Reducing Distress and Depressive-symptoms in Rural Women

Approximately 30% of U.S. breast cancer survivors experience significant cancer-related distress ranging from adjustment disorders, depression-symptoms and major depression up to 20 years after diagnosis. For rural cancer survivors, lack of access to care, support and stigma associated with cancer and mental health, challenge rural women's ability to prevent cancer-related distress and its deleterious outcomes. However, these barriers may be overcome by a new Internet-based psychoeducational program designed for newly diagnosed women; CaringGuidance™- After Breast Cancer Diagnosis. This self-guided program provides information, cognitive-behavioral and supportive coping strategies in a text/audio/visual format accessed via Internet/mobile devices to increase understanding and provide supportive tools to prevent/manage distress and depressive-symptoms. This pilot study will determine preliminary efficacy of the CaringGuidance™ program on distress and depressive-symptoms monthly and over 3 months, for rural women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.