• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.202-212
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to assess the relationship between cognitive function impairment and quality of life (QoL) among patients with breast cancer. Specifically, the intention was to verify the mediating effects for promoting behaviors leading to better health and QoL. Methods: A purposive sample of 152 patients undergoing chemotherapy was recruited. A cross-sectional survey design was used. Data were collected using four instruments: Everyday Cognition Scale, Korean Mini-Mental State Examination, Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer Version 4, and Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile. Results: The mean score for subjective cognitive decline was 65.84; the health promotion behavior was 95.89, and 83.34 for QoL. Health promotion behavior was directly affected by cognitive decline ($R^2=6.0%$) as was QoL ($R^2=43%$). Subjective cognitive decline (${\beta}=-.57$ p<.001) and health promotion behavior (${\beta}=.37$, p<.001) were seen as predicting factors in QoL and explained 56% ($R^2=56%$). Health promotion behavior had a partial mediating effect in the relationship between self-reported cognitive decline and QoL (Sobel test: Z=-3.37, p<.001). Conclusion: Based on the findings of this study, nursing intervention programs focusing on managing cognitive decline and promoting health promotion behavior are highly recommended to improve QoL in cancer patients.

• Korean Journal of Health Education and Promotion
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.29-45
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• 2006

Objectives: The aim of this study was to determine the distribution of stages of adoption in stomach cancer screening and elucidate differences among stages. Methods: A randomly selected sample of 712 Korean males and females aged 40 years or over were interviewed. Stomach cancer screening intention and behavior, sociodemographic characteristics, beliefs, self-efficacy and reinforcing characteristics were assessed. Results: The majority of participants were not on-schedule screening(unaware 3.2%, unengaged 20.8%, deciding about acting 24.0%, decided not to act 9.6%, decided to act 14.5%, acting 9.7%, maintenance 18.3%). Perceived susceptibility, perceived barriers, self-efficacy, other cancer screening experiences were significantly associated with higher compared to lower Precaution Adoption Process Model(PAPM) stages. Conclusions: This study appears to be applicable of the Precaution Adoption Process Model to understanding stomach cancer screening behavior. Our results suggest that it is needed to develop the tailored message for adherence of stomach cancer screening.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3927-3930
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• 2012

Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women worldwide and the leading cause of death from cancer among women. Evidence suggests that early diagnosis and screening interventions might help to improve outcomes. This population-based study was conducted to determine breast cancer awareness and screening behavior among Iranian women and to examine its association with women's literacy. The study was carried out in two provinces, with 1,477,045 population, located in central and eastern part of Iran. Overall, 770 women were studied. Of these, 482 (62.7%) were literate and 287 (37.3%) were not. The results obtained from the data analysis indicated that there was a significant difference between literate and illiterate women. Further analysis of the data using logistic regression showed that literacy was an important contributing factor for breast cancer prevention behavior. The findings suggest that in order to improve women's health and breast cancer outcomes providing equal educational opportunities for women seems necessary.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.7
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• pp.4373-4377
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• 2013

Background: The majority of cervical cancers, the most prevalent cancer among Nepali women, are diagnosed in advanced stage leading to high mortality in Nepal. The present study explored factors associated with late diagnosis. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out in two specialized cancer hospitals of Nepal from August 12 to October 12, 2012. Randomly selected 110 cervical cancer patients were interviewed and their medical records were reviewed. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to predict associations. Results: Mean age of patients was 52.7years (SD=10.6), 66% were illiterate and 77% were rural inhabitants. Medical shops (33.6%) and private hospitals (31%) were major first contact points of patients with health care providers (HCP). There was no cervical/per-speculum examination (78.2%) and symptoms misinterpretation (90%) of patients occurred in initial consultation with HCP. Four in every five cases (80.9%) of cervical cancer had late diagnosis. Literate women (adjusted OR=0.121, CI: 0.030-0.482) and women having abnormal vaginal bleeding as early symptom (adjusted OR=0.160, CI: 0.035-0.741) were less likely to suffer late diagnosis. Women who shared their symptoms late (adjusted OR=4.272, CI: 1.110-16.440) and did so with people other than their husband (adjusted OR=12.701, CI: 1.132-142.55) were more likely for late diagnosis. Conclusions: High level of illiteracy among women and their problematic health seeking behavior for gynecological symptoms are responsible for late diagnosis of cervical cancer in Nepal. In the absence of a routine screening program, prevention interventions should be focused on raising awareness of gynecological symptoms and improving health seeking behavior of women for such symptoms.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.9
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• pp.4427-4432
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• 2016

