Physical activity and cancer: A growing evidence base

The 22-Item Benefit Finding Scale: Validation and Application among Patients with Cervical Cancer in Ethnic Minority Areas of Southwestern China

Recently, the Benefit Finding Scale (BFS) has been translated and culturally adapted for use in China. However, further validation of the instrument is required before it can be used in the management of patients with cervical cancer in China. In this study, we conducted the questionnaire survey and examined its properties. This methodological study was conducted at a tumor hospital located in southwestern China. Patients with cervical cancer who had been reexamined in the outpatient department of the hospital and hospitalized from June to August 2019 were selected. The item analysis, exploratory factor analysis (EFA), and reliability analysis were tested. The relationships between benefit finding and sociodemographic and disease-related variables were analyzed by ANOVA and regression models. A total of 247 patients were assessed (mean age: 48.0 ± 13.3 years). Educational level, self-perceived disease severity, and physical exercise were the predictors of benefit finding. The correlation coefficient between 22 items and their dimensions was the best. EFA analysis supported a five-factor model for structure validity. All Cronbach's alpha for the Chinese version of the BFS (BFS-C) was greater than 0.80. The results demonstrated the good reliability and validity of BFS-C. It appears to be a useful scale to assess experience of benefit finding among patients with cervical cancer in China.

Benefit Finding and Related Factors of Patients with Early-Stage Cancer in China

(1) Background: Although the research on benefit finding (BF) in China has increased in recent years, it remains in its infancy. Few previous studies have focused on early-stage cancer patients. Therefore, this research study aimed to explore BF and its influencing factors for early-stage cancer patients in China. (2) Methods: From April to August 2019, 319 patients with early-stage cancer in the treatment period were selected by the convenience sampling method and evaluated using the Benefit Finding of Cancer Patients Scale-Chinese (BFS-C), Perceived Social Support Scale (PSSS), and Medical Coping Modes Questionnaire (MCMQ). (3) Results: The mean BF score was 47.57 (SD = 12.26). The results of the correlation analysis show that benefit finding was positively correlated with social support, but negatively correlated with acceptance-resignation. In addition, social support was negatively correlated with avoidance and acceptance-resignation. The results of the multiple linear regression indicate that the variables of self-assessment of disease severity, exercise time, coping mode (acceptance-resignation), and social support, affect BF. Finally, social support was shown to exert an intermediary effect on acceptance-resignation and BF. (4) Conclusions: In this study, the score of BF of patients with early-stage cancer was low. Medical staff should be more aware of the health behavior of patients with early-stage cancer, guide them to actively face the disease, and fully mobilize the social support of patients’ friends and family, so as to help patients increase their disease BF.