# Infographics on signs and symptoms of metastatic (secondary) breast cancer can empower women with a breast cancer diagnosis

## TL;DR

This study shows that infographics about metastatic breast cancer symptoms help women understand and cope with the disease better.

## Contribution

The novelty lies in demonstrating how infographics can empower women with breast cancer through tailored communication.

## Key findings

- Infographics were perceived as useful for educating women about metastatic breast cancer symptoms.
- The use of infographics was associated with reduced fears and uncertainties about the disease.
- Individual differences in anxiety and emotion regulation strategies influenced the effectiveness of the infographics.

## Abstract

We investigated the usefulness of a metastatic (secondary) breast cancer Infographics designed to enhance knowledge about symptoms of metastatic breast cancer in women diagnosed with breast cancer. Women with a primary or metastatic diagnosis of breast cancer who had not been in receipt of the Infographics previously, were sent the Infographics and asked to complete a questionnaire measuring their views of the usefulness of the Infographics in a number of domains. They were also asked to complete questionnaires on, anxiety and depression, coping, emotion regulation strategies and perceived cognitive functioning. Results showed that women advocated the use of the Infographics in medical and health care settings, as well as its ability in equipping themwith the relevant knowledge on signs of recurrence, its benefits in empowering control and reducing fears and uncertainties regarding metastatic breast cancer. Exploratory analysis showed that individual differences in trait vulnerability to anxiety and in emotion regulation strategies modulated women’s responses suggesting the use of tailored approaches in the communication of the Infographics with patients. Our results point to the overall benefits of the Infographics in a number of domains. Implications for applications in healthcare settings are discussed.