Background: Fear and fatalism have been proposed as factors affecting breast cancer screening, but the evidence is not strong. This study aimed to determine relationships of fear and fatalism with breast cancer screening behavior among Tabriz women in Iran. Materials and Methods: In a cross- sectional study, 370 women referred to 12 health centers in Tabriz were selected with two-stage cluster sampling and data regarding breast cancer screening, fatalism and fear of breast cancer were collected respectively with a checklist for screening performance, Champions Fear and Pow Fatalism Questionnaires. Data were analyzed by logistic regression with SPSS software version 16. Results: Only 43% and 23% of participants had undergone breast self- examination and clinical breast examination. Among women older than 40 years, 38.2% had mammography history and only 2.7% of them had done it annually. Although fatalism and fear had a stimulating effects on breast cancer screening performance th relationships were not significant (P>0.05). There was a negative significant correlation between fear and fatalism (r= -0.24, p=0.000). On logistic regression analysis, age (OR=1.037, p<0.01) and income status (OR= 0.411, p<0.05) significantly explained BSE and age (OR=1.051, p<0.01) and body mass index (OR= 0.879, p<0.01) explained CBE. Also BMI (OR= 0.074, p<0.05) and income status (OR=0.155, p<0.01) was significantly effective for mammography following. Conclusions: Breast cancer screening behavior is inappropriate and affected by family livelihood status and lifestyle leads to weight gain, so that for promoting of screening behaviors, economic support to families, lifestyle modification and public education are suggested.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to identify behaviors preventing the recurrence of breast cancer and the level of quality of life. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from November 1, 2006 to December 25, 2006. One hundred and twenty two women breast cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling. Results: The most frequent behavior for preventing recurrence of the breast cancer was dietary treatment (90.9%) and exercise (86.8%) was the second behavior. In addition, most of them perceived these behaviors as 'very effective' (82.8%). The degree of the quality of life of a breast cancer survivor was 5.34 point indicating a 'medium level'. Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors pursued various behaviors for preventing recurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, the nursing interventions should be focused on a systematic educational approach considering healthy behaviors to prevent breast cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.17
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• pp.7981-7986
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• 2015

Background: As coverage of public insurance is not sufficient to cover diagnosis or treatment of cancer, having private health insurance is important to prepare for unexpected expenses of cancer. The purpose of this study was to assess factors associated with having private cancer insurance, considering gender among the socio-demographic factors and health behavior. Materials and Methods: We used data from the 2011 Korea Health Panel, which included 10,871 participants aged 20 years and older. Socio-demographics, health behavior, and perceived cancer risk were the independent variables and having private cancer insurance was the dependent variable. Multivariable logistic regression analysis was used to identify factors associated with having private cancer insurance. Results: The variables relating to middle age, higher education, higher household income, married men, and the perceived cancer risk groups of 1-10% and 11-30% were significantly associated with having private cancer insurance. Additionally, females who had private non-cancer health insurance were positively associated with the dependent variables (OR=1.36; 95% CI=1.17-1.57). Education, smoking status, exercise, and perceived cancer risk possibility were significantly associated with having private cancer insurance only among women. The men lowered the overall percentages of those having private cancer insurance (OR=0.53, 95% CI=0.45-0.63). Conclusions: We found that there were significant differences between men and women who had private cancer insurance. Women with private cancer insurance are more likely to follow precautionary health behavior than men. This could be interpreted as resulting from masculine ideologies. It is important to make males recognize the seriousness of the cancer risk. In general, household income was highly associated with private cancer insurance. These results reveal an inequity among the buyers of private cancer insurance in terms of economic status level, education level, and health condition.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.2
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• pp.145-153
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• 2022

