• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.217-228
• /
• 2001

Cancer survivor's self-help group may promote psychosocial adjustment in cancer patients. Self-transcendence has been shown to be related with crisis and adjustment in women with breast cancer. The purpose of this study is to determine the effectiveness of self-transcendence promoting program to facilitate self-transcendence, physical, and emotional well-being in women with breast cancer. Thirty patients who received mastectomy were recruited, but 9 subjects of experimental group and 14 subjects of control group participated in this study. Subjects of experimental group attended the self-help group for self-transcendence once a week for 6 weeks. Each session of program was proceeded for 2hours and the program contained activities for promoting self-transcendence, stress management, communication skill, exercise and relaxation, symptom management, and family support. Data were collected by self-reporting questionnaires within seven days after mastectomy and after the program was finished in experimental group, within 7 days after mastectomy and after 3 months in control group. Self-transcendence was assessed using the self-transcendence scale (STS) developed by Reed. Physical well being was assessed using Symptom distress scale (SDS) developed by McCorkle and Young and emotional well being was assessed using Profile of mood states (POMS). As a result, no significant differences were found between both groups in changes of self-transcendence, emotional well-being, and physical well-being. Self-transcendence score was significantly decreased in control group (p =0.16). But that of experimental group showed no decrease. In conclusions, when the self-transcendence promoting program is provided to the patients with breast cancer, it can be helpful for promoting self- transcendence. For the further study, repeated research with appropriate sample size and more intensive nursing intervention to promote self-transcendence is suggested. And reassessment after 6 months is recommended for testing long term effects of the program.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.1 no.2
• /
• pp.180-190
• /
• 2001

The purpose of this study is to compare the sexual behaviors of breast cancer survivors (BCS) with women without breast cancer (WWBC) and provide basic data to develop education program for patients before surgery. The study sample included 215 subjects: 140 women without breast cancer and 75 women diagnosed at least six months previously with breast cancer. Data were collected using the Wilmoth's Sexual behaviors Questionnaire-F that consisted of 50 items measuring sexually: communication, sexual techniques, sexual responses, body scare, self-touch, relationship quality, and masturbation. All items were scored on a 6-Likert scale with high scores reflecting high levels of the specific sexual behaviors. The reliability of this instrument was .91(Cronbach‘s alpha). Data were collected during the period from September 1 to September 30, 2001. The collected data were analyzed using t-test, Chi-square, ANCOVA with SPSSwin program. The scores of a sample of WWBC were compared to those of BCS and the scores of BCS were compared by type of surgery and period since surgery. The results were as follows: 1. No differences in sexual behaviors were found between BCS and WWBC, but, differences were found in communication, sexual technique, and relationship quality depending on the period since surgery. 2. Mean Score of BCS' communication in sexual behaviors was significantly lower than that of the WWBC. 3. Sexual behaviors scores of BCS with Menopause, lumpectomy, long duration since surgery showed significantly higher than that of the others. In conclusions, BCS returned to the normal sexual behaviors according to period since surgery. The program of the sexual counseling for patients before surgery should consider this result in the future.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.5 no.1
• /
• pp.22-30
• /
• 2005

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate the differences in emotional response and coping pattern by age among cancer patients. Method: As descriptive research, from November 2000 to April 2001, data was collected with semi-structured questionnaire to 90 adult cancer patients, and analyzed using quantitative analysis. Result: Most emotional response at the time of diagnosis of cancer is despair in 20-39years & more than 60 years, and Impact in 40-59years. In emotional response during treatment by age, there were most much hope in 20-39 years, fear in 40-59years, and acceptance in more than 60years. In difficulties by age during treatment, there were most much mental burden in 20-29years, problems about occupation/finance in 40-59years, and physical discomfort related to treatment in more than 60 years. Resolution of difficulties of treatment shows avoidance in 20-39years, active participation in 40-59years and compliance in more than 60 years. Coping pattern during treatment was positive thinking in 20-39years, refreshment in 40-59years, and despair/avoidance in more than 60 years. Coping with treatment & progress shows in 20-39years maintenance of current health, 40-59years impossible to recover, more than 60year health recovery. Conclusion: Nursing could be considered emotional response and coping pattern according to age.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.135-142
• /
• 2004

