• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.289-296
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• 2012

Purpose: The purposes of this study were to find the levels of distress and quality of life of breast cancer survivors in Korea and to identify relationship between distress and quality of life. Methods: The data were collected from 122 breast cancer survivors in 2009. To measure the distress and quality of life, the 'Distress Thermometer and Problem List' and the 'Functional Assessment Cancer Therapy-Breast' were used respectively. Results: The mean score of distress was 4.77 (${\pm}2.35$) and 63.1% of the subjects reported a distress score of 4 or more, indicating a clinically significant level of distress. Among these, the most frequently reported problem area was emotion, followed by family. The mean score of the quality of life was 88.22 (${\pm}18.41$), signifying 6.13 out of 10. The levels of distress and the quality of life were negatively correlated (r=-.38, p<.001). Conclusion: The results of the study indicate that distress is prevalent in Korean breast cancer survivors and the distress is related negatively with their quality of life. Thus oncology professionals continuously need to assess distress of breast cancer survivors and to provide appropriate psychosocial interventions to improve their quality of life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.2043-2048
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• 2013

The purpose of this study mas to profile older breast cancer survivors in Malaysia. In a survey study, a custom made questionnaire was administered to 69 breast cancer patients and survivors between 60 and 84 years of age in Peninsular Malaysia. The main ethnic group recorded was Chinese, followed by Malay and Indian. The majority of women were married (87%) and had children (84.1%). Just over half (53.6%) had primary and secondary education, whereas 24.7% had higher education. Fifty five percent of the study participants made their own decision on treatment, 60.8% exercised at least 3 times in a week, and 56.6% sought information from specialists. Our study suggests that older breast cancer survivors are aware of the importance of exercise in their daily lives and make attempts to be cancer free (e.g. doing exercise, recreational activity and have good relationships with friends and family).

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.38 no.2
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• pp.187-194
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was to identify behaviors preventing the recurrence of breast cancer and the level of quality of life. Methods: This descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from November 1, 2006 to December 25, 2006. One hundred and twenty two women breast cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling. Results: The most frequent behavior for preventing recurrence of the breast cancer was dietary treatment (90.9%) and exercise (86.8%) was the second behavior. In addition, most of them perceived these behaviors as 'very effective' (82.8%). The degree of the quality of life of a breast cancer survivor was 5.34 point indicating a 'medium level'. Conclusion: Breast cancer survivors pursued various behaviors for preventing recurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, the nursing interventions should be focused on a systematic educational approach considering healthy behaviors to prevent breast cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors.

• Women's Health Nursing
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• v.19 no.3
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• pp.153-165
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• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to review the literature on intervention for breast cancer survivors and their partners. Methods: The literature search was performed using MEDLINE, Pubmed, and Proquest to summarize the current state of knowledge regarding intervention for breast cancer survivors and their partners. Articles published between January 2000 and December 2011 were included. Results: A total of 14 studies were identified. Couple-base d intervention was more effective than intervention for survivors alone. Intervention to partners had also effects on their wives. Most studies were conducted in USA with Caucasian women. Sample size of intervention studies was small with most being pilot studies. Conclusion: Providing couple-based intervention to breast cancer survivors could have positive impacts on physical, interpersonal, and social aspects in breast cancer survivors. Future studies with large sample and different ethnicity are needed to confirm the effects of couple-based interventions for breast cancer survivors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4789-4792
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• 2012

Aims: The purpose of this study was to investigate complementary and alternative medicine use among breast cancer survivors in Taiwan. Materials and Methods: This study employed a descriptive research design approach to detail the CAM use among the target population. Convenience sampling was used along with a structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 230 breast cancer survivors completed the use CAM scale. Prayer, reading books, taking antioxidants, eating various grains, and maintaining a vegetarian diet proved to be the five most frequently used CAM practices among patients in our study. More than 50.0% of the participants reported praying occasionally. More than 40.0% of participants read books occasionally, and 38.7% stated that they occasionally take antioxidants. Conclusions: These results provide more insight into CAM use for nurses who care for breast cancer patients.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.57 no.2
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• pp.611-624
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• 2018

The purpose of the present study was to investigate the exercise program preference of breast cancer survivors. The qualitative data on group exercise participation experiences of ten participants was acquired through in-depth interviews, and participant observation, using the thematic analysis. As a result, 4 themes indicated the preference of breast cancer survivors: (1) Supervised Exercise, (2) Group Exercise, (3) Specialized exercise program for breast cancer survivors, and (4) Enjoyment factor. First, the participating breast cancer survivors showed a preference towards supervised exercise by responding that a exercise specialist is needed along with a personalized exercise program. Second, breast cancer survivors preferred to participate in group exercise programs. Participants preferred to exercise with other breast cancer survivors and mentioned that group exercises cause a synergy effect that promotes exercise participation. Third, the participant's responses showed anticipation of and preference for a specialized exercise program for breast cancer survivors. Lastly, an important factor influencing the preference of breast cancer survivors was the enjoyment factor. Participants preferred enjoyable exercises and the most prevalent enjoyment factors included the element of music and self-felt enjoyment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.8
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• pp.3091-3096
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• 2015

