• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.156-162
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• 2005

Purpose: The study was done to identify the relationship of symptoms of stress, cancer prevention behavior, the quality of life in women, and the factors influencing the quality of life. Method: The subjects of this study were 210 married women. They were living in Gyeonggi Province and Busan Metropolitan City. Symptoms of stress were measured by the Park's Stress Scale. Cancer preventive behavior was measured by Suh's Korean scale, and Smith Kline Beecham Quality of life' Scale by Dunbar. Data was analyzed with the SPSS program by ANOVA, Pearson's correlation, and Multiple Regression Analysis. Result: The higher scores of physical stress correlated with lower practice scores of cancer prevention behavior. Psychological and physical stress revealed negative correlations among sub-items of the QOL such as competence, psychological well-being, stability, physical well-being and activity. Multiple regression analysis revealed that the predictor of quality of life in the women was stress. A combination of symptoms of stress and cancer prevention behaviors accounted for 35.3% of the variance in the quality of life in the women. Conclusion: The most important factor influencing the quality of life of women was stress. Thus the study's findings can be useful in directing a comprehensive nursing care plan to improve the QOL of women.

• Journal of Biomedical Engineering Research
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• v.38 no.5
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• pp.227-231
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• 2017

Early diagnosis of pancreatic cancer had been considered one of the important barrier for successful therapy since the five year survival rate after treatment of pancreatic cancer was critically low. Nonetheless, patients often miss the golden time of treatment because they rarely visit the hospital until their symptoms are severe. To overcome these problems, a lot of information about the patient's symptoms should be applied as biomarkers for early diagnosis. For this reason, a biomarker for early detection of pancreatic cancer (CA19-9) has been developed as a diagnostic kit. However, since the diagnosis is not accurate enough, pancreatic symptoms (abdominal pain, jaundice, anorexia, diabetes, etc.) and biomarkers (CA19-9) should be considered together. We develop an intelligent diagnostic system that considers CA19-9 and the incidence of pancreatic cancer for pancreatic symptoms that was determined by studying a large number of patient information. It shows a higher accuracy than one using CA19-9 alone. It may increase the survival rate of pancreatic cancer because it can diagnose pancreatic cancer early.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.17
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• pp.7241-7244
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• 2014

Background: To determine the accuracy of preoperative urinary symptoms, urinalysis, computed tomography (CT) and cystoscopic findings for the diagnosis of urinary bladder invasion in patients with colorectal cancer. Materials and Methods: Records of patients with colorectal cancer and a suspicion of bladder invasion, who underwent tumor resection with partial or total cystectomy between 2002 and 2013 at the Faculty of Medicine Siriraj Hospital, were reviewed. Correlations between preoperative urinary symptoms, urinalysis, cystoscopic finding, CT imaging and final pathological reports were analyzed. Results: This study included 90 eligible cases (71% male). The most common site of primary colorectal cancer was the sigmoid colon (44%), followed by the rectum (33%). Final pathological reports showed definite bladder invasion in 53 cases (59%). Significant features for predicting definite tumor invasion were gross hematuria (OR 13.6, sensitivity 39%, specificity 73%), and visible tumor during cystoscopy (OR 5.33, sensitivity 50%, specificity 84%). Predictive signs in CT imaging were gross tumor invasion (OR 7.07, sensitivity 89%, specificity 46%), abnormal enhancing mass at bladder wall (OR 4.09, sensitivity 68%, specificity 66%), irregular bladder mucosa (OR 3.53, sensitivity 70%, specificity 60% ), and loss of perivesical fat plane (OR 3.17, sensitivity 81%, specificity 43%). However, urinary analysis and other urinary tract symptoms were poor predictors of bladder involvement. Conclusions: The present study demonstrated that the most relevant preoperative predictors of definite bladder invasion in patients with colorectal cancer are gross hematuria, a visible tumor during cystoscopy, and abnormal CT findings.

