Experiences of Turkish survivors of breast cancer: Neuman systems model perspective

Relationship of sleep-quality and social-anxiety in patients with breast cancer: a network analysis

BACKGROUND

There is a complex relationship between social anxiety and sleep quality. However, network analysis studies of associations between social anxiety and sleep quality are lacking, particularly among patients with breast cancer. The current study aimed to extend this research to a sample of patients with breast cancer and to examine symptom-level associations between social anxiety and sleep quality using network analysis.

METHODS

Network analysis was conducted to explore their associations and identify bridge items of social anxiety and sleep quality.

RESULTS

The network structure revealed 9 important edges between social anxiety and sleep quality. "Subjective sleep quality" had the highest EI value in the network. "Working difficulty under watching" and "Sleep disorders" had the highest BEI values in their own communities.

CONCLUSION

There are complex pathological correlation pathways between social anxiety and sleep quality in breast cancer patients. "Subjective sleep quality", "Working difficulty under watching" and "Sleep disorders" have the potential to be intervention targets for sleep disorder-social anxiety comorbidity. Medical staff can take corresponding interventions according to the the centrality indices and bridge centrality indicators identified in this study, which is likely to effectively reduce the comorbidity of sleep disorders and social anxiety.

Treatment burden in individuals living with and beyond cancer: A systematic review of qualitative literature

BACKGROUND

Individuals with cancer are being given increasing responsibility for the self-management of their health and illness. In other chronic diseases, individuals who experience treatment burden are at risk of poorer health outcomes. Less is known about treatment burden and its impact on individuals with cancer. This systematic review investigated perceptions of treatment burden in individuals living with and beyond cancer.

METHODS AND FINDINGS

Medline, CINAHL and EMBASE databases were searched for qualitative studies that explored treatment burden in individuals with a diagnosis of breast, prostate, colorectal, or lung cancer at any stage of their diagnostic/treatment trajectory. Descriptive and thematic analyses were conducted. Study quality was assessed using a modified CASP checklist. The review protocol was registered on PROSPERO (CRD42021145601). Forty-eight studies were included. Health management after cancer involved cognitive, practical, and relational work for patients. Individuals were motivated to perform health management work to improve life-expectancy, manage symptoms, and regain a sense of normality. Performing health care work could be empowering and gave individuals a sense of control. Treatment burden occurred when there was a mismatch between the resources needed for health management and their availability. Individuals with chronic and severe symptoms, financial challenges, language barriers, and limited social support are particularly at risk of treatment burden. For those with advanced cancer, consumption of time and energy by health care work is a significant burden.

CONCLUSION

Treatment burden could be an important mediator of inequities in cancer outcomes. Many of the factors leading to treatment burden in individuals with cancer are potentially modifiable. Clinicians should consider carefully what they are asking or expecting patients to do, and the resources required, including how much patient time will be consumed.

Posttreatment Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors in Turkey: A Qualitative Study

OBJECTIVES

This study aimed to explore the posttreatment experiences of breast cancer survivors in Turkey.

DATA SOURCES

The study was conducted in Turkey between February 2020 and April 2020 with 18 breast cancer survivors who completed the treatment process. The data were collected using the individual in-depth interview method with the semi-structured interview form. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used to report the study.

CONCLUSION

Four main themes emerged in the study which are symptom management, emotional responses, change in life, and challenges in health care. The cancer survivors in Turkey reported that moral values had more meaning for them after treatment, they started to feel extremely worried about their children, they tried to manage their own processes with the information they themselves gained and with some support systems, and they experienced radical changes in their family and social relations. In addition, cancer survivors criticized the inadequacy of health care services, including relapse follow-up after the treatment process.

IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE

This study provides an overview of the lived experiences of posttreatment breast cancer survivors in Turkey. The findings of this study can be used to better understand breast cancer survivors, identify their needs based on their experience, and develop interventions to improve patient outcomes.

Fear of cancer recurrence and coping attitudes of breast cancer survivors

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to determine the fear of cancer recurrence levels and coping orientation of breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

This descriptive exploratory study was conducted using a web-based online survey. This article is written using the STROBE checklist. The study was completed with 204 women participants. Data were collected using the 'Demographic and Clinical Information Form', 'Fear of Cancer Recurrence Inventory (FCRI)' and 'Coping Orientation to Problems Experienced Inventory-Revised (COPE-R)'.

RESULTS

FCRI total score average within the scope of the study was calculated as 42.00 ± 18.88. Women's COPE-R total score average is 80.62 ± 13.20. There was a positive correlation between FCRI total score and COPE-R (r = 0.183, p = 0.009). According to the results of multiple linear regression analysis, age, education level, CAM usage, getting psychological support and COPE-R subscales (accommodation, avoidance, self-punishment) were associated with FCRI total score.

