• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7685-7692
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• 2013

Background: Management of hypertension and diabetes in cancer survivors is an important issue; however, not much is known about the level of management of such chronic disease in Korea. This study therefore assessed the prevalence, awareness, control, and treatment of hypertension and diabetes in Korean cancer survivors compared to non-cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional design was employed, wherein data were obtained from standardized questionnaires completed by 943 cancer survivors and 41,233 non-cancer survivors who participated in the Fourth and Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2007-2011). We calculated adjusted proportions for prevalence and management of hypertension and diabetes in non-cancer survivors and cancer survivors. We also assessed the associated factors with prevalence and management of cancer survivors. Results: Cancer survivors are more likely than the general population to have higher prevalence, awareness, treatment, and control of hypertension. However, diabetic management was not significantly higher in cancer survivors than in non-cancer survivors, despite their having a higher prevalence. Several factors, such as, age, drinking, years since cancer diagnosis, self-perceived health status, and specific cancer types were found to affect to management of hypertension and diabetes. Conclusions: These data suggest that cancer survivors appear to be better than non-cancer survivors at management of hypertension, but not diabetes. There is a need for healthcare providers to recognize the importance of long-term chronic disease management for cancer survivors and for the care model to be shared between primary care physicians and oncologists.

• International Journal of Advanced Culture Technology
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• v.8 no.4
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• pp.220-228
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• 2020

Breast cancer incidence continues to increase, and survival rates are also increasing compared to the past. An increase in breast cancer survivors means an increase in the number of women who return to their life after treatment. These patients feared cancer recurrence, which makes it an important aspect to be studied among breast cancer survivors. Therefore, this study was aimed at analyzing the concept of breast cancer survivors' fear of recurrence. The procedure of concept analysis developed by Walker and Avant (2011) was used to clarify and describe the concept. Studies published from 2007 to 2017 were searched through domestic and foreign electronic databases. Finally, 15 studies were selected and included in analysis. Through concept analysis, the scope of use of the fear of recurrence among breast cancer survivors was confirmed, and concept analysis was performed to confirm the antecedent, consequences, attributes and empirical criteria. Based on the analysis, the attributes of the fear of recurrence among breast cancer survivors included 1) worry about health status, 2) ineffective coping, and 3) possibility of changes. The antecedents of the fear of recurrence among breast cancer survivors were 1) healthcare-related activity, 2) perception of cancer, and 3) perceived severity; the consequences were 1) increase in distress, 2) difficulty in role function, and 3) decrease in the quality of life. This study provides a clear definition of the fear of recurrence among breast cancer survivors, and the results can be applied to improve the understanding of breast cancer survivors who have finished treatment and to help them return to daily life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.8
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• pp.4743-4750
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• 2013

Background: Identifying and managing osteoporosis among cancer survivors is an important issue, yet little is known about the bone health of cancer survivors in Korea. This study was designed to measure the prevalence of osteoporosis and to assess related factors among Korean cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: This study was designed as a cross-sectional analysis. Data were obtained from dual energy X-ray absorptiometry measurement of the lumbar vertebrae and femoral neck, and from standardized questionnaires among 556 cancer survivors and 17,623 non-cancer controls who participated in the Fourth and Fifth Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Surveys (2008-2011). We calculated adjusted proportions of osteoporosis in non-cancer controls vs. cancer survivors, and we performed multivariate logistic regression analysis. Results: The prevalence of osteoporosis among cancer survivors was significant higher than that of the non-cancer controls after adjusting for related factors. Furthermore, osteoporosis among cancer survivors was higher in elderly subjects (60-69 years : adjusted odds ratio (aOR) 3.04, 95% CI : 1.16-8.00, ${\geq}70$ years : aOR 6.60, 95% CI 2.20-19.79), in female cancer survivors (aOR: 7.03, 95% CI: 1.88-26.28), and in a group with lower monthly income (aOR: 3.38, 95% CI: 1.31-8.71). In male cancer survivors, underweight and lower calcium intake were risk factors. Conclusions: These data suggest that the osteoporosis among cancer survivors varies according to non-oncologic and oncologic factors. Effective screening should be applied, and a sufficient and comprehensive management should be matched to individual cancer survivors early after cancer treatment.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.13 no.8
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• pp.3889-3892
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• 2012

