• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.6 no.2
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• pp.133-142
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify factors influencing depression in breast cancer patients. Method: A descriptive correlational study design was used. A convenience sample of 155 subjects was recruited from the outpatient for breast cancer patients at one hospital in Gyeonggi, South Korea. Body image was measured with the category of "Body image" from the EORTC QLQ-BR23(European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast cancer version) and sexual function was measured with category of "sexual function" from it. Depression was measured with Korean version of Beck Depression Inventory(BDI). Results: The mean score of body image was relatively low(M = 54.44, SD = 30.92), of sexual function was low (M = 24.82, SD = 22.50), and of depression was relatively low(M =14.90, SD = 8.00). Depression had a significant relationship with body image(r = -.363, p = <.001), however, there was no significant relationship between depression and sexual function(r = -.137, p = .103). In the regression analysis, depression was found to be influenced significantly by monthly income and body image, these variables explained 28.8% of the variance in depression(F = 4.662. p = <.001). Conclusion: It suggests that nurses need to take into consideration body image and economic status in management depression in breast cancer survivors.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.1
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• pp.1-8
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the types of venous access devices (VAD) for cancer patients and investigate the factors related to the insertions of central venous catheter (CVC) in cancer patients. Methods: The subjects were 379 cancer patients. A retrospective review of all patients who were discharged from a cancer unit from November 1st to 21st in 2008 was done using a structured questionnaire. Results: A total of 82 CVC (21.6%) was inserted among 379 patients for administering anticancer therapy. There were statistically significant differences in age, length of stay (LOS), cumulative LOS, medical department, history of CVC insertion, cancer category, and albumin level between patients using peripheral intravenous (IV) catheters and CVC. In addition, factors influencing the use of CVC were LOS (odds ratio [OR]=0.286, confidence interval [CI]=1.043-1.124), history of CVC insertion (OR=3.920, CI=0.128-0.637), albumin level (OR=1.010, CI=1.879-8.179), cumulative LOS (OR=1.010, CI=1.001-1.018), and hematological diseases (OR=4.863, CI=2.162-10.925). Conclusion: We found that central venous catheterization for anticancer therapy was minimal even though CVC was safe and effective device for IV access. It is necessary to develop a strategy to use VADs efficiently and timely for cancer patients.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.2
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• pp.147-155
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to compare and check the levels of cancer pain management knowledge and awareness between doctors and nurses in a tertiary hospital and to develop an intervention program. Methods: Participants were 725 nurses and 95 doctors working in a hospital from May 2 to 29, 2009. Data were analyzed using t-tests, ${\chi}^2$-tests, and ANOVA with SPSS WIN 18.0. Results: In a comparison of the pain management score, nurses showed significant results for age (p<.001), carrier (p<.001), education (p<.001), workplace (p<.001), and doctors showed significant results only for age (p=.032). Doctors' marks were significantly higher than nurses' in pain management scores (p<.001). Knowledge about analgesic medication (t=-5.38, p<.001) and analgesic drug effect (t=-8.59, p<.001) were significantly different in the pain management subcategory score between nurses and doctors. There were four items with different awareness levels related to analgesics between nurses and doctors. Conclusion: The findings of this study demonstrate that it is possible to develop pain education content for nurses and doctors. The findings of this study are useful when seeking to change the awareness level of a medical team regarding opioid analgesics.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.66-75
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• 2006

Purpose: The present study was to identify the levels of stress and coping and their relationship in mothers of children with cancer. Methods: A total of 124 mothers were recruited from a university hospital from June 1, to August 31, 2004. Parental Stress Scale developed by Miles and Carter (1983), and the Coping Behavior Patterns developed by McCubbin (1979) were used. Data were analyzed using SAS PC+ 8.0 program. Results: The mean score for the stress level in the mothers of the children with cancer was 195.6 from the range of 0-250. The mean score for the level of coping stress by the mothers of children with cancer was 121.8 from the range of 0-165. The level of coping stress was particularly high when the relationship with their husband was good, and when they felt hope for the children's health status. Conclusions: The most stressful element to the mothers of the children with cancer was the 'treatment and the nursing process for the children.' The frequently used coping methods were 'communication with other parents in the same situation' and 'consultation with the expert.'

