PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to identify the quality of life in colorectal cancer patients with chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy. METHODS: A total of 93 patients were recruited in the cross-sectional survey design. Quality of life in colorectal cancer patients were measured by European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) QLQ C30 and CIPN20. RESULTS: In the QLQ C30, the mean score of the global health status was 59.41, the functional scale was 73.29 and symptom scale was 26.72. In CIPN20, the mean score of sensory scale was 32.70, autonomic scale was 22.88 and motor scale was 16.12. In the QLQ C30, the global health status showed significant differences according to surgery (p=.027) and the functional scale, and the symptom scale showed significant differences according to gender (p=.046, p=.020) and nonpharmacologic intervention (p=.001, p=.009). The CIPN20, the sensory scale showed significant differences according to age (p=.006), DM (p=.005), grade of CIPN (p=<.001) the status of chemotherapy (p=.001) and nonpharmacologic intervention (p=.010). CONCLUSION: The level of quality of life in colorectal cancer patients with peripheral neuropathy was relatively low. There is a need for developing a nursing intervention for colorectal cancer patients to improve their quality of life and to decrease chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.
Colorectal Neoplasms ; Cross-Sectional Studies ; Humans ; Peripheral Nervous System Diseases ; Quality of Life

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to evaluate the accuracy of two different fluid intake measurement methods (fluid only vs. all dietary intake) in measuring fluid balance compared to body weight change among patients with cancers. METHODS: A total of 60 cancer patients in an urban cancer center in South Korea participated in the study. Adult patients who were over 18 years old; having 24-hr I&O order; and taking either normal regular diet or soft blend diet were included. Demographic information and disease related information were also gathered. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0 program. RESULTS: Measuring 'fluid only' for oral intake was a more accurate measure than measuring 'all dietary intake' (p=.026 vs. p=.094). Both methods had positive correlations with the amount of weight change (r=.329, p=.010; r=.303, p=.019). Measuring body weight was a more accurate and efficient way of evaluating the fluid balance than 24 hr cumulative I&O. CONCLUSION: Developing clinical manual for selecting proper patients who needs fluid balance monitoring is imperative. Administering weight check and/or 24 hr cumulative I&O should be considered thoroughly based on solid nursing evidence in future.
Adult ; Body Fluids ; Body Weight ; Body Weight Changes ; Diet ; Humans ; Nutrition Assessment ; Republic of Korea ; Water-Electrolyte Balance

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate the relationships between stigma, distress, and quality of life (QOL) in patients with lung cancer. METHODS: The subjects of the study were 123 lung cancer patients who visited the outpatient department of S hospital in Seoul from July 21st to August 29th, 2011. To measure stigma, distress, and QOL, Cataldo Lung Cancer Stigma Scale, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and EORTC QLQ-C30 (Quality of Life Questionnaire, Core 30) were used in this study. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, average, t-test, ANOVA, and Pearson correlation with SPSS WIN 19.0. RESULTS: Stigma showed positive correlations with anxiety, depression, and symptom (r=.37, p<.001; r=.44, p<.001; r=.23 p=.012), while it showed negative correlations with global QOL and function (r=-.26, p=.003; r=-.40, p<.001). Anxiety and depression also positively correlated with symptoms (r=.43, p<.001; r=.58, p<.001) while anxiety and depression negatively correlated with global QOL (r=-.40, p<.001; r=-.56, p<.001) and function (r=-.64, p<.001; r=-.66, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The findings of the study demonstrated that lung cancer patients experienced stigma and distress that had a negative influence on the subjects' QOL. Thus the study's findings can be useful in developing psychosocial nursing strategies to improve QOL of lung cancer patients in the future.
Anxiety ; Depression ; Humans ; Lung ; Lung Neoplasms ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Surveys and Questionnaires