Aims: The purposes of this study were to (1) to identify the causes of cancer in breast cancer survivors in Taiwan; and (2) to investigate the influence of demographic characteristics and breast cancer-related factors on the cause of cancer. Materials and method: This study details the related investigative results on survivors with breast cancer using a descriptive and correlational design. A convenience sampling approach was employed. A structured questionnaire was used to assess the participants. Results: A total of 230 breast cancer survivors completed the questionnaire. Low-scoring cause of cancer participants were older adults (OR = 2.49, p<0.05) who were already of menopausal status (OR = 2.28, p < 0.05). Around 72% of particpants agreed high responsibility. Our breast cancer survivors felt stress had caused their breast cancer. Conclusion: These findings are helpful in understanding the relationship between cause of cancer and related factors in breast cancer survivors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.7
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• pp.2739-2743
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• 2015

Background: More than 1 million cancer survivors reside in Korea. We here investigated activity limitations of cancer survivors compared to controls without a history of cancer. Materials and Methods: Using the 4th and 5th Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (2007-2012) data, we identified 1,155 adult cancer survivors. Activity limitations were defined as limitation in activities of daily living, experience of lying in a sickbed, and number of days lying in a sickbed during the last month. Descriptive analysis and multiple logistic regression compared these measures for survivors and controls by sex and age groups. Results: Approximately 29.4% of cancer survivors reported limitation in activities of daily living, 14.6% experienced lying in a sickbed, and 4.3% experienced more than 15 days lying in a sickbed during the last month. After controlling for demographic and health-related factors, cancer survivors were more likely to report activity limitation than controls. The associations were similar across sex and age groups. Conclusions: Cancer survivors have increased activity limitation compared to controls and these limitations persist across sex and age. Targeted interventions and improved management are essential for improving cancer survivor daily life.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.3
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• pp.1773-1780
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• 2013

Background: This study was designed to evaluate prevalence of the metabolic syndrome among cancer survivors compared to non-cancer controls from a population-based sample and to identify associated risk factors. Materials and Methods: Data from the fourth Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey were analyzed to compare the prevalence of metabolic syndrome, as defined by 2009 consensus criteria. Associated factors with were identified using multiple logistic regression analysis among cancer survivors. Results: The prevalence of the metabolic syndrome in cancer survivors (n = 335) was similar to that in the non-cancer population (n = 10,671). However, gastric cancer survivors showed lower risk of metabolic syndrome than non-cancer controls (adjusted odds ratio [aOR] 0.42, 95% confidence interval [CI] 0.20-0.86). Age of more than 60 years (aOR 4.83, 95% CI 1.94-12.03), BMI between 23 and 25 (aOR 6.71, 95% CI 2.90-15.6), BMI more than 25 (aOR 12.23, 95% CI 5.20-28.77) were significantly associated with the metabolic syndrome in cancer survivors. Conclusions: Cancer survivors are unlikely to have a higher risk of the metabolic syndrome than non-cancer controls in Korea. This finding may be due to a relatively high proportion of gastric cancer survivors in Korea than in Western countries. The risk for metabolic syndrome among cancer survivors would appear to vary according to oncological and non-oncological factors.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.4
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• pp.280-288
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• 2012

Purpose: The aim of this study was to analyze the differences in psychosocial adjustment between younger (age${\leq}50$) and older (age>50) breast cancer survivors, and to explore the role of sociodemographic and disease-related variables in predicting psychosocial adjustment between younger and older breast cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 262 women participated in this study. A self-reported questionnaire, the Psychosocial Adjustment to Illness Scale-Self Report Korean version (PAIS-SR Korean version), was used. Data were analyzed with SAS/WIN 9.1 for descriptive statistics using the t-test, ANOVA, and stepwise multiple regression. Results: The psychosocial adjustment score of younger breast cancer survivors was significantly higher than that of older breast cancer survivors. Significant predictors influencing psychosocial adjustment in younger breast cancer survivors were marital state, menopausal cause, immune therapy, and self-help group, and these predictors account for 48% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment. Significant predictors influencing psychosocial adjustment in older breast cancer survivors were stage of cancer, monthly income, marital state, and menopausal cause. These predictors accounted for 35% of the variance in psychosocial adjustment. Conclusion: The findings indicate the importance of counseling and educational programs to improve the psychosocial adjustment according to breast cancer survivors' age.