Purpose: To examine informational needs of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: A cross-sectional survey design was utilized. The sample was 198 cancer patients receiving chemotherapy for a diagnosis of stomach or lung cancer at a university hospital. A modified version of Toronto Informational Needs Questionnaire was applied. Results: Subjects reported highest informational needs in prognosis dimension, followed by the treatment dimension including side effects and alternative therapy. Information about medical tests and follow-up care after the treatment was also in great need. Dimensions of support for patients/family and sexuality were low in need. The degree of informational needs was negatively correlated with patient's age and number of children. Differences were found in informational needs according to the educational level employment status, and gender of the patients, while diagnosis and treatment options did not make differences in informational needs. Conclusion: Health care professionals need to perceive informational needs of cancer patients receiving chemotherapy, and to provide them with information especially in the area of prognosis and treatment. Informational intervention would be effective when it is given with consideration of patient's characteristics.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.4 no.2
• /
• pp.143-153
• /
• 2004

Death of spouse is the most heartbreaking stressful and inevitable tragic life event. In middle aged men who belong to the social middle class and accomplished their occupational success, experiences of spousal bereavement are great shock. The aim of this study was to find out how they overcome their mental and physical pain and to obtain the basic materials to develop suitable nursing care programs for them. The methodological approach of this study is Giorgi's phenomenological analysis meaning unit. This method also makes theme focal meaning, situated structural description and create general structural description grasped by participator's experience through situated structure description. This study performed from November 2002 to May 2004, and participators were four men. Data collected through in-depth personal interviews. which had been tapped and analysed the Giorgi's method. Finally, the five focal meaning below have been abstracted. Theme 1. Physical symptom loss of appetite, fatigue, insomnia. outbreak of illness, weight loss. Theme 2. life of spiritless lack of desire, sense of emptiness, unstableness, prosaic life. wandering. indifference of appearances, avoidance of meeting people. Theme 3. life of retrospction reflection for his wife, yearning, grief, muttering to himself, never-to-be forgotten wife, leading a lonely life. Theme 4. negative emotion reproaching, feeling hurt, marriage of daughter, feeling heavy, getting angry, sexual desire, awareness of his sinfulness. loneliness Theme 5. social support and adjustment getting his wife off his mind, curring favor with children, support and consolation by his daughter-in-law, appreciation for hospice nurse, considering remarriage, taking care of himself, good relation with his children. The result of this study showed that middle aged men bereaved of their wife by cancer need other's concern. And we have to study further to understand their experience. Until now hospice nursing is concentrated on cancer patients But from now we have to provide their families suitable nursing care programs to adjust themselves to social life before and after death of patients.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.175-185
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This micro-ethnographic study aimed to understand coping experiences of Korean-American (K-A) women after diagnosis with breast cancer due to a hereditary gene mutation. Methods: Participatory observation and in-depth interviews were performed at one breast cancer screening center in Southern California, in 2005 with eleven first generation K-A immigrant women. All transcribed interviews and field notes were analyzed using ethnographic methodology. Results: K-A women's experience varied based on acculturation risk factors including: limited English speaking ability; disrupted family relationships, individualistic family values, or intergenerational communication barriers; lack of Korean speaking nurses; and Korean physicians' who lacked knowledge about hereditary breast cancer risk. These risk factors led to isolation, loneliness, lack of emotional and social support. In comparison to Korean homeland women in a similar medical situation, these K-A immigrants felt disconnected from the healthcare system, family support and social resources which increased their struggling and impeded coping during their survivorship journey. These women were not able to access self-support groups, nor the valuable resources of nurse navigator programs. Conclusion: Professional oncology associations for nurses and physicians have a moral obligation to support and promote knowledge of hereditary cancer risk and self-help groups for non-native speaking immigrants.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.2
• /
• pp.166-174
• /
• 2012