• Journal of Preventive Medicine and Public Health
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• v.43 no.3
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• pp.222-234
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• 2010

Objectives: Limited research has investigated the specific needs of patients with cancer. This study was performed to explore patients needs and the related factors. Methods: The data were collected by 1 National Cancer Center and 9 regional cancer centers in Korea. An interview survey was performed with using a structured questionnaire for the subjects(2661 patients who gave written informed consent to particiate) survey 4 months after diagnosis and review of medical records. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA and multiple regression analysis. Results: When comparing the relating factors related with patient needs to the sociodemographic characteristics, the female group showed a higher level of recognition for physical symptoms, social support needs. The younger group showed a significantly higher level of recognition for health care staff, psychological problems, information and education, social support, hospital services needs. In addition, the higher educated group showed a higher level of recognition for health care staff, physical symptoms, social support needs. The higher income and office workers group showed a higher level of recognition for hospital services needs. When comparing the relating factors related with patient needs to the cancer, the breast cancer group showed a higher level of recognition for all needs excluding physical symptoms, accessibility and financial support needs. The combined radiotherapy with surgery and chemotherapy group showed a higher level of recognition for psychological problems, information and education, social support needs. Conclusions: This study showed that needs on patient with cancer was significantly influenced by female, higher educagion, lower income, having religion, office worker, liver cancer, breast cancer, colon cancer, chemotherapy, and combined therapy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.42 no.2
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• pp.269-279
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• 2012

Purpose: To develop a expressive writing program for women with breast cancer and to identify its effects on stress physical symptom, cancer symptom, anxiety, depression, and QOL. Methods: A non-equivalent control pre-post design was used. Participants were recruited from self-help groups in six hospitals and were assigned to the experimental group (29) or control group (29). Data were collected before, after, and at four weeks after the intervention program. Changes in the variables were evaluated to test effects of the developed program, using $X^2$-test, Fisher's exact test, repeated measures ANOVA, and paired t-test. Results: The expressive writing program was developed for women with breast cancer based on Pennebaker's expressive writing. Significant differences were found between the two groups for stress related to physical symptoms ($p$<.00) and quality of life ($p$=.024). No significant differences were found in cancer symptoms, anxiety, or depression between the two groups. Conclusion: The results indicate that the expressive writing program designed to express cancer-related deep thoughts and emotions helps in decreasing physical symptoms and improving QOL. Further studies are needed to identify the effect on emotions such as anxiety and depression for women with breast cancer with above average levels of anxiety and depression.

• Journal of Gastric Cancer
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• v.23 no.4
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• pp.561-573
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to compare the long-term functional and patient-reported outcomes between intra-corporeal delta-shaped gastroduodenostomy and gastrojejunostomy after laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for gastric cancer. Materials and Methods: We retrospectively reviewed clinicopathological data from 616 patients who had undergone laparoscopic distal gastrectomy for stage I gastric cancer between January 2015 and September 2020. Among them, 232 patients who had undergone delta-shaped anastomosis and another 232 who had undergone Billroth II anastomosis were matched using propensity scores. Confounding variables included age, sex, body mass index, physical status classification, tumor location, and T classification. Postoperative complications, nutritional outcomes, endoscopic findings, and quality of life (QoL) were compared between the 2 groups. Results: No significant differences in postoperative complications or nutritional parameters between the two groups were observed. Annual endoscopic findings revealed more residual food and less bile reflux in the delta group (P<0.001) than in the Billroth II group. Changes of QoL were significantly different regarding emotional function, insomnia, diarrhea, reflux symptoms, and dry mouth (P=0.007, P=0.002, P=0.013, P=0.001, and P=0.03, respectively). Among them, the delta group had worse insomnia, reflux symptoms, and dry mouth within three months postoperatively. Conclusions: Long-term nutritional outcomes and QoL were comparable between the delta and Billroth II groups. However, more residual food and worse short-term QoL regarding insomnia, reflux symptoms, and dry mouth were observed in the delta group. Longer fasting time before endoscopic evaluation and short-term symptom management would have been helpful for the delta group.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.296-306
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated the effects of peripheral neuropathy symptoms, self-care ability, and disturbances to daily life on quality of life (QoL) among gynecological cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: The participants included 144 patients with gynecological cancer undergoing anticancer chemotherapy at a tertiary hospital in Seoul, South Korea, from December 1, 2021 to January 28, 2022. Convenience sampling was used to recruit patients who had received 4 or more cycles of chemotherapy using a paclitaxel-platinum regimen, and a self-reported questionnaire was used to collect data. Descriptive statistics, the t-test, analysis of variance, Scheffé test, Pearson correlation coefficients, and multiple regression analysis were performed. Results: Most of the participants had ovarian cancer (70.1%) or endometrial cancer (14.6%), and the most common number of treatment cycles was 6 to 10 (29.2%). The mean QoL (60.83±19.89) was greater than the midpoint. The regression model analyzing the patients' QoL was statistically significant (F=15.38, p<.001) with an explanatory power of 56.7%. Self-care ability (β=.39, p<.001), disturbances to daily life (β=-.38, p<.001), the duration of peripheral neuropathy symptoms (β=2.14, p=.034), and regular exercise (β=-2.12, p=.036) were found to significantly affect QoL. Conclusion: Efforts to improve the self-care ability of gynecological cancer patients who have experienced peripheral neuropathy after receiving chemotherapy and mitigate disturbances to their daily life can improve their QoL. Healthcare professionals should identify peripheral neuropathy symptoms and examine the effects of the symptoms on patients' daily lives. Improving the self-care ability of patients and alleviating their limitations in daily life may improve QoL.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.6
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• pp.3799-3804
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• 2013

