• Perspectives in Nursing Science
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• v.10 no.1
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• pp.41-51
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• 2013

Purpose: This study was performed to understand the characteristics and the meaning of the illness experience of breast cancer survivors as basic data for the development of an intervention program. Methods: The participants were 25 breast cancer survivors who had completed treatment at a tertiary hospital in Seoul. Data were collected through in-depth and unstructured audio-recorded interviews by the investigator. The participants were asked to describe their illness experience. The data were analyzed according to Giorgi's method for phenomenological analysis. Results: The interview data were organized by theme into 6 categories that emerged from the analysis. The themes were acceptance of the illness, active coping with reality, gaining strength through the support of surrounding people, struggling to overcome a negative mindset, self-reflection, and the pursuit of a meaningful new life. Conclusion: We recommend the development of a survivorship program based on self-reflection, which can engender self-transcendence and spiritual well-being.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.4
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• pp.2649-2656
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• 2013

Background: Depression is common in breast cancer patients. The aim of this paper was to make a systematic review of its prevalence and associated factors oin breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: An extensive systematic electronic review (PUBMED, CINAHL, PsyINFO and Ovid) and handsearch were carried out to retrieve published articles up to November 2012, using Depression OR Dysthymia AND (Cancer OR Tumor OR Neoplasms as the keywords. Information about the design of the studies, measuring scale, characteristics of the participants, prevalence of depression and its associated factors from the included studies were extracted and summarized. Results: We identified 32 eligible studies that recruited 10,826 breast cancer survivors. Most were cross-sectional or prospective designed. The most frequent instrument used to screen depression was the Center for Epidemiological Studies for Depression (CES-D, n=11 studies) followed by the Beck Depression Inventory (BDI, n=6 studies) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS, n=6 studies). CES-D returned about similar prevalence of depression (median=22%, range=13-56%) with BDI (median=22%, range=17-48%) but higher than HADS (median=10%, range=1-22%). Depression was associated with several socio-demographic variables, cancer-related factors, treatment-related factors, subject psychological factors, lifestyle factors, social support and quality of life. Conclusions: Breast cancer survivors are at risk for depression so that detection of associated factors is important in clinical practice.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.44 no.5
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• pp.515-524
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• 2014

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify whether the couple perceived breast cancer as a traumatic event, to evaluate the association among posttraumatic growth, dyadic adjustment, and quality of life and to explore the predictors affecting quality of life of the couple. Methods: A cross-sectional comparative survey design was utilized. Participants were 57 couples recruited from a national cancer center in Korea. Data were analyzed using paired t-test, McNemar test and independent t-test. On the basis of variables found to be significantly associated with quality of life, multiple regression was used to examine the simultaneous influence of multiple predictors. Results: Breast cancers survivors and spouses perceived breast cancer as a traumatic event (43.9% and 24.6%, respectively). The global quality of life was explained by perception as trauma (${\beta}$= -19.79) and posttraumatic growth (${\beta}$=0.46) in survivors, and perception as trauma (${\beta}$= -18.81) and dyadic adjustment (${\beta}$=0.53) in spouses. Conclusion: Results suggest that future research should use qualitative methods to evaluate why contemplating reasons for cancer contributed to posttraumatic growth, examine other potential predictors of quality of life such as dyadic adjustment and intimacy, and identify links between posttraumatic growth and other psychological outcomes such as distress and well-being, using prospective analyses.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.1
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• pp.12-19
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• 2012

Purpose: To examine the levels of physical activity (PA) and diet quality, socio-demographic and clinical correlates, and identify associations with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) among breast cancer survivors. Methods: The study used a cross-sectional study design. A total of 74 breast cancer survivors who had completed their primary cancer therapy were recruited from a comprehensive cancer center in Korea. Measurements used included the International Physical Activity Questionnaire, the Diet Quality Index, and the EORTC QLQ-C30. Results: Only twenty-six women (35.1%) met the American Cancer Society criteria of weekly PA, while most participants (93.2%) displayed good or excellent diet quality. Those less likely to meet the PA criteria were older women, women who had a lower economic level, and women not receiving anti-hormone therapy. However, there was no significant factor associated with diet quality. Women who met the criteria for PA displayed significantly better global QOL than women who did not meet the criteria. No significant differences were found in HRQOL between women who did and did not meet the diet quality criteria. Conclusion: Nurses should be aware of breast cancer survivors who are older and who have a low economic status when assessing and screening the level of PA to improve HRQOL.

