• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.339-346
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was conducted to identify the impact of Symptom Severity and Symptom Interference on Sleep Disturbance among cancer patients. Methods: This study was conducted from October 8th to October 25th, 2012. One hundred eight cancer patients were recruited from S city in Korea. The instruments used in this study were the Symptom Severity, Symptom Interference and the Sleep Disturbance scales for patients with cancer. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression with the SPSS/WIN 20.0 program. Results: The Sleep Disturbance for cancer patients showed a significant relationship with Symptom Interference and cancer stage. The significant factors influencing Sleep Disturbance were Symptom Severity and Symptom Interference. They explained 40.5% of the variance in stage IV. Conclusion: Patients with cancer experienced Symptom Severity and Symptom Interference which led to a negative effect on Sleep Disturbance. The results suggest that intervention programs to reduce Symptom Severity, Symptom Interference could improve Sleep Disturbance for cancer patients.

• Journal of East-West Nursing Research
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• v.11 no.2
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• pp.146-154
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• 2005

Purpose: This study was designed to identify the relationship between quality of life, perceived health status, perceived susceptibility severity to recurrence of cancer and character of object in cancer patients to provide the basic data of effective nursing interventions. Method: The subject of this study was randomly chosen from the patients diagnosed of cancer and being hospitalised or receiving chemotherapy as outpatients, at a Division of Hemato-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine of a university hospital located in Seoul. The tool used in this study was a measurement tool for quality of life (${\alpha}=.829$), perceived health status (${\alpha}=.903$), and perceived susceptibility and severity for cancer recurrence (${\alpha}=.860$). The collected data were analysed using SPSS PC 12.0 Programme for real number, percentage, average, standard deviation, Pearson's Correlation, t-test and ANOVA, according to the purpose of this study. Result: 1) The score of quality of life in cancer patients was 3.64 point, perceived health status was 2.62 and perceived susceptibility severity to recurrence of cancer was 2.41. 2) There was a significant difference in the quality of life according to general characteristics, such as level of education, occupation, level of activity, pain, medication period, diagnosis, disease stage, purpose of medication, and recurrence. There was a significant difference in perceived health status according to age, level of activity, pain, diagnosis, purpose of medication, and recurrence. There was a significant difference in perceived susceptibility severity to recurrence of cancer according to age, level of education, and pain. 3) The cancer patients' quality of life showed significant correlation with perceived health status, perceived susceptibility severity to recurrence of cancer, pain, job, treatment purpose, relapse. The perceived health status showed significant correlation with perceived susceptibility severity to recurrence of cancer, pain, treatment purpose, relapse. The perceived susceptibility severity to recurrence of cancer showed significant correlation with pain. The relapse showed significant correlation with treatment purpose. The cancer patients' quality of life, perceived health status, and perceived susceptibility and severity for cancer recurrence, as confirmed above, showed differences according to the related factors of each subject, and it was also confirmed that those factors were significantly related with general characteristics. Upon these results, I suggest further studies on the factors that affect the cancer patients' quality of life.

• The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing
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• v.2 no.2
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• pp.225-233
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• 1999

The purpose of this study is to determine the need of education about BSE for the medical members, to survey about the performance and the knowledge of BSE in patients who operated on subtotal and total mastectomy and to compare the regularity of BSE with the severity of breast cancer. The subjects were 163 patients with operated on mastectomy who participated were interviewed in the S university Hospital. The collected data were analyzed by descriptive statistics and t-test, One-way ANOVA and Pearson Correlation with SPSSWIN program. Results were obtained as follows: 1. There was no statistical difference between in the regular group of the mammography and the regular BSE group(F=0.558, P=0.458). 2. There was statistical difference between the method of detection and the severity of the breast cancer(F=3.359, P=0.011). 3. There was statistical difference between regularity of the BSE and the severity of breast cancer(F=3.301, P=0.019). 4. There was showed higher severity of the breast cancer in the elderly patients(r=0.172, P=0.019). 5. There was showed higher severity of the breast cancer in the lower educational level(r=-0.170, P=0.033). According to this study need to the development of the educational program about the BSE and the future research about the regular BSE of the high risk group in the breast cancer.