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to examine the sensation changes in upper extremity and the quality of life for post-operative mastectomy patients. METHODS: This study used a descriptive study design. The participants were 132 women who had mastectomies after being diagnosed with breast cancer and were participating in breast cancer self-help groups. The sensation changes in the arm of the surgery site was measured by the arm symptoms which were subjective uncomfortable feelings of the affected arm, and the quality of life was measured by Medical Outcomes Study Short Form-36. Collected data were analyzed by ANOVA, t-test, chi2-test and multiple regression with SPSS WIN 12.0 program. RESULTS: Patients with stage IV breast cancer had severe changes in sensation of the arm. Participants with lymphedema had statistically significant changes in sensation compared to participants without lymphedema, but the quality of life was not different between the two groups. Pain by the SF 36 was statistically different between the two groups, with- and without-lymphedema. The factors in upper extremity's sensation changes which influence on quality of life were pain and heaviness. CONCLUSION: Nursing intervention for relieving pain and heaviness of the affected arm needs to be developed in order to improve QOL of the breast cancer survivors.
Arm ; Breast Neoplasms ; Female ; Humans ; Lymphedema ; Mastectomy ; Quality of Life ; Self-Help Groups ; Sensation ; Survivors ; Upper Extremity

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to identify the influencing factors on the quality of life among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: The subjects were 159 female patients who visited out-patient department (OPD) after the mass removal surgery for breast cancer and had completed adjuvant treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation therapy at a university hospital and a general hospital. Data collection was conducted using the Ferrell QOL scale, the Mishel uncertainty scale, the Fitts & Osgoods body image scale revised by Jeon & Kim. the Rosenberg self-esteem scale, and the Kang family support scale. RESULTS: The level of QOL in the participants was in the middle. There were a significant correlation between QOL, uncertainty, self-esteem, and family support. There were significant differences in QOL with the perceived health condition and the best support person. In a regression analysis, the most powerful predictor of QOL was body image (21.7%). Altogether uncertainty and perceived health condition explained 28.6% of the variance of QOL of the participants. CONCLUSION: Body image, uncertainty, and perceived health condition were important predictors of QOL. These results demonstrated the need for developing interventions to improve QOL of breast cancer survivors.
Body Image ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Data Collection ; Female ; Hospitals, General ; Humans ; Outpatients ; Quality of Life ; Survivors ; Uncertainty

PURPOSE: The aims of this study were to describe and interpret the nature of the experience inherent in the sex life of female breast cancer patients after treatment and understand the meaning behind it. METHODS: The participants were 10 female breast cancer patients who were married. Data were collected from March to September 2010. Van Manen's hermeneutic phenomenology was adopted in this qualitative study as a research method. RESULTS: There were 4 essential topics in the participants' experience of sex life; 'Sex life alert' was a result of negative changes in sexual relationships with spouse that they had never experienced before the breast cancer diagnosis; 'Precarious situation for pending divorce' was an experience of deteriorated sex life because of the failure to overcome 'sex life alert'; 'Sublimation of the difficulties by discovering an alternative solution' was an experience of discovering a solution to overcome the 'sexlife alert'. 'Leaving it as unsettled' was an experience of a condition in which the participants did not have any intension to resolve the difficulties in sex life due to the lack of appropriate support, thus tried to ignore the challenges faced. CONCLUSION: This study illustrates the necessity to develop proper nursing intervention on the issues related to sex life among breast cancer patients. Given the fact that the sexual topics are often considered taboo in day to day nursing practice, special attention and efforts need to be given in this area to build up nursing knowledge and evidence-based practice.
Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Evidence-Based Practice ; Female ; Humans ; Qualitative Research ; Sexual Behavior ; Spouses ; Taboo

PURPOSE: The purpose of this micro-ethnography is to examine whether science and societal changes impact family communication patterns among a convenience sample of 16 Korean women. METHODS: The authors observed family communication in the context of a new breast cancer genetic screening and diagnostic testing program to detect BRCA gene mutations in Korean women at highest risk. RESULTS: Analysis of in-depth interviews and field notes taken during participant observation illustrated that communication patterns in families vary according to a woman's position in the family. If a grandmother tests positive for a gene mutation, her daughters make decisions on her behalf; they open and maintain the communication channel among family members. If a housewife is diagnosed with cancer and a genetic mutation, she immediately consults her husband and her sisters. The husband creates an open communication channel between his wife, his parents and his siblings. As a result, a woman's cancer is a concern for the whole family not merely a woman's secret or crisis. CONCLUSION: Cultural differences are important to consider when designing new genetic service programs in different countries.
Anthropology, Cultural ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Diagnostic Tests, Routine ; Female ; Genes, vif ; Genetic Counseling ; Genetic Services ; Genetic Testing ; Health Communication ; Humans ; Nuclear Family ; Parents ; Siblings ; Spouses

