• Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society
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• v.17 no.12
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• pp.270-284
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to understand the essential structure and meaning of self-management intervention for breast cancer survivors by using non-pharmacological approaches. The study participants were 10 breast cancer survivors who were completing cancer treatment that involved surgery, chemotherapy, and radiation therapy. Data collected between August 2014 and February 2015 at E Hospital in S city were analyzed by using Colaizzi's phenomenological method. Outcomes were classified into seven essential themes: 1) application of comfort measures to alleviate ongoing symptoms, 2) movement to change physical conditions, 3) special herbal intake to prevent recurrence, 4) a specially designed diet plan for health self-management, 5) constant awareness of complementary and alternative medicine, 6) unmet needs treated by one's own doctor's prescription, and 7) future life toward a nature-friendly environment. The study results contribute to a deeper understanding of self-management interventions in the daily lives of Korean breast cancer survivors. In addition, results provide an essential resource, based on actual self-management styles, that will help survivors to obtain guidance and participate in appropriate programs.

• 한국체육학회지인문사회과학편
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• v.56 no.6
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• pp.541-559
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• 2017

The purpose of this study was to understand breast cancer survivors' line dance program participation experience and their perceived effects. Nine participants were selected by the purposive sampling. In the current study, phenomenological research methods were used and qualitative data were collected through in-depth interviews and observation. The analyses indicated that participants's positive experiences were categorized into physical (physiological change, improved digestive system, sleep quality and cognitive function), psychological (pleasure, vigor, peace, self confidence, and satisfaction) and social (improved mood among family members, peer support and pleasure) benefit. Furthermore, participants enjoyed unique characteristics of line dance such as continuous music and nature of group exercise where they enjoy information sharing and peer support In summary, a line dance program was safe and beneficial for breast cancer survivors and should be recommended as one of exercise options for breast cancer survivors.

• Journal of Sasang Constitutional Medicine
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• v.35 no.4
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• pp.23-41
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• 2023

Objectives This study is aimed to develop criteria for assessing the health level of cancer survivors through patient reported outcome based on sasang constitutional symtomology. Methods As a result of the researchers' meetings and the first round of expert group consultation, the constitutional health level assessment items that would be common to all Sasang constitutions were extracted, and constitutional health level assessment items for cancer survivors were selected. A second round of expert group consultation was conducted to determine the importance and weighting of these items for each constitution. Results & Conclusions For soeumin, the importance ranking and calculated weight were as follows: 'I had sweats even when I was not hot or exercising.(1st, 4.09)', 'I had night sweats while sleeping(2nd, 3.94)', 'I lost weight.(3rd, 3. 75)', etc. For soyangin, as follows: 'I had night sweats while sleeping.(1st, 3.08)', 'I had vomiting.(2nd, 3.02)', 'I felt hot flashes in the afternoon or at night. (3rd, 2.73)', etc. For taeumin, as follows: 'I was out of breath.(1st, 3.48)', 'My heart was pounding for no reason.(2nd, 3.45)', 'My body was swollen.(3rd, 3.22)', etc. For taeyangins, as follows: 'I couldn't urinate well.(1st, 4.49)', 'I vomited(2nd, 4.44).', 'My upper abdomen were hard.(3rd, 3. 14)', etc. Based on the results, we developed a draft of a questionnaire to assess the Sasang constitutional health level of cancer survivors, weighted for each item.