Purpose: This study aimed to investigate the influencing factors of breast cancer recurrence by comparing the risk factors and lifestyle patterns related to breast cancer in Korean women with and without recurrence. Methods: This cross-sectional survey comprised 241 Korean women diagnosed with breast cancer who had received follow-up treatment. Participants were recruited from a university hospital in Seoul and an online social media platform for breast cancer patients. Data were collected either via online or a paper survey, using a structured questionnaire that included general and disease-related characteristics and lifestyle behaviors. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, univariate analysis, and logistic regression. Results: Recurrence of breast cancer was influenced by four factors; childbirth experience, consumption of green/yellow vegetables, drinking behavior, and recovery from fatigue after sleep. Prevalence of recurrent breast cancer was associated with no childbirth experience (OR=2.29, p=.010), fewer green/yellow vegetables (OR=0.71, p=.008), drinking behavior (OR=0.24, p=.001), and a lower level of recovery from fatigue after sleep (OR=0.51, p<.001). Conclusion: Aside from having experienced childbirth, this study identified several modifiable factors that influence breast cancer recurrence. Increasing green/ yellow vegetable intake, alleviating fatigue, and reducing alcohol intake are important. Intervention strategies in clinical research and practice can be applied to address risk factors and reduce the prevalence of recurrent breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.41-50
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• 1976

This study was carried out to collect basic information on the knowledge and attributes and behavior related to the prevention of breast cancer of a Sample Seoul women. Similar studies had dealt with samples of tumor clinic patients and their families and with non-professional hospital welters. The sample for this study was drawn by women out patients from eight centrally located general hospitals, in Seoul where the number of annual out patients exceeded 100,000, and the number of beds exceeded 100. The interview schedule consisted 33 questions related to knowledge, attitude, and behavior related to prevention of breast cancer. It was modified from the previous on cancer studies. The investigator interviewed 665 women over 20 years of age, from those who visited these eight hospitals from 24, June to 20, August 1975. More than half of the respondents were housewives and primarily in the 20 to 29 ages group. They had a mean level of 3.562 pregnancies and 1,986 children. 33.4% were high-school graduates, 32.2% had a monthly family income in the 50,000 to 100,000 won range. 75% of the respondents had heard about breast cancer through mass media or personal media, but the majority of respondents did not have an accurate understanding of it. This varied according to educational, economical income and occupations. The primary reason given for maintaining distance from a patient with breast cancer was not because of cancer but simply because person was a patient. 74.7% of the respondents thought that early cancer of the breast could be cured with early treatment. Only 5.3% of the respondents had ever had a physical examination and only 6.3% practised self examination of the breast.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.20 no.2
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• pp.137-147
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• 2014

Purpose: This study was done to investigate sexual behavior and sexual satisfaction according to gender difference in Korean patients with cancer Methods: In this study, a convenience sample of Korean patients with cancer who visited hospitals in J City was used. Data were collected between September and December 2012using structured questionnaires: Sexual frequency scale and General sexual satisfaction index (GSSI). Results: Over half of the patients reported loss of sexual desire and changes in sexual behaviors. There was a significant decrease in sexual satisfaction among the male patients, compared to the female patients (t=2.34, p=.020). There were significant correlations between sexual satisfaction and sexual behaviors (male patients r=.45, p<.001; female patients r=.59, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of this study demonstrate the need to take gender into account in developing interventions for patients with cancer. These results will also contribute to the development of improved interventions for sexual health care.