A Study on the Relationship among Family Support, Stress and Quality of Life on according to the Phases of Illness in Breast Cancer Patients

A qualitative study on stress, coping strategies and feasibility of music intervention among women with cancer receiving chemotherapy during COVID-19 pandemic in Vietnam

Breast and gynaecological cancer (BGC) patients receiving chemotherapy may experience high levels of stress during the COVID-19 pandemic. Music interventions may be effective in lowering their stress levels. This study explored stressors, coping strategies, and the feasibility of music interventions among BGC patients in Vietnam. An exploratory qualitative study with individual face-to-face semi-structured interviews was conducted. A convenience sample of BGC patients receiving chemotherapy was recruited from the oncology centre of a public hospital in Vietnam. Twenty patients were interviewed with open-ended questions developed based on the transactional model of stress and coping to explore stress-causing factors and coping strategies and based on guidelines for music therapy practice to explore their music preferences and perceptions. Field notes and interview transcripts were analysed following the qualitative content analysis approach. Two stressor themes were identified: undesirable experiences during treatment and patients' inability to fulfil their own roles and responsibilities. Our findings revealed a new coping strategy-self-realisation of responsibilities towards the family-that is not listed in the transactional model of stress and coping. Future psychological interventions for stress management among BGC patients should focus on raising the patients' awareness of their values and responsibilities towards their families. Three categories of preferred music genres for stress reduction were identified: religious, softly melodic, and revolutionary music. The patients were aware of the positive effects of music and had different musical preferences. This study also explored the acceptance of music interventions and facilitators and barriers to implementing them among BGC patients in Vietnam. The findings suggest that before implementing music interventions, the musical preferences, religions, and beliefs of each individual should be considered to achieve desirable results. Music interventions for BGC patients receiving chemotherapy in Vietnam are feasible. Further intervention studies are needed to evaluate their effectiveness.

Patients' communication preferences for receiving a cancer diagnosis: Differences depending on cancer stage

OBJECTIVE

This study aimed to identify communication preferences for receiving a cancer diagnosis in South Korean patients and explore differences depending on cancer stage-with or without recurrence/metastasis.

METHODS

A total of 312 patients from five cancer centers in South Korea completed the Korean version of the Measure of Patients' Preferences questionnaire, Mini-Mental Adjustment to Cancer scale, Insomnia Severity Index, and Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

RESULTS

Among patients without recurrence/metastasis, four factors were indicated: "additional information," "medical information," "emotional support," and "supportive environment." Among patients with recurrence/metastasis, five factors were indicated: "medical information and explanation," "emotional support," "supportive environment," "additional information," and "informing family." In the group without recurrence/metastasis, a positive attitude was a significant predictor of the preference for all four factors and a lower anxiety level was a predictor of the preference for additional information. Patients who reported a high level of anxious preoccupation preferred supportive environments. In the group with recurrence/metastasis, patients who showed a high level of cognitive avoidance preferred to receive medical and additional information and emotional support.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer patients' preferences for communication when receiving bad news differ whether recurrence/metastasis or not in South Korea. Especially, patients with recurrence/metastasis preferred a clear explanation of medical information, and physicians informing patients' families about their diagnosis and prognosis. Thus, physicians should take patients' medical and psychological characteristics into consideration when delivering the news regarding their condition.

Stress, Social Support, and Sexual Adjustment in Married Female Patients with Breast Cancer in Korea

OBJECTIVE

This study identified the level of stress, social support, and sexual adjustment in married women with breast cancer in Korea.

METHODS

This study used a subgroup analysis, prospective, cross-sectional, and descriptive correlation design. Data were obtained using the perceived stress scale, multidimensional scale of perceived social support, and sexual adjustment subscale of the Korean version of the psychosocial adjustment to illness scale. From May 2015 to April 2016, 272 married female patients who had been diagnosed with breast cancer were recruited at a university hospital in Korea. Data were analyzed using SPSS Win 21.0.

RESULTS

The mean score of stress level was 17.53 ± 4.13, social support was 5.37 ± 1.07, and sexual adjustment was 6.36 ± 3.29. A significant positive correlation emerged between sexual adjustment and stress (r = 0.161, P = 0.008). Significant negative correlations were observed among sexual adjustment and family support (r = -0.177, P = 0.003) and friends' support (r = -0.205, P = 0.001).

CONCLUSIONS

The assessment of stress level and social support may be used in planning sexual-adjustment interventions appropriate for married female breast cancer patients in Korea.

Menopausal symptoms, sexual function, depression, and quality of life in Korean patients with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to study the relationships among menopausal symptoms, sexual function, depression, and quality of life in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

METHODS

Two hundred women participated in this cross-sectional study. Data were collected with the Menopause Rating Scale (MRS), Female Sexual Function Index (FSFI), Beck Depression Inventory II (BDI-II), and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B). Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-tests, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson product moment correlations using SPSS v. 20.

RESULTS

Participants had alterations in menopausal symptoms and sexual function, and were depressed with a decreased quality of life. These factors are known to influence satisfaction with family support (p < 0.05) and sexual relationships (p < 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Nurses should provide education to women with breast cancer on their sexual issues and encourage them to attend family support programs. They should also encourage family members to be proactive in addressing menopausal and depressive symptoms in these women with a goal to enhance their sexual functioning and quality of life.