CONCLUSIONS

The fear of cancer recurrence experienced by breast cancer survivors was associated with their coping orientation. Determining the fear of cancer recurrence level and coping orientation of breast cancer survivors by healthcare professionals will guide the reduction of women's fear of cancer recurrence and further the development of adaptive coping orientation.

Health-related quality of life and social constraints among Chinese breast cancer patients: a cross-sectional study

BACKGROUND

Most research studying social constraints has been performed among Caucasian or Asian American breast cancer (BC) patients, but few studies have evaluated social constraint levels and explored the effect of social constraints on the integrative health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of Chinese BC patients. Therefore, our study aimed to examine the association of social constraints with HRQOL among Chinese women with BC.

METHODS

This was a cross-sectional study of 136 Chinese women diagnosed with BC in Liaoning Province, China, from December 2020 to May 2021. Questionnaire information contained HRQOL, social constraints, social support, social stigma, and sociodemographic and clinical characteristics. Multiple linear regression was used to analyse the association of psychological factors with HRQOL.

RESULTS

The mean score of FACT-B was 96.05 (SD = 18.70). After controlling for potential confounders, social constraints (Beta =  - 0.301, P < 0.001) and social stigma (Beta =  - 0.241, P = 0.001) were negatively associated with HRQOL and social support (Beta = 0.330, P < 0.001) was positively associated with HRQOL, which explained 44.3% of the variance in HRQOL.

CONCLUSIONS

The findings of the current study suggest that Chinese BC patients' HRQOL needs to be enhanced after treatment. Social constraints have a strong association with HRQOL. Intervention strategies focusing on less personal disclosure should be considered to avoid social constraints and improve HRQOL among Chinese patients with BC.

Neuman Systems Model With Nurse-Led Interprofessional Collaborative Practice

The Neuman Systems Model was developed to create a structure to depict nursing clients as complex systems, in constant energy exchange with their environments, comprised of multiple interrelated parts. It has been widely used in practice, education, research, and administration. An analysis of the theory, based upon Meleis' methods, was conducted. The theory has high utility and a large circle of contagiousness despite its complexity, lack of teleology, and level of abstractness. Based upon this analysis, a new model entitled the Neuman Systems Model Perspective of Nurse-Led Interprofessional Collaborative Practice has been created to provide a framework for the care of community-dwelling older adults. As a first step in its development, this new model will be used to guide a mixed-methods study evaluating an interprofessional collaborative practice intervention for community-dwelling older adults.

After the Psychoeducational Intervention: Turkish Breast Cancer Survivors' Experiences

OBJECTIVE

To explore breast cancer survivors' life experiences and perceptions about participating in a psychoeducational intervention that aimed at reducing psychological distress and in improvement of the quality of life.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

This study was a post-trial qualitative descriptive study. Data were collected at semi-structured interviews three months after the psychoeducational intervention. Interviews were conducted with 32 Turkish breast cancer survivors. Obtained data were analyzed with inductive content analysis.

RESULTS

The data were categorized into three themes: personal growth, unmet needs and recommendations about the quality of the psychoeducation. Survivors explained that they had positive changes in their self-concept, view of life and relationships after the psychoeducational intervention. In addition, they mentioned the unmet needs to join support groups and raise public awareness to decrease stigma over breast cancer patients in the society.

CONCLUSION

The results of the present study provide new insights into experiences of breast cancer survivors who participated a psychoeducational intervention and provide guidance for attempts to improve survivorship care via psychoeducation to professionals. Psychoeducational interventions should be continuously offered to provide psychosocial support for breast cancer survivors. Future research into psychoeducation for breast cancer survivors should be restructured to involve social support.

Fear of Recurrence in Turkish Breast Cancer Survivors: A Qualitative Study

Purpose: Fear of recurrence (FOR) of cancer is a distressing symptom and can negatively affect breast cancer survivors’ quality of life and psychological well-being. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore Turkish breast cancer survivors’ experiences related to FOR. Design: The data were collected through semistructured interviews, which were conducted with 12 breast cancer survivors. Results: The data were categorized into four themes: the quality of fear, triggers, effects on life, and coping. FOR survivors’ lives in multiple aspects, and the women found it difficult to manage their fear. Implications: Nurses should be aware of FOR in survivors during follow-up care. In addition, it is essential to consider the impact of FOR on life, and survivors should be referred to appropriate resources and support services.