PURPOSE: This study was aimed to examine mothers'knowledge about human papillomavirus (HPV)vaccination to prevent cervical cancer in Korea. METHODS: From September 20 to October 10 2011, 101 mothers who have adolescent girls were surveyed with questionnaires about their general characteristics, the knowledge of HPV vaccine, inoculation rate and vaccination-related factors of their daughters. RESULTS: The percentage of correct answers for HPV vaccine knowledge was 24.2% and the HPV vaccination rate was only 5.9%. HPV vaccine knowledge score of the vaccination group was significantly higher than that of the non-vaccinated group. Mothers said that the reasons why they didn't vaccinate their daughters against the HPV was the financial burden, the lack of HPV knowledge, and worries about possible side effects. The participants addressed that they understood the appropriate age for vaccination was sixteen. CONCLUSION: We recommend that more educational and promotional efforts need to be given for mothers in order to improve their knowledge of HPV vaccination and to increase the performance rates of HPV immunization against cervical cancer for their daughters.
Adolescent ; Humans ; Immunization ; Mothers ; Nuclear Family ; Surveys and Questionnaires ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vaccination

PURPOSE: The primary prevention for cervical cancer, the human papilloma virus (HPV) vaccination, has been available in South Korea and its importance has been emphasized publicly. The purpose of this study was to investigate the knowledge regarding HPV vaccination and identify the factors associated with HPV vaccination in female university students. METHODS: A sample of 200 women among university students in Seoul was asked to answer a questionnaire on HPV-related knowledge and attitude, and influencing factors on HPV vaccination. RESULTS: Among the respondents, 12.0% were HPV vaccinated. Overall HPV-related knowledge was low, and knowledge was not different between the vaccinated and unvaccinated groups. The vaccinated group demonstrated a higher score on the knowledge about the place where people could receive HPV vaccination and the cost of the vaccination than that of the unvaccinated group. The major influencing factor on vaccination was the parent's recommendation and the major barrier for vaccination was the cost of the vaccination. CONCLUSION: A broadened public campaign is recommended to increase the knowledge and positive attitude towards HPV vaccination for university female students as well as their parents.
Surveys and Questionnaires ; Female ; Humans ; Hypogonadism ; Mitochondrial Diseases ; Ophthalmoplegia ; Papilloma ; Papillomavirus Vaccines ; Parents ; Primary Prevention ; Republic of Korea ; Uterine Cervical Neoplasms ; Vaccination ; Viruses

PURPOSE: This study analyzed recent trends of instrument usage assessing cognitive function of breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: The researcher collected 64 studies outside the country that were published between January 1996 and August 2010. RESULTS: There was no study on the instrument assessing all domains of cognitive function in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Most instruments assessing cognitive function of breast cancer patients have been used for patients with dementia, depression, and/or organic brain damage. Also the objective neuropsychological tests such as the grooved pegboard for the psychomotor area, RCFT copy in visuospatial skill area and the WAIS-III block design have low sensitivity for measuring cognitive function in breast cancer patients, thus they are not good for applying to breast cancer patients. CONCLUSION: There is a need to develop an instrument which has good sensitivity and specificity for measuring the cognitive function of the breast cancer patients who experienced cognitive impairment after chemotherapy treatment. In addition, the developed instrument needs to be accessible and feasible in any nursing clinical setting for the purpose of accurate assessment and evaluation of the cognitive function among breast cancer patients.
Brain ; Breast ; Breast Neoplasms ; Coat Protein Complex I ; Cognition ; Dementia ; Depression ; Humans ; Neuropsychological Tests ; Sensitivity and Specificity