• Journal of Korean Biological Nursing Science
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.105-112
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• 2023

Purpose: This study aimed to understand the general characteristics and biomarkers of inflammation in adult patients who visited the emergency department with fever and to determine whether the severity of clinical symptoms varies according to cancer diagnosis. Methods: Data were collected retrospectively from 4,002 adult patients with fever who visited the emergency department at a tertiary hospital from January 2018 to December 2018 using medical records. Results: On average, cancer patients were older than non-cancer patients (p < .001), and differences were observed between cancer and non-cancer patients in the origin of fever and biomarkers associated with inflammation. A higher proportion of cancer patients than non-cancer patients had a Korean Triage and Acuity Scale level of 1 to 3 (p < .001), and more cancer patients than non-cancer patients met two or more criteria for systemic inflammatory response syndrome (p = .001). More life-saving interventions in the emergency department were required in cancer patients than in non-cancer patients (p < .001), and cancer patients spent more time in the emergency department than non-cancer patients (p < .001). Conclusion: This study showed that the general characteristics and biomarkers of inflammation differed among adult patients with fever depending on cancer diagnosis. Furthermore, among adult patients with fever, cancer patients had more severe clinical symptoms than non-cancer patients. The results of this study are hoped to be helpful as a basis of nursing knowledge for adult patients with fever in the emergency department and as evidence for the classification of severity in patients with fever according to cancer diagnosis.

• Korean Journal of Acupuncture
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• v.29 no.4
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• pp.623-633
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• 2012

Objectives : Fatigue is a common and distressing symptom that is a concern for cancer patients. It has a decisive effect on quality of life. The purpose of this study was to examine the feasibility of clinical trial to evaluate of efficacy and safety of acupuncture on cancer related fatigue of lung cancer patients. Methods : Total lung cancer 9 patients complained of fatigue were treated by acupuncture twice a week for four weeks(8 times in total). Evaluation of the severity of fatigue was measured by FSS(Fatigue Severity Score). In visit 1, 10, we checked FSS. For check safety of acupuncture treatment, we did blood test. Results : After 4 weeks of acupuncture treatment, the FSS was significantly decreased from $4.92{\pm}1.06$ to $3.74{\pm}1.37$(p=0.008). And the level of hemoglobin was significantly increased from 10.87 g/dl to 12.01 g/dl(p=0.014). No other lab measures indicated any significant differences between before and after acupuncture treatment. Conclusions : This study suggests that acupuncture treatment will be beneficial for lung cancer patients to improve the fatigue severity. And acupuncture treatment is safe method for lung cancer patients. A large-scale study to confirm efficacy and safety of acupuncture is needed.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.10 no.2
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• pp.180-190
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• 2010

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare the improvement and maintenance effects of foot reflexology (FR) on sensations after breast cancer surgery with those of lavender foot bath (LFB). Methods: Using a single-blind design, both 18 women to receive 20-min FR by trained experts and 14 women to soak feet in $40^{\circ}C$ foot tub water with 5 drop lavender essential oil, 15-min were intervened every two days. Repeated measures were taken pre 1st-(baseline-4th op. day), pre 3rd-(2nd data), and pre 5th-intervention (3rd data) with following up at 1-week after 5th intervention (4th data). The reliable translated Korean version of Baron's Breast Sensation Assessment Scale was used to assess sensations after breast cancer surgery (SABCS) characterized by prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress. Results: A significant difference between baseline and the 3rd, and a decrease tendency from baseline to the 3rd were observed for the severity and distress in FR and for the prevalence and severity in LFB. A significant or important decrease tendency between the 3rd and the 4th were observed for the severity and distress in FR and for the severity in LFB. Conclusion: Iterative FR has the improvement and maintenance effects on the severity and distress while LFB has only those on the severity.