• Journal of Korean society of Dental Hygiene
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• v.23 no.5
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• pp.379-386
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• 2023

Objectives: This study aimed to prepare basic data to improve the health-related quality of life of cancer survivors by confirming their oral and mental health statuses and identifying factors affecting their health-related quality of life. Methods: Of all participants in the 8th KNHANES (2019-2020), adults aged 19 years or older who responded 'yes' to the diagnosis of cancer and 404 cancer survivors who responded 'none' to the current cancer prevalence item were selected as the final research participants. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to confirm the effect of cancer survivors' oral and mental health on health-related quality of life. Results: Subjective oral health (p<0.01), chewing problems (p<0.05), subjective health (p<0.001), and depression (p<0.01) had an effect on health-related quality of life from multiple regression analyses. Conclusions: Therefore, oral and mental health promotion may improve health-related quality of life. Thus, it is necessary to recognize the importance of oral and mental health and implement preventive education and programs.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.1
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• pp.481-487
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• 2013

Following breast cancer diagnosis, women often attempt to modify their lifestyles to improve their health and prevent recurrence. These behavioral changes typically involve diet and physical activity modification. The aim of this study was to determine association between healthy eating habits and physical activity with quality of life among Iranian breast cancer survivors. A total of 100 Iranian women, aged between 32 to 61 years were recruited to participate in this cross-sectional study. Eating practices were evaluated by a validated questionnaire modified from the Women's Healthy Eating and Living (WHEL) study. Physical activity was assessed using the International Physical Activity Questionnaire (IPAQ). A standardized questionnaire by the European Organization of Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life and its breast cancer module (EORTC QLQ-C30/+BR-23) were applied to determine quality of life. Approximately 29% of the cancer survivors were categorized as having healthy eating practices, 34% had moderate eating practices and 37% had poor eating practices based on nutrition guidelines. The study found positive changes in the decreased intake of fast foods (90%), red meat (70%) and increased intake of fruits (85%) and vegetables (78%). Generally, breast cancer survivors with healthy eating practices had better global quality of life, social, emotional, cognitive and role functions. Results showed that only 12 women (12%) met the criteria for regular vigorous exercise, 22% had regular moderate-intensity exercise while the majority (65%) had low-intensity physical activity. Breast cancer survivors with higher level of physical activity had better emotional and cognitive functions. Healthy eating practices and physical activity can improve quality of life of cancer survivors. Health care professionals should promote good dietary habits and physical activity to improve survivor's health and quality of life.

• Journal of Digestive Cancer Research
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• v.3 no.2
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• pp.70-75
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• 2015

Along with the recent trend of improved survival in patients with colorectal cancer (CRC), health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become a significant outcome measure and its improvement is an important goal. The most widely adopted CRC specific HRQoL questionnaires are the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Qualityof-Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-CR38) and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-C). CRC survivors without serious comorbidity or recurrence experience only minor deficits of overall HRQoL when compared to the general population. However, disease recurrence, progression, and more specific limitations, including weight loss, reduction in energy, and psychosocial problems like psychological distress and depression, could result in lower HRQoL. To improve HRQoL, further research is required to develop appropriate health education regarding lifestyle changes and personalized intervention strategies for CRC survivors.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
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• v.16 no.2
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• pp.503-512
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• 2016

The purpose of this study was to examine the impact of socioeconomic status on quality of life(QOL) among breast cancer survivors. The data were from breast cancer survivors in their forties, among whom the prevalence in terms of age was the highest in Korea. A total of 607 cases were analyzed and the mean scores of QOL measured by FACT-B were 93.75(SD=21.50). After controlling for the other socio-demographic and medical variables, QOL was significantly correlated to income and job type, which confirms the association between high socioeconomic status and better QOL. Specifically, groups with higher income($${\geq_-}4$$ million won/month, ${\beta}=0.11$, p= .03) and groups with self-employed(${\beta}=0.10$, p= .01) or professional/managerial(${\beta}=0.17$, p< .001) job type showed significantly better QOL. The need for more attention and support, including formal and informal resources, for breast cancer survivors with low socio-economic status and the implication for practice were discussed.

• Journal of Korean Society of Rural Planning
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• v.28 no.3
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• pp.13-23
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• 2022

The purpose of this study was to identify the effects experienced by cancer survivors through the forest therapy, and to provide evidence for applying the forest therapy program. Nineteen cancer survivors who participated in the forest therapy program hosted by K University were targeted, and qualitative data were collected through three focus group interviews. All interviews were recorded and transcribed and analyzed by subject-specific content analysis method. According to the research results, the attributes of forest therapy experienced by cancer survivors were 'Escape from bondage', 'Time to empty and fill the mind', 'Healing from positive forest stimulation', 'Self met in a space of rest', 'Initiative for life'. Five themes and fifteen sub-themes of 'recovery' were derived. These research results revealed a healing experience of feeling comfortable and physically relaxed through communication with the forest, discovering the self, and regaining initiative in life. It can be seen that the forest therapy is helpful in overcoming the physical, emotional, and psycho-social discomforts of cancer survivors.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.125-131
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• 2012

Purpose: This study was designed to examine the effects of horticultural therapy program on state-anxiety, fatigue and quality of life (QoL) of among women cancer survivors. Methods: Quasi-experimental study was used with a nonequivalent control group pretest-posttest design. Data were collected from February to June, 2009. Participants consisted of 40 women cancer survivors in community. The experimental group participated in horticultural therapy program once a week for 18 weeks. Data were analyzed with SPSS/WIN 18.0 program using ${\chi}^2$-test and t-test. Results: There were significant differences between the two groups in state-anxiety and QoL. Conclusion: The results of this study support that horticultural therapy program was effective in decreasing state-anxiety and improving QoL among women cancer survivors.