Peer mentoring
SAID, BREAST CANCER
Most participants reported positive experiences working with a peer mentor who had “been in the same shoes” and could “understand the different levels of frustration…when you’re coming out of treatment.” One woman shared: “At least for me, survivorship has been in some ways harder than active treatment. I think a lot of it is just mentally wanting to get back to where you were before…but having the peer mentor was great, because it was relatable, and she had a really good attitude as far as being able to motivate, but also having empathy.” Many participants sought deeper relationships with their mentors. One woman elaborated: “When I was talking with my mentor, I feel like it would have been nice to have known her story… just so we can relate a little bit more… There aren’t many young people that you come in contact with that have breast cancer, so to actually be chatting with somebody, just to have that connection.”Participants appreciated the convenience of scheduling virtual mentoring sessions and felt that video calls helped them feel more connected than talking on the phone, because they could make eye contact and see facial expressions. Many participants felt accountable to their mentors; knowing their mentor could see their Fitbit activity increased their motivation to stay on-track. Most women felt the number and frequency of mentoring sessions worked well; some wanted to meet more often, while others sensed they wouldn’t have time for additional sessions. Women also had varying preferences for communication with their mentor (e.g., Fitbit message, text, email). Participants valued clear and consistent preparation, communication, and follow-through from their mentors, whom many described as “professional,” “prepared”, and “organized”. Yet not all women felt this way. A few were “frustrated” or “irritated” by logistical or scheduling challenges, such as when their mentor missed or was late to a session. Participants who reported frequent communication with their mentor between sessions liked it; those who said they didn’t receive much contact between sessions wanted more interaction.