Association of Fatigue, Quality of Life and Functional Capacity in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Introduction:Women undergoing breast cancer treatment experience a number of changes, including loss or deformity of one or both breasts, surgical wounds, skin changes, and weight gain. These changes are very closely related to physical appearance and body image and often lead to reduced mental health, marital quality and psychological stress.Objective: This study aimed to determine the effect of Good Enough Sex (GES) model-based counseling intervention on the body image in women surviving breast cancer. Patients and Methods: This randomized clinical trial was a kind of quantitative study with control group carried out on 100 women (50 women in the intervention group and 50 women in the control group) who randomly entered into the study after completing the informed consent form. The intervention included 4 sessions of 120-190 minute sexual counseling with 2 and 3 months follow-up. The data were collected consisting of demographic characteristics and disease-related information, Body Image Scale (BIS) and analyzed using ANOVA repeated measures. Results: The results showed a statistically significant difference between the mean of body image in the intervention and control groups (P <0.001). Conclusion: The educational and counseling intervention program based on a socio-psychological model was effective in improving the body image among women surviving breast cancer. The inclusion of educational and counseling programs in service centers in this regard has an effective role in the reproductive health of women with breast cancer. Trial Registration: Registration of trial protocol has been approved in Iranian registry of clinical trials (IRCT20120609009975N8, https://en.irct.ir/trial/42030, ethical code; IR.TUMS.FNM.REC.1396.4865).

Section: Discussionsupporting

confidence: 89%

The Effect of Good Enough Sex (GES) Model-Based Sexual Counseling Intervention on the Body Image in Women Surviving Breast Cancer: A Randomized Clinical Trial

Farnam

Khakbazan

Dizaji

et al. 2021

“…This situation encouraging social isolation among cancer survivors from the public (Hinzey et al, 2016) and spend more with sedentary activity. Although cancer survivors may have lost their usual social interaction, they have received support from their family and friends, which influences their emotional well-being (Amarsheda and Bhise 2021). In this study it is possible that the Malay subjects who have more sitting time, also allocate more time to spend with family and friends by eating, chatting, and resting activity.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 91%

“…Zaorsky et al, (2017) also concluded sedentary lifestyle increased the risk of premature death in cancer survivors. In addition, being at an inactive level and long sedentary periods lower the quality of life (Nurnazahiah et al, 2020), the decline in physiological system, initially cardio-respiratory, muscular systems, increase risk of joint immobility, osteoporosis, inbalance, paresthesia and lower back pain (Amarsheda and Bhise, 2021).…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Physical Activity, Sitting Time, and Quality of Life among Breast and Gynaecology Cancer Survivors

Zainordin

Karim

Shahril

et al. 2021

Background: Increasing physical activity and reducing sitting time was recommended to cancer survivors after cancer treatment for sustained health and to enhance the quality of life. This study aimed to determine the association of physical activity and sitting time with quality of life among the Malay breast and gynaecological cancer survivors. Methods: A cross-sectional study was conducted among 95 breast and gynaecology cancer survivor subjects. The Malay International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ) was used to assess physical activity and sitting time. Quality of life was assessed using the Malay EORTC QLQ-C30 questionnaire. Sociodemographic, clinical characteristics and anthropometric measurements were also obtained in this study. Results: The mean age of the subject was 51.8 ± 7.7 years old and the duration of survivorship was 4.3 ± 3.4 years. A total of 76.8% of subjects were categorized as having low physical activity level with a mean MET 403.5 ± 332.7 minutes/week and sitting time of 416.9 ± 151.0 minutes/ day. Overall, subjects aged 50 years and above (p=0.006), widowed (p=0.032), retired (p=0.029) and had other noncommunicable diseases (p=0.005) showed lower levels of physical activity. Increased physical activity had a positive effect on physical function (r=0.2, p=0.038), reduced insomnia (r=-0.3, p<0.001) and constipation symptoms (r=-0.3, p=0.012) domains of quality of life. The longer the sitting period showed more severe insomnia symptoms (r=0.2, p=0.03) but improved social function (r=0.2, p=0.012). Conclusions: Increasing physical activity and reducing sitting time have a positive effect on the quality of life of cancer survivors. The focus of health education should be prioritized to older adults (50 years and above), widows, retirees, and those with other comorbidities as they are at risk of being not physically active.

“…A weak-positive correlation found between physical versus functional domain (r = 0.279, P = 0.041). Another study on cancer patients' symptom interference and the relationship between domains of QOL found a statistically significant positive correlation between the domains of general well-being and physical well-being, as well as psychological well-being (r = 0.195, P = 0.001), sexual and personal abilities (r = 0.278, P = 0.001), and body image (r = 0.168, P = 0.001) and also fatigue is having strong association with QOL (Amarsheda and Bhise, 2021).…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 90%

Effectiveness of Symptom Management Intervention for Improving the QOL of Cancer Patients

Nayak

George

2023

As the life expectancy of cancer patients is increasing, their health-related quality of life and the care they get are becoming increasingly important (Nagarathna AbstractBackground: Managing the symptoms of cancer patients is challenging for health care providers and interventions individually designed are required to improve the quality of life (QOL) of cancer patients. Objective: to assess the efficacy of symptom management intervention on symptom reduction and the QOL of cancer patients. Methods: A Quasi-experimental study using pre and post-test design was conducted among 200 cancer patients selected by a convenient sampling technique from the selected cancer hospitals. The intervention group received symptom management intervention and the control group received routine clinical care. The data were collected from individuals who had been diagnosed with breast/head and neck cancer and were in the third or fourth stages of cancer, using symptom assessment and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT) QOL tool. After the pre-test, symptom management intervention was provided, and a post-test was conducted at one month and three months after the intervention. Results: The mean age was 50.93 years among the participants. Fifty-two percent and 68% of them were in stage IV cancer in the intervention group and control group respectively. The mean QOL score of head and Neck cancers in the intervention group increased from 20.76 (1.82) to 97.03 (3.33) and the mean scores of QOL of breast cancer patients in the intervention group increased from 22.44 (2.92) to 94.39 (8.30). Repeated measure ANOVA showed that the intervention program was effective in enhancing symptom reduction and QOL among cancer patients (Head and Neck cancers F (1.3, 114) =391.62, p< 0.001 and Breast cancer F (1, 75) =177.41.41, p=.001). Conclusion: Nurses play a vital role in providing care to cancer patients and improving their quality of life since nurses are more involved in care.