D., Siahaan, R. G. M., Solikha, D. A., & Ali, P. B. (2021). The capacity of the Indonesian healthcare system to respond to COVID-19. Frontiers in Public Health, 9, 649819. doi:https://doi.org/10.3389/fpubh.2021.649819
  23. Meyers, C. (2023). Crime and Punishment. In C. Meyers (Ed.), Drug Legalization : A Philosophical Analysis (pp. 181-201). Cham: Springer International Publishing.
  24. Moore, M., Cristofalo, M., Dotolo, D., Torres, N., Lahdya, A., Ho, L., . . . Fouts, S. (2017). When high pressure, system constraints, and a social justice mission collide: A socio-structural analysis of emergency department social work services. Social Science & Medicine, 178, 104-114. doi:https://doi.org/10.1016/j.socscimed.2017.02.014
  25. Noel, L., Chen, Q., Petruzzi, L. J., Phillips, F., Garay, R., Valdez, C., . . . Jones, B. (2022). Interprofessional collaboration between social workers and community health workers to address health and mental health in the United States: A systematised review. Health & social care in the community, 30(6), e6240-e6254. doi:https://doi.org/10.1111/hsc.14061
  26. Raque-Bogdan, T. L., Ratchford, J. L., Garriott, P. O., Borges, N. J., & Duffy, R. D. (2020). Counseling psychologists in medical education in the United States: Career development, professional identity, and training implications. Counselling Psychology Quarterly, 33(2), 218-244. doi:https://doi.org/10.1080/09515070.2018.1511970
  27. Ross, A. M., & de Saxe Zerden, L. (2020). Prevention, health promotion, and social work: Aligning health and human service systems through a workforce for health. American Journal of Public Health, 110(S2), S186-S190. doi:https://doi.org/10.2105/AJPH.2020.305690
  28. Wang, Y., & Wang, J. (2020). Modelling and prediction of global non-communicable diseases. BMC Public Health, 20(1), 822. doi:https://doi.org/10.1186/s12889-020-08890-4