Browse > Article
http://dx.doi.org/10.15204/jkobgy.2017.30.1.085

Experiences of Treatment-Related Side Effects and Supportive Care with Korean Medicine in Women with Breast Cancer - A Focus Group Study  

Han, Sola (College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University)
Jang, Bo-Hyoung (College of Korean Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Hwang, Deok-Sang (College of Korean Medicine, Kyung-Hee University)
Suh, Hae Sun (College of Pharmacy, Pusan National University)
Publication Information
The Journal of Korean Obstetrics and Gynecology / v.30, no.1, 2017 , pp. 85-94 More about this Journal
Abstract
Objectives: To explore experiences of treatment-related side effects and supportive care among Korean breast cancer survivors (BCS). Methods: Focus group interview was conducted with six Korean women with breast cancer. Participants were recruited through snow-balling. Interview was audio-recorded and transcribed verbatim. NVivo-11 was used to code the data into themes. Results: Two major themes were identified: (1) experiences of Western medicine, including treatment, side effects, needs and costs; (2) experiences of supportive care with Korean medicine, including the same as above. All participants experienced Western medicine in treatment phase and reported impairment of physical, emotional, and social functioning during and after Western medicine treatment. Only three participants used Korean medicine after treatments end. The negative responses from Western medicine doctors were the most important factor keeping participants from accessing Korean medicine when treatment-related side effects occurred. For this reason, some participants used Korean medicine without disclosure. Participants usually acquired information about Korean medicine from online community or other BCS, which was another important factor because it raised concerns about side effects and credibility of Korean medicine. High cost was also reported as barrier in using Korean medicine. During the cancer treatment, participants tended to endure their treatment-related side effects. Conclusions: Korean BCS may be at high risk of physical or emotional distress during treatment period. Findings suggest that there is a high need for supportive care to relieve treatment-related side effects and improve patients' quality-of-life. Furthermore, developing a systematic guidance or credible information sources should be warranted to help patients find the best supportive care options including Korean medicine.
Keywords
Breast Neoplasms; Focus Groups; Korean Traditional Medicine; Integrative Medicine; Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; Health Expenditures;
Citations & Related Records
Times Cited By KSCI : 6  (Citation Analysis)
연도 인용수 순위
1 Oh CM, et al. Cancer statistics in Korea:incidence, mortality, survival, and prevalence in 2013. Cancer Res Treat. 2016;48(2):436.   DOI
2 Seo JY, Yi M. Distress and Quality of Life in Cancer Patients Receiving Chemotherapy. Asian Oncol Nurs. 2015;15(1):18-27.   DOI
3 Kim JW. Complementary therapies and cancer treatment. J Korean Med Assoc. 2008;51(5):427-34.   DOI
4 Lee SJ. Evidence based complementary medicine. Korean J Pediatr. 2005;48(9):915-9.
5 Greenlee H, et al. Clinical practice guidelines on the use of integrative therapies as supportive care in patients treated for breast cancer. J Natl Cancer Inst Monogr. 2014;50:346-58.
6 Choi YJ, Lee JS, Cho SH. Use of Korean Medicine among Cancer Patients. J Korean Oriental Med. 2012;33(3):46-53.
7 Krueger RA, Casey MA. Focus groups: A practical guide for applied research. 5th ed. Thousand Oaks:Sage publications. 2015:2-87.
8 Hsieh HF, Shannon SE. Three approaches to qualitative content analysis. Qual Health Res. 2005;15(9):1277-88.   DOI
9 Wang JW, et al. Cancer survivors’ perspectives and experience on western medicine and traditional Chinese medicine treatment and rehabilitation: A Qualitative Study. Patient Prefer Adherence. 2015;9:9-16.
10 Shim JH, Park KS. A Study on Quality of Life of those who have Breast Cancer Patients taking Chemotherapy. J Korean Acad Adult Nurs. 2004;16(1):49-59.
11 Chung HJ, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine in patients with breast cancer. J Breast Cancer. 2006;9(4):361-6.   DOI
12 Lee SI, et al. Complementary and alternative medicine use in Korea: prevalence, pattern of use, and outof- pocket expenditures. Korean J Prev Med. 1999;32(4):546-55.
13 Chang SB, et al. A study of complementary and alternative medicine used by cancer patients in Korea. Korean J Adult Nurs. 2006;18(1):92-101.
14 Shin DW, et al. Oncologists experience with second primary cancer screening: current practices and barriers and potential solutions. Asian Pac J Cancer Preven. 2012;13(2):671-6.   DOI
15 Shin DW, Sunwoo S, Lee J. Management of cancer survivors in Korea. J Korean Med Assoc. 2015;58(3):216-26.   DOI
16 Son MS, Seong SC. 2015 National Health Insurance Statistical Yearbook. Seoul:Health Insurance Review & Assessment Service and National Health Insurance Service. 2016:51-61.
17 Shen J, et al. Electroacupuncture for control of myeloablative chemotherapy -Induced emesis: A randomized controlled trial. JAMA. 2000;284(21):2755-61.   DOI
18 Dibble SL, et al. Acupressure for chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting: a randomized clinical trial. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2007;34(4):813-20.
19 Tae YS, et al. Endless Management of Mind and Body for Healing: The Process of Pursuing Complementary and Alternative Medicine in Patients with Breast Cancer. Korean J Adult Nurs. 2015;27(6):728-41.   DOI
20 Choi MS, Kim DI. A study on the survey for the Application Status and the Improvement of Oriental Medical Health Insurance for the Ob & Gy Disease. J Orient Obstet Gynecol. 2007;20(1):239-57.