• The Korean Journal of Pain
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.221-226
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• 1999

Background : Validity of WHO guideline of cancer pain management has been proven and many trials have been done to derive solutions for inadequate cancer pain management. We assessed the severity of pain of terminal cancer patients in a few different ways and patients' characteristics influencing inadequate pain management. Methods : This study was based on 100 adult oncological patients who were confirmed as terminal stage in our institution from 3/1998 to 11/1998. Medical records were reviewed and individual patients were interviewed to obtain demographic information and medical characteristics such as: daily activity performance, metastasis, and drug-adjusted pain severity. Adequacy of prescribed analgesics in accordance with WHO guidelines of pain management and patients' characteristics influencing adequacy of pain management were assessed. Results : Among those cancer patients diagnosed as terminal stage, 85% complained of pain, and 68% of those patients reported pain above moderate severity. 38% of those patients received inadequate pain management resulting in greater severity of pain; the less adequate pain relief was(p<0.01). Sex, age, primary cancer site metastasis, symptoms such as depression and anxiety, and daily activity performance were not significantly related. Conclusions : Despite WHO guidelines for pain management, majority of the terminal cancer patients received inadequate pain management. There is a necessity for education on proper pain evaluation and strict implimentation for WHO guidelines of pain management.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.10
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• pp.5057-5061
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• 2012

Purpose: Chemotherapy-induced anemia (CIA) is one of the most important causes of anemia in cancer patients. This study was conducted to describe the prevalence and characteristics of CIA in solid cancer patients in the Chinese population, and to explore the relationship of white blood cell (WBC) or platelet decrease with CIA. Methods: Data on age, gender, tumor diagnosis, anti-cancer treatment and blood cell analyses were available from 220 untreated non-anemic cancer patients who received at least 2 cycles of chemotherapy, and the data were analyzed to assess their relationship with CIA or its severity. Results: 139 patients (63.2%) presented anemia, most being Grade 1 or 2. Esophageal and lung cancers were associated with a high prevalence. G3/4 leucopenia and decrease of platelets were identified as independent risk factors for the occurrence of CIA. Moreover, G3/4 leucopenia, decrease of platelet and G3/4 thrombocytopenia were found to be also associated with the severity of CIA. Cisplatin-containing regimens were a main potential factor in causing CIA, although significant association was only found on univariate analysis. Conclusion: Anemia or decrease in hematoglobin are common in Chinese cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Cisplatin-containing regimens might be an important factor influencing the occurrence of CIA. Our analysis firstly described some risk factors, such as decrease of platelets or WBCs, severity of leucopenia or thrombocytopenia, associated with the occurrence and severity of CIA.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.297-304
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was to identify the symptom severity, interference and their psychological predictors in thyroid cancer patients hospitalized for radioactive iodine administration. Methods: One hundred seventy-seven thyroid cancer patients admitted to the isolation room for Iodine ($I^{131}$) therapy were recruited. Subjects were asked to complete the questionnaire on core symptoms, thyroid cancer symptoms, interference, depression and state anxiety in the evening after receiving radioactive iodine therapy. Data was analyzed using frequency, percentage, mean, Pearson's correlation, and multiple regression with SPSS vs. 19. Results: Lack of appetite, drowsiness, sleep disturbance, fatigue, and nausea were the 5 most core symptoms. More than 20% of patients experienced moderate to severe thyroid cancer symptoms including feeling cold, hoarseness, swallowing difficulty, and feeling hot. More than 30% of subjects experienced moderate to severe interferences in mood, general activity, and 22% in walking. Depression and state anxiety were identified as predictors of core symptoms, thyroid symptom severity and interference. Conclusion: Nursing interventions to reduce the symptom severity and interference need to be developed by considering thyroid cancer patients' depression and anxiety when hospitalized in the isolation room for radioactive iodine administration.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.15
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• pp.6719-6727
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• 2015

Background: The objective of this study was to assess the readability, suitability, and health content of cancer screening information in municipal newspapers in Japan. Materials and Methods: Suitability Assessment of Materials (SAM) and the framework of Health Belief Model (HBM) were used for assessment of municipal newspapers that were published in central Tokyo (23 wards) from January to December 2013. Results: The mean domain SAM scores of content, literacy demand, and layout/typography were considered superior. The SAM scores of interaction with readers, an indication of the models of desirable actions, and elaboration to enhance readers' self-efficacy were low. According to the HBM coding, messages of medical/clinical severity, of social severity, of social benefits, and of barriers of fear were scarce. Conclusions: The articles were generally well written and suitable. However, learning stimulation/motivation was scarce and the HBM constructs were not fully addressed. Practice implications: Articles can be improved to motivate readers to obtain cancer screening by increasing interaction with readers, introducing models of desirable actions and devices to raise readers' self-efficacy, and providing statements of perceived barriers of fear for pain and time constraints, perceived severity, and social benefits and losses.