• Child Health Nursing Research
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.208-217
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• 2022

Purpose: This study investigated childhood cancer survivors' behavior related to a healthy lifestyle during their survival period by comparing reports between childhood cancer survivors and their parents. Methods: In this comparative descriptive study, a survey was conducted with a 33-item questionnaire and one open-ended question about areas for improvement. The participants comprised 69 childhood cancer survivors and 69 of their parents, for a total of 138. Results: The total mean healthy lifestyle score, on a 4-point Likert scale, reported by childhood cancer survivors was 2.97, while that reported by their parents was 3.03. No significant differences in children's healthy lifestyles were found between childhood cancer survivors' and their parents' reports (t=0.86, p=.390). For the open-ended question, the main keywords based on the results of degree and eigenvector centrality were "exercise", "unbalanced diet", and "food". These keywords were present in both the children's and parents' responses. Conclusion: Obtaining information on childhood cancer survivors' healthy lifestyles based on reports from themselves and their parents provides meaningful insights into the improvement of health care management. The results of this study may be used to develop and plan healthy lifestyle standards to meet childhood cancer survivors' needs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6171-6176
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• 2014

Background: In order to design effective educational intervention for cancer survivors, it is necessary to identify most-trusted sources for health-related information and the amount of attention paid to each source. Objective: The objective of our study was to explore the sources of health information used by cancer survivors according to their access to the internet and levels of trust in and attention to those information sources. Materials and Methods: We analyzed sources of health information among cancer survivors using selected questions adapted from the 2012 Health Information National Trends Survey (HINTS). Results: Of 357 participants, 239 (67%) had internet access (online survivors) while 118 (33%) did not (offline survivors). Online survivors were younger (p<0.001), more educated (p<0.001), more non-Hispanic whites (p<0.001), had higher income (p<0.001), had more populated households (p<0.001) and better quality of life (p<0.001) compared to offline survivors. Prevalence of some disabilities was higher among offline survivors including serious difficulties with walking or climbing stairs (p<0.001), being blind or having severe visual impairment (p=0.001), problems with making decisions (p<0.001), doing errands alone (p=0.001) and dressing or bathing (p=0.001). After adjusting for socio-demographic status, cancer survivors who were non-Hispanic whites (OR= 3.49, p<0.01), younger (OR=4.10, p<0.01), more educated (OR= 2.29, p=0.02), with greater income (OR=4.43, p<0.01), and with very good to excellent quality of life (OR=2.60, p=0.01) had higher probability of having access to the internet, while those living in Midwest were less likely to have access (OR= 0.177, p<0.01). Doctors (95.5%) were the most and radio (27.8%) was the least trusted health related information source among all cancer survivors. Online survivors trusted internet much more compared to those without access (p<0.001) while offline cancer survivors trusted health-related information from religious groups and radio more than those with internet access (p<0.001 and p=0.008). Cancer survivors paid the most attention to health information on newsletters (63.8%) and internet (60.2%) and the least to radio (19.6%). More online survivors paid attention to internet than those without access (68.5% vs 39.1%, p<0.001) while more offline survivors paid attention to radio compared to those with access (26.8% vs 16.5%, p=0.03). Conclusions: Our findings emphasize the importance of improving the access and empowering the different sources of information. Considering that the internet and web technologies are continuing to develop, more attention should be paid to improve access to the internet, provide guidance and maintain the quality of accredited health information websites. Those without internet access should continue to receive health-related information via their most trusted sources.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.4
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• pp.1355-1360
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• 2015

Background: The number of cancer survivors is increasing globally and recently, higher rates of comorbidities in cancer survivors have been reported. However, no studies have investigated whether cancer survivors have a higher risk of chronic kidney disease (CKD). Accordingly, our study evaluated the association between cancer survivors and the risk of CKD using the 2010-2012 Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey. Materials and Methods: A total of 11,407 participants aged 40 years and over were categorized into two groups according to cancer experience. Multiple variables were compared and the odds ratios (ORs) for CKD prevalence were calculated using a weighted logistic regression analysis between the two groups. Results: Cancer survivors were older than were those in the non-cancer group, on average, the percentages of glomerular filtration rate(GFR) lower than $60mL/min/1.73m^2$, proteinuria, and CKD were significantly higher in cancer survivors when compared to controls. Weighted logistic regression analyses demonstrated that cancer survivors had a higher risk for CKD after adjusting for multiple variables (OR (95% confidence interval), 2.88 (1.48-5.59)). Conclusions: Our study demonstrated a possible association between CKD and cancer survival in Korean adults. Identifying and correcting risk factors for cancer survivors would positively affect prevention of CKD and result in a better cancer prognosis.