• Korean Journal of Adult Nursing
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• v.28 no.4
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• pp.378-387
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• 2016

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to describe the impact of fatigue and distress on self-efficacy among breast cancer survivors and to provide a base for development of nursing intervention strategy to improve self-efficacy. Methods: A descriptive research design was used. The subjects were 158 patients who were either being treated or were receiving follow-up care at a university breast center in D City from May 30 to August 30, 2014. Structured questionnaires, Revised Piper Fatigue Scale, Distress Thermometer, and Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-Management of Breast Cancer were used to measure fatigue, distress, and self-efficacy. Data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and multiple regressions. Results: The mean scores of fatigue, distress, and self-efficacy were 3.83, 4.31, and 3.77, respectively. There were significant differences among participants in terms of educational background, current treatment methods, perceived health status, economic burden for fatigue and perceived health status for distress. Self-efficacy was impacted by age, educational background, marital status, average monthly income, perceived health status, and medical expenses. Fatigue, age, and the burden on medical expense had the most impact on self-efficacy, accounting for 17% of the variance. Conclusion: Fatigue should be managed to improve self-efficacy of breast cancer survivors. Therefore, nursing programs designed to decrease fatigue may be helpful.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.50 no.6
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• pp.595-602
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• 2017

Purpose: Malnutrition is a major concern in patients with gynecologic cancer receiving chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to evaluate the prognostic significance of malnutrition in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy. Methods: A prospective, observational study was conducted on a total of 99 subjects who were treated at a tertiary hospital in Korea. Data regarding demographic, clinical, nutritional, and psychological characteristics at baseline and survival were obtained. Results: Performance status, nutritional status, depression, and annual income were significantly different between survivors and non-survivors. Multivariate Cox modeling after adjusting for other factors showed that a malnourished status in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy was a significant and independent negative influencing factor for survival. Conclusion: These findings provide evidence that adequate nutritional assessment and intervention may assist in improving survival in patients with gynecologic cancer undergoing chemotherapy.

• Journal of International Academy of Physical Therapy Research
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• v.1 no.2
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• pp.79-90
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• 2010

Breast cancer is the most frequently diagnosed cancer primarily affecting women and negatively impacting the individuals, families, and the health care system. Despite the well-known benefits of exercise for breast cancer survivors, rate of physical activity declines during adjuvant therapy and may not return to pre-diagnosis levels. In addition, low levels of adherence to exercise have been observed in this cohort. The challenge is to identify strategies that are effective in promoting exercise adherence. Several of the studies use social cognitive theory as a theoretical framework to design exercise interventions that encourage adherence. Within and without this framework, they have implemented interventions within the home and gym-based environments. Strategies used to encourage adherence to exercise programs and which are readily implemented in most situations have included distribution of print materials and pedometers, as well as recommendation from the oncologist. Other strategies that may be less feasible have included provision of trainers, gym memberships, regular phone-calls, and psychologist-lead stress management sessions.

• Journal of Hospice and Palliative Care
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• v.14 no.2
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• pp.61-70
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• 2011

Recent advances in techniques and strategies use to detect cancer in its early stages and to treat it effectively has the survival rate of cancer patients and the number of long-term cancer survivors continually increasing. Unfortunately, many cancer survivors are at risk for various late and long-term effects of cancer treatments including the radiotherapy. Long-term cancer survivors can be also seen for a hospice and palliative care because of cancer recurrence and they are at risk of delayed reactions to radiotherapy. So, the understanding and knowledge of radiation reactions is required for the proper medical diagnosis, management, and coordination of the potential reactions that may occur in these care setting. In effort to increase the survival rate in cancer patients and to decrease the adverse effects of cancer treatment, many clinical studies have been and continue to be conducted. The efforts of these studies have thus resulted in the advancement of cancer treatments. Regrettably, the overall interest in how to manage adverse effects of cancer treatment such as radiotherapy appears seemingly low in clinical practice and its advanced studies as a whole are delayed and deficient. It is imperative that the medical community show an enthusiastic interest in the aftercare of cancer patients and cancer survivors in order to create a complementary integrative approach that will eliminate radiotherapy related pain/discomfort or illness in hospice and palliative care settings.

