• Journal of muscle and joint health
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• v.19 no.1
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• pp.37-45
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was to compare pain, upper extremity function, and anxiety among disease characteristics in the breast cancer survivors and to clarify the relationship among these variables. Methods: One hundred twenty two participants with breast cancer survivors over the age of 30 were recruited from a general hospital. Data were collected from November 1 to December 25, 2006 using a structured questionnaire. Results: The mean age was 51.17 and their mean survival period was 38.08 months. The breast cancer survivors who had received radiation therapy reported lower levels of pain and upper extremity function, and higher levels of anxiety than those who had other treatments. Pain and anxiety were positively related, and upper extremity function was negatively related to pain and anxiety. Conclusion: The breast cancer survivors experienced pain, upper extremity function disorder and anxiety. This study indicates that nursing interventions for the breast cancer survivors may be needed to improve upper extremity function, and to reduce pain and anxiety.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.11
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• pp.5593-5597
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to evaluate the effects of the group therapy on psychological symptoms and quality of life of patients with early stage breast cancer. Methods: This study was performed on 16 breast cancer patients who completed treatments. The total group therapy program involved a weekly session of 2-3 hours, for 16 weeks. The group therapy sessions were given to women in the oncology department by a clinical psychologist and also given training sections by the different professional teams. All the required assessments for the study were performed after and before 16 week group therapy intervention. Results: Initially we had taken 21 women but 16 participated in all therapy programs and submitted questionnaires. The mean age was 47.8 years. There were significant differences between before and after group therapy program. Anxiety, depression, and distress showed significant improvements. Hopelessness scale was detected at the border of significance. There was no change in sleep problems and quality of life. According to the analysis of correlation, considering the age factor and year of diagnosis, there was found no statistically significant relationship between anxiety, distress, depression, hopelessness, sleeplessness, and quality of life. Conclusions: This pilot study demonstrated that brief, predominantly group therapy is feasible for patients with breast cancer and, also it may be helpful to cope with emotional and physical distress.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 2014

Background: Today, breast cancer is increasing in nearly all societies. Currently, cancers are the third leading cause of death in Iran after cardiovascular diseases and accidents. Of the cancers, breast cancer is spreading particularly rapidly among Iranian women. Negative effects of discontinuation of care on patient survival have been well documented. Inhibiting or facilitating factors affecting continuity of care at different stages of the patient care continuum should be identified. Materials and Methods: The current study implemented a qualitative method that provided tools to examine factors in detail. This study was conducted on 22 women, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Content analysis was the technique adopted. Results: The effective factors in continuity of care from the patients' perception, based on the participant statements, were classified into three categories of evaluation of symptoms, psychological reactions, and care triggers with several subcategories. Conclusions: According to the outcomes of the current study, it can be noted that, the patient experiences can be brought into use by health-care professionals and assist them in providing patient sand their families with adequate consulting services. It can also provide an opportunity for making interventions tailored to the community culture, and closer adherence of patients to the prescribed treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.565-570
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• 2015

Breast and colorectal cancers rank high in Iran as causes of mortality. Most of the current treatments are expensive and non-specific. The potential anticancer properties of common home gecko, Cyrtopodion scabrum, were investigated in this study. The effects of C. scabrum extract on proliferation, viability and migration of the colorectal cancer (SW-742), breast cancer (MCF-7) and normal (MSC) cell lines were investigated using MTT and in vitro wound healing assay. $IC_{50}$ values calculated for the extract were $559{\pm}28.9{\mu}g/mL$ for MCF-7 and $339{\pm}11.3{\mu}g/mL$ for SW-742. No toxic effects on the normal control cells were observed. MCF-7 and SW-742 cell growth was inhibited by 32.6% and 62%, under optimum conditions, compared to the untreated control cells. The extract also decreased the motility and migration ability of both cancer cell lines, with no significant effects on the normal control cells. Data suggest C. scabrum extract as a useful natural resource for targeting cancer cells specifically.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.18 no.3
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• pp.395-404
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• 2006

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of a structured group intervention on knowledge about lung cancer, self efficacy and quality of life for family caregivers of patients with lung cancer using a nonequivalent control groupquasi-experimental design. Methods: Subjects were 11 family caregivers for both the control and the experimental group. The experimental group participated in once a week for 2-hour session for 4 weeks. Four topics of educational program were lung cancer and treatment, side effects of treatments, symptoms management, and health management. Every session consisted of lecture, sharing experiences, and meditating time. Quality of life was measured using Jang(1996)'s tool. The tools for knowledge and self-efficacy were developed by the authors. Results: After the intervention, the experimental group showed higher self-efficacy in caring for the patients than did the controls. However, there were no significant differences in knowledge about lung cancer and quality of life between the two groups. Conclusion: Findings indicate that the group intervention would be effective for family caregivers of lung cancer patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6985-6989
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• 2013

