The Red and Black

Issue date: 9/4/08 Section: News

BURWELL

Each year more than 211,000 American women are diagnosed with breast cancer, the National Cancer Institute reports.

That is why Stephanie Burwell, assistant professor of child and family development, has devoted six years to studying the impact of breast cancer on couples and family relationships. Her research focuses on quality of life for younger women affected by breast cancer.

"I've looked at sexual function in younger women because treatments like chemotherapy and radiation can damage ovaries," Burwell said. "I've also looked at the coping strategies that young women use."

Research participants include women as young as 23 from across the country and two internationally. Due to her difficulty finding women in Athens, she decided to use an online sample for her research.

Women are increasingly turning to the Internet to find information about treatment options and coping strategies, Burwell said, so she placed her links on sites carrying that information.

She said this type of research might be easier for most women because they are often balancing careers, relationships and children.

"With all these demands it may be more difficult for them to participate. Maybe online participation is better for them," she said.

During the summer, Jennifer Gonyea, lecturer of child and family development, was diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

"I think (Burwell's research) is wonderful because more and more young women are being diagnosed with breast cancer. It is incredibly important for women who have not had families yet or have not finished having children," she said.

Burwell said she hopes to begin studying breast cancer in African American women this year with funding from the National Cancer Institute.

"Most of the samples in literature are focused on white, middle-class women who are married with children. It's harder to study and find African American women, for whatever reason," she said.

Her interest in studying African American women stems from young deaths due to late screening, she said. Tumors are also normally more aggressive, making the mortality rate higher, she said.

The director of the McPhaul Family Therapy Clinic, Burwell encourages students to visit the clinic if struggling with effects of a parent or friend with cancer. The clinic offers low price counseling sessions for students, with the initial visit at $25 and each subsequent visit at $15.

The 50-minute sessions are not strictly for those dealing with cancer-related problems. Doctoral students working on their degree in marriage and family therapy see students with problems ranging from intimate partner violence to eating disorders and even difficulty adjusting to college.

Burwell said she hopes students will take advantage of the services on campus, especially those having trouble dealing with cancer personally or through a family member.

"I would like to be able to help women and their families adjust to breast cancer, get the support services that they need, catch disease earlier and maintain good surveillance of their cancer so that they live longer and happier lives," she said.

Page 1 of 1

Article Tools