Worldwide, breast cancer is the most common malignant neoplasm and the second most common cause of cancer death in women. This malignancy is recognized to be estrogen-dependent and due to this feature, hormone replacement therapy is regarded as potentially dangerous in breast cancer survivors who seek relief of their menopausal symptoms. Whereas hot flashes are detected in nearly half of postmenopausal women with a relatively high frequency and severity, botanic sources of estrogens have been proposed as an alternative treatment. Nevertheless, estrogenic properties of these compounds suggest possibility of stimulating cancer recurrence or worsening prognosis in survivors. As well, effects in improving vasomotor climacteric changes is controversial. Many studies have considered the subject, some focusing on efficacy of phytoestrogens for control of menopausal symptoms, and others discussing effects of these compounds on breast cancer outcome in terms of survival or recurrence. The present article is a concise review of the effects of consumption of phytoestrogens on menopausal symptoms, namely hot flashes, and breast cancer recurrence and mortality in survivors of the disease. Overall, the major part of the current existing literature is in favor of positive effects of phytoestrogens on breast cancer prognosis, but the efficacy on menopausal symptoms is probably minimal at the best.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.9
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• pp.4769-4772
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• 2012

Aims: The purpose of the present study was to investigate healthy lifestyle changes during the period before and after breast cancer diagnosis in Taiwan. Materials and Method: Lifestyle changes during the period before and after cancer diagnosis were assessed by convenience sampling with a structured questionnaire for breast cancer survivors. Results: A total of 235 breast cancer survivors completed the healthy lifestyle scale. The mean values before and after breast cancer diagnosis of the participants were 3.27 and 3.73. The final five dimensions for the period before breast cancer diagnosis were: had not experienced stress; had exercised; had maintained sleep quality; had maintained body weight; and had maintained relationships. The final five dimensions for the period after breast cancer diagnosis were: sleep quality; had not experienced stress; relationship; had exercised; and had maintained body weight. A paired-t test was applied to examine the differences before and after cancer diagnosis, revealing that the total average scores of the participants on the healthy lifestyle scale clearly differed statistically (t= -17.20, p<0.01); and the nine dimensions before and after testing also demonstrate a marked statistical difference (p<0.01). Conclusions: These findings are helpful in understanding the healthy lifestyle changes during the period before and after cancer diagnosis among breast cancer survivors. It is expected that these results can offer references of self-care for this group of patients.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.7
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• pp.3195-3201
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• 2012

Aims: This study was designed to describe the personal life experiences of breast cancer survivors regarding their efforts to recover and preserve their health in Taiwan. Method: The study utilized a qualitative research method, wherein purposive sampling, one-on-one, face-to-face, in-depth semi-structured interviews were conducted. The data were then analyzed using content analysis. Data were saturated after interviewing 15 cancer survivors. Results: Three common themes emerged: introspection on the cause of the cancer, realization of a harmonized lifestyle, and reflecting on the strong will to survive. Conclusions: These findings are helpful in understanding the relationship between breast cancer survival and individual efforts to restore and preserve health.

• The Research Journal of the Costume Culture
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• v.24 no.6
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• pp.886-902
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• 2016

This study investigated multidimensional body image, self-esteem, clothing benefits sought, and Body Image After Breast Cancer (BIABC) within surgical subgroups among breast cancer survivors. The study applied the questionnaire survey method and the main research was conducted through an online survey. The respondents included 207 breast cancer survivors between the ages of 30 and 59, each of whom received the Multidimensional Body-Self Relations Questionnaire (MBSRQ). Self-esteem, clothing benefits sought, examination, and demographic variables were measured using a 5-point Likert scale. The main results of this study are outlined below. For clothing benefit sought, six factors were formulated-pursuit of self-expression/social approval, function/health, compensation, femininity, fashion, and camouflage-and BIABC was defined by the four factors of body stigma/vulnerability, transparency, limitation and cancer concern. While MBSRQ and self-esteem did not show a statistically significant difference between groups differentiated by the surgical methods experienced, those who underwent mastectomies scored slightly lower than members of the other groups. Moreover, the reconstruction after mastectomy group showed the highest mean on self-expression/social approval, compensation, femininity and entire clothing benefits sought, followed by the lumpectomy group and mastectomy group. The lumpectomy group was found to have more positive BIABC than the mastectomy group. In particular, the mastectomy group showed a lower body stigma/vulnerability mean than the other groups. This study is meaningful in that it improves our understanding of the body image of breast cancer survivors and provides basic knowledge for developing products and marketing strategies for breast cancer survivors as consumers.