Background: This study aimed to examine out-of-pocket expenditure for cancer treatments of hospitalized patients and to analyze changing patterns over time. Materials and Methods: This study examined data of all cancer patients receiving inpatient care from two tertiary hospitals from January 2003 to December 2010. Medical expenditures per admission were calculated and classified into those covered and uncovered by the Korean National Health Insurance (NHI) and co-payment. Results: The medical expenditure per admission increased slowly from 3,455 thousand Korean won (KRW) to 4,068 thousand KRW. While expenditures covered by the NHI have increased annually, co-payments have generally decreased. The out-of-pocket expenditure ratio, which means the proportion of uncovered expenditure and co-payment among total medical expenditure dropped sharply from 2005 to 2007 and was maintained at a similar level after 2007. Medical expenditures, NHI coverage, and the out-of-pocket expenditure ratio differed across cancer types. Conclusions: It is necessary to continually monitor the expenditure of uncovered services by the NHI, and to provide policies to reduce this economic burden. In addition, an individual approach considering cancer type-specific characteristics and medical utilization should be provided.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.30 no.5
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• pp.163-173
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• 2009

Objective: This study sought a clinical analysis of hepatobiliary cancer patients treated by oriental medical therapy. Methods: 312 hepatobiliary cancer patients treated in East-west Cancer Center of Dunsan Oriental Hospital from October 2004 to September 2008 were reviewed. These patients' general characteristics and clinical change after treatment were investigated. Results: 83.3% of patients' tumors were stage IV. The median survival period of stage IV patients was 107.0$\pm$82.2 (IVa), 207.0$\pm$26.8 (IVb) days (hepatocellular carcinoma), 132.0$\pm$15.8 days (cholangiocarcinoma), and 203.0$\pm$24.6 days (gallbladder carcinoma). Conclusions: This study presents the general characteristics of hepatobiliary cancer patients treated by Oriental medical therapies, and thus would be valuable for further studies of Oriental medicine-based cancer treatments.

• The Journal of Korean Medicine
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• v.24 no.3
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• pp.138-144
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• 2003

Objective : Though modern medicine has made various studies in cancer treatment, the results of the treatments are not satisfactory. Considering this, Oriental medicine can be a breakthrough in treatment of cancer, and therefore, its constant research eagerly needed. According to preceding studies, Hangamjedoktang (Kangaizhidu-tang) with Hagocho appeared to be statistically significant against cancer, and therefore to seek a better medication for cancer, Holotrichia which seemed to be effective against cancer was added to the formula, and herbs which showed an anti-tumor effect in preceding studies composed Hangamyagjaebang. The efficacy of both Hangamjedoktang with Holotrichia (HJJ) and Hangamyagjaebang (Kangaiyaocaijang) (HM) was compared. Methods : To examine the anti-cancer effect of HJJ and HM, inhibitory effect on solid tumor growth in mice induced by Sarcoma-180 (s-180), change of body and organ weight in tumor bearing mice and the activity of machrophages and lymphocytes in the spleen were examined. Results : 1. In the HJJ and HM treated groups, tumor growth was markedly decreased. 2. HJJ and HM increased the activity of ALP which is produced from the splenocytes transplanted with S-180. 3. HJJ and HM increased the ACP activity of the macrophages of the mice transplanted with S-180. Conclusion : These results suggest that HJJ and HM are good candidates for new drugs for cancer therapy.

• Molecules and Cells
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• v.41 no.12
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• pp.993-999
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• 2018

One of the most interesting findings from genome-wide expression analysis is that a considerable amount of noncoding RNA (ncRNA) is present in the cell. Recent studies have identified diverse biological functions of ncRNAs, which are expressed in a much wider array of forms than proteins. Certain ncRNAs associated with diseases, in particular, have attracted research attention as novel therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers. BC200 RNA, a 200-nucleotide ncRNA originally identified as a neuron-specific transcript, is abnormally over-expressed in several types of cancer tissue. A number of recent studies have suggested mechanisms by which abnormal expression of BC200 RNA contributes to the development of cancer. In this article, we first provide a brief review of a recent progress in identifying functions of BC200 RNA in cancer cells, and then offer examples of other ncRNAs as new therapeutic targets and diagnostic markers for human cancer. Finally, we discuss future directions of studies on BC200 RNA for new cancer treatments.

• Journal of Korean Traditional Oncology
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• v.25 no.2
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• pp.1-11
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• 2020

Objectives: The effectiveness of acupuncture on cancer pain is relatively well established, while there have been few clinical studies on pharmacopuncture on that. This research was aimed to investigate a trend of pharmacopuncture treatment for cancer pain and to propose information for further research. Methods: Clinical studies on pharmacopuncture for cancer pain were collected from 5 Korean medical databases. And the studies were analyzed by classifications of cancer, chief complaints, interventions, treating skills, additional treatments, treatment session, outcome measures, results and adverse effects. Results: The literatures were 8 case reports and 1 randomized controlled trial. Interventions were pharmacopunctures of soyeom, mountain ginseng, Harpagophyti Radix, snake venom, Trionycis Carapax, bee venom, Aconitum Ciliare Decaisne. Treatment skills, procedures, and indications of each pharmacopuncture were different. An adverse effects of bruising, bleeding, mild chilling, sore throat and pain were mentioned on snake venom and bee venom treatment. Conclusions: An appropriate interventions and treatment skills should be selected according to the type of cancer pain. And treatment procedures to ensure safety must be developed.