To investigate and analyze the status quo of cancer communication in breast cancer patients′ families, so as to provide reference for targeted solutions to the communication problems of breast cancer patients' spouses.

This was a cross-sectional study. From April to November 2022, 204 pairs of breast cancer patients and their spouses in Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical College were taken as the research objects, and the basic information questionnaire, Family Avoidance of Communication about Cancer Scale (FACCS) and Female Self-Advocacyin Cancer Survivorship (FSACS) were used to investigate patients. The patient's spouse was investigated with Zarit Caregiyer Burden Interview (ZBI), and the survey data were statistically analyzed with hierarchical regression analysis.

The family cancer communication score of breast cancer patients was (65.30 ± 7.63) points. Hierarchical regression analysis showed that the patient′s Per capita monthly household income, tumor stage, family history of malignant tumor, and patient′s self advocacy level were the influencing factors of family cancer communication, which could explain 39.1% of family cancer communication variation (F=22.36, P<0.05). From the aspect of patients′ spouses, the influence of spouse care burden could explain 14.2% of patients′ family cancer communication variation (F=16.39, P<0.05).

Breast cancer patients have poor family cancer communication. There are differences in the degree of family cancer communication among breast cancer patients with different characteristics. Patients with lower self-advocacy score, no previous family history of malignant tumor, higher spouse care burden, lower Per capita monthly household income and higher tumor stage have worse family cancer communication.

Breast neoplasms; Factor analysis, statistical; Family cancer communication; Self advocacy; Spouse care burden