Purpose: Even though the incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) has increased in Korea, the colorectal cancer screening (CRCS) is lower than that of other cancer screenings. The purpose of this study was to identify CRCS rate and to predict factors in blue-color workers. Methods: A descriptive survey design was employed. Data were collected with 327 workers, recruited from 32 companies, aged 40 and over using questionnaire from August 2010 to January 2011. Collected information included CRCS, demographic characteristics, job characteristics, health behaviors, and interpersonal relationship. The definition of CRCS included fecal occult blood test (FOBT), colonoscopy, or double contrast barium enema (DCBE). Results: Among 94 workers receiving CRCS, workers having FOBT were 37, colonoscopy were 28, and DCBE was 6 in the past. Workers who aged over 50 (OR=2.30, 95% CI=1.11-4.77), middle school educated (OR=0.30, 95% CI=0.14-0.65), less working hours (OR=0.98, 95% CI=0.96- 0.99), and had family members who carried out regular cancer screening (OR=1.89, 95% CI=1.01-3.55) were more likely to perform CRCS. Conclusion: The findings suggest that the information and notice about CRCS to increase screening uptake, providing the accessible screening method, and involving company administrators or health managers might be useful to increase the CRCS rate in workers.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.12 no.4
• /
• pp.305-313
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This study was done to clarify the effects of foot reflexology on peripheral neuropathy, symptom distress, anxiety and depression in cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin. Methods: A quasi-experimental design was employed. Changes in the variables were evaluated to test the effects of foot reflexology. Participants were cancer patients treated with oxaliplatin (experimental group 14 and control group 17). Peripheral neuropathy, symptom distress, anxiety and depression were measured before and after reflexology. Data were collected from October, 2010 to April, 2011. ${\chi}^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, t-test, Wilcoxon signed rank test and the Mann-Whitney U test were used to analyze the data. Results: The experimental group who received foot reflexology experienced less peripheral neuropathy and symptom distress than the control group. There was no difference in anxiety and depression between the experimental and control group. Conclusion: The foot reflexology program adopted in this study was found to be an effective method to reduce peripheral neuropathy and symptom distress. We recommend foot reflexology for patients with chemotherapy induced peripheral neuropathy.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.104-113
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The aim of this study was to investigate pain management knowledge and attitude in cancer patients and their family caregivers. Methods: The subjects were 52 hospitalized cancer patients and 52 their family caregivers in a hematooncologic unit in one general hospital. Data were collected via self-reported questionnaires and interviews in 2008. Results: 46.2% of the patient participants reported pain and 50% of them were taking opioid analgesics. Levels of knowledge about cancer pain and its management in both patient and caregiver participants were low, whereas, the scores of knowledge of the caregivers were significantly higher than that of the patients. The attitudes toward cancer pain were not significantly different between patients and caregivers. Both cancer patients and caregivers had some misconcepts in using opioid analgesics and about cancer pain. Patients' and caregivers' level of knowledge about cancer pain and its mangement demonstrated positive correlation. Conclusion: Education about cancer pain and its management should target both cancer patients and their family caregivers. Also the education should focus on intervening the misconceptions that patients and their caregivers have regarding cancer pain and its management.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• v.9 no.2
• /
• pp.155-162
• /
• 2009

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the of laughter therapy on depression, anxiety, and stress among patients underwent radiotherapy. Methods: Participants in the study were comprised of 60 breast cancer outpatients who received radiotherapy. Thirty-one of the patients were assigned in the experimental group and the other 29 patients made up the control group. Laughter therapy was consisted of the delivery of information and active motion resulting in laughter. We provided laughter therapy 4 times for 2 weeks. Each session lasted 60 min. The experimental group received laughter therapy intervention as a group. An average attendance frequency per person was 2.7. To evaluate the effect of laughter therapy, the degrees of depression and anxiety were measured by Hospital Anxiety and Depression (HAD) and stress was measured by the Brief Encounter Psychosocial Instrument (BEPSI). Data analysis included a 2-test, t-test, and Fisher's exact test using SPSS 12.0 and SAS 8.0. Results: There was significant decrease in the degrees of depression, anxiety, and stress in the experimental group compared to those in the control group (p<.01, p=.04, and p<.01, respectively). Conclusion: This study provides evidence that laughter therapy is an effective intervention in improving depression, anxiety, and stress in breast cancer patients.