Background: Colorectal cancer is the second most common cancer in Malaysia. The prognosis of the disease is excellent if detected at an early stage, but the majority of Malaysian patients present at late stages. We aimed to assess the awareness of cancer warning signs and anticipated delay in help-seeking as possible contributors to this phenomenon. Materials and Methods: A population-based cross-sectional survey using the Colorectal Cancer Awareness Measure was initiated in Perak, Malaysia. A total of 2,379 respondents aged 18 years and above were recruited using a multi-stage sampling in five locations. Analysis of covariance was used to examine independent sociodemographic predictors of scores for symptom awareness. Results: Younger age, being female, a higher education, and higher income were significantly associated with better scores for both recall and recognition of warning symptoms. Among the ethnic groups, Malays had better recognition of symptoms whereas Chinese recalled the most symptoms. Passing bloody stool was associated with the least anticipated delay and unexplained anal pain had the highest anticipated delay. Conclusions: The level of awareness across all ethnicities in Malaysia is generally low, especially among minorities. Targeted public education, which is culturally and linguistically appropriate, should be developed to encourage early help-seeking and improve clinical outcomes.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.45 no.4
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• pp.604-612
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• 2015

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the levels of physical symptoms, anxiety, depression, and quality of life (QOL) during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients in South Korea and to identify factors influencing their QOL. Methods: Data were collected from 144 colorectal cancer patients receiving chemotherapy during 2012 at one general hospital located in Seoul. Physical symptoms were measured by the M. D. Anderson Symptom Inventory-Gastrointestinal Cancer Module, and anxiety and depression were measured by the Hospital Anxiety Depression Scale. QOL was measured by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Colorectal. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, $Scheff{\acute{e}}$ post hoc test, Pearson correlation and stepwise multiple regression. Results: Mean age of the participants was 56.6 and most of them were not employed. In terms of cancer stage, 38.2% were in stage 3, followed by stage 4 (34.7%). The most frequent symptom was lack of appetite, followed by sleep disturbance and fatigue. The mean score for anxiety was 5.40 with a prevalence of 23% and that of depression 8.85 with a prevalence of 64.6%. The mean score for quality of life was 81.93 out of 136 and 75.3% of the variance in QOL was explained by depression, symptoms, anxiety, treatment place, and occupational status. Depression was the strongest predictive factor. Conclusion: Oncology professionals need to pay special attention to relieving depression as well as physical symptoms to improve QOL during chemotherapy for colorectal cancer patients.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.19 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 2007

1. Objectives The incidence of Gallbladder(GB) cancer is increasing through out the world. And the death rate of GB cancer is highest compared with other kinds of cancers. We treated Stage IV GB canter with lung metastasised patient with Sasang constitutional medicine. 2. Methods We fellowed up the changes of Symptoms and QOL. 3. Results The symptoms and quality of lift(QOL) of Stage IV GB cancer with both lung metastasis patient are improved markedly by Sasang constitutional medicine. 4. Conclusions The symptoms of GB cancer with both Lung mets were effectively managed through the constitutional treatment So we report the healing process and result of this patient in this study.