• Clinical and Experimental Pediatrics
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• v.54 no.6
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• pp.253-259
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• 2011

Purpose: Long-term survivors of childhood cancer appear to have an increased risk for the metabolic syndrome, subsequent type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease in adulthood compared to healthy children. The purpose of this study was to investigate the frequency of the metabolic syndrome and associated factors in childhood cancer survivors at a single center in Korea. Methods: We performed a retrospective review of medical records of 98 childhood cancer survivors who were diagnosed and completed anticancer treatment at Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, Korea between Jan. 1996 and Dec. 2007. Parameters of metabolic syndrome were evaluated between Jan. 2008 and Dec. 2009. Clinical and biochemical findings including body fat percentage were analyzed. Results: A total of 19 (19.4%) patients had the metabolic syndrome. The median body fat percentage was 31.5%. The body mass index and waist circumference were positively correlated with the cranial irradiation dose (r=0.38, P<0.001 and r=0.44, P<0.00, respectively). Sixty-one (62.2%) patients had at least one abnormal lipid value. The triglyceride showed significant positive correlation with the body fat percentage (r=0.26, P=0.03). The high density lipoprotein cholesterol showed significant negative correlation with the percent body fat (r=- 0.26, P=0.03). Conclusion: Childhood cancer survivors should have thorough metabolic evaluation including measurement of body fat percentage even if they are not obese. A better understanding of the determinants of the metabolic syndrome during adolescence might provide preventive interventions for improving health outcomes in adulthood.

• Korean Journal of Community Nutrition
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• v.25 no.5
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• pp.406-415
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• 2020

Objectives: The aim of this study was to compare the nutritional intake and Diet Quality Index-International (DQI-I) of gynecological cancer survivors and normal women. Methods: This study compared the anthropometric indices, dietary behavior, nutritional intake, and DQI-I in women with previous history of breast or uterine cancer [Gynecological cancer survivors group (GCSG, n=126)] and normal women [Normal control group (NCG, n=7,011)] using the 2013~2016 Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey data. Results: Body mass index and waist circumference were lower in the GCSG compared the NCG. The frequency of skipping breakfast and eating out was higher in the NCG compared to GCSG. Energy and fat intake were significantly higher in the NCG than in the GCSG, whereas intake of all minerals and vitamins (excluding thiamine), and dietary fiber intake were higher in GCSG. It was observed that the fatty acid intake of the GCSG was significantly lower than that of the NCG. The diet quality evaluation using DQI-I results showed that GCSG was higher in the "within-group" diet variety and adequacy of vegetable group than the NCG, whereas the intake level of the fruit group was higher in NCG. Besides, protein, calcium, and vitamin C intake were higher in the GCSG than in the NCG. The GCSG showed higher levels of total fat and saturated fat moderation than the NCG, whereas cholesterol moderation showed the opposite results. The results of DQI-I comparison according to the cancer survival years showed that the overall score and scores related to diet adequacy and balance were higher in the below 5-year group, whereas the over 5-year group scored higher in terms of moderation of diet. Conclusions: The results of this study suggest that a chronic disease based management approach is needed in cancer survivors. The study provides important data which can help in the preparation of guidelines for long-term lifestyle and diet management, in these patients.

• 한국노년학
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.111-130
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• 2020

This qualitative study aims to understand family members' caregiving experience for middle-aged and elderly breast cancer survivors at early stages. A total of four families of breast cancer survivors were given focus group interviews(FGI), and an additional family was interviewed individually. The thematic analyses of the FGI and individual in-depth interview discussions revealed the following four themes: first, day-to-day feelings like walking on thin ice (entangled emotions with each treatment stage, regret of watching a survivor's pain, fear of recurrence and death, concerns of changes in family relationships, and various feelings experienced as a daughter), second, caregiving has become a mainstay in my life (unfamiliar and unskilled care, losing my life), third, beginning to recover and different experiences between a survivor and a family caregiver (not understanding a survivor's pain from the abyss, forgetting that the survivor is still a cancer patient and that treating him or her casually), and fourth, moving forward (hope that things will be better, taking care of myself to prevent exhaustion). Based on the results of this study, we proposed social welfare services and policy measures to reflect the psychosocial needs of family caregivers of breast cancer survivors and support family caregivers during the care process.