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.6 no.1
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• pp.37-46
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• 2006

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify the influencing factors on anxiety of patients who had received hemopoietic stem cell transplantation(HSCT). Method: A total of 81 patients who had undergone a HSCT at a university hospital were recruited from July of 2001 to June of 2002. They were asked to complete questionnaires about anxiety, self-esteem, family support, doctor's support and nurse's support. Result: The mean score of anxiety, self-esteem, family support, doctor's support and nurse's support was 41.9, 3.0, 4.6, 7.6 and 7.3, respectively. A significant negative correlation was found between anxiety and self-esteem. Self-esteem was positively correlated with family support, doctor's support and nurse's support. The major variable that influenced anxiety was the self-esteem, explaining 25.4% of the anxiety. Conclusion: On the basis of these results, it is necessary for HSCT patients to develop a nursing intervention for the enhancement of self esteem. Also, family support, doctor's support and nurse's support should be considered as a main support system in the nursing strategy for improving the quality of life of patients undergone HSCT.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.3 no.1
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• pp.66-74
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• 2003

Purpose: This study is designed to identify clusters according to the causal attribution that people make about the cancer and to determine influences of coping behavior and depression as output of causal attribution. Method: The subjects were 192 patients who had been diagnosed cancer one year ago and attended an outpatient clinic. For cancer patients to be classified homogenious groups according to causal attribution, cluster analysis of subjects' ratings on the Causal Dimension Scale was been made. Results: Cluster 1(n=71) had patients with having external, stable and uncontrollable attribution. Cluster 2(n =70) had patients with having unstable and external controllable attribution regarding cause of cancer. They were not important whether cause of cancer was self or other. Cluster 3(n=51) had patients with having internal, unstable and internal controllable attribution. Coping behaviors between cluster 1 and 3 were significant difference. However, depression was not significant difference among clusters. Conclusion: Based upon these results, it is recommended that the developing training program to be changed to the more positive attribution is necessary.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.195-203
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• 2012

Purpose: To summarize and review the methodological quality of the evidence from trials examining the effectiveness of physical exercise in patients undergoing allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (Allo-HSCT). Methods: Six randomized clinical trials (RCTs) were identified, reviewed for substantive results, and assessed for methodological quality. Results: Six trials met all methodological criteria on the modified Jadad score above 3 out of 5 points. Failure to blind the outcome assessor, and failure to describe the method of blinding of outcome assessor appropriately were the most prevalent methodological shortcomings. Various exercise modalities have been applied, differing in content, frequency, intensity, and duration. Positive results have been observed in part for a diverse set of outcomes, including physical and psychological performance. Conclusion: The trials reviewed in this study were of moderate methodological quality. They suggest that exercise in patients undergoing Allo-HSCT may be safe and feasible, and in part patients benefit from increased physical performance both during and after transplantation. Future RCTs should use larger samples, appropriate comparison groups, and a standard of outcome measures, and examine what kind of exercise intervention (aerobic vs. resistance vs. combined) is the most effective for Allo-HSCT patients. It would be necessary to define contraindication for exercise to guarantee its safety.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.12 no.3
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• pp.221-229
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• 2012

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to identify correlates influencing cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methods: Study subjects consisted of 102 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy. Subjects were the members of a breast cancer self-help group. Data were collected using structured self-reporting questionnaires including scales of cognitive impairment, physical status, fatigue, quality of life, emotional status, sleeping, family support, and menopausal symptoms. Statistical Package for Social Sciences was used for statistical analyses. Results: Breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy appeared to show a high level of cognitive impairment. Among demographic characteristics, the effects of economic status and family type on cognitive impairment were found to be statistically significant. Among disease related characteristics, the effect of duration of chemotherapy on cognitive impairment was statistically significant. Menopausal symptoms were positively associated with cognitive impairment. The model including postmenopausal symptoms and caregiver type explained about 66% of variability in cognitive impairment. Conclusion: These findings highlight the importance of contextual factors in understanding cognitive impairment in breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy and can be used to develop appropriate, effective nursing interventions.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.11 no.3
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• pp.200-209
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• 2011

Purpose: The purpose of this micro-ethnography is to examine whether science and societal changes impact family communication patterns among a convenience sample of 16 Korean women. Methods: The authors observed family communication in the context of a new breast cancer genetic screening and diagnostic testing program to detect BRCA gene mutations in Korean women at highest risk. Results: Analysis of in-depth interviews and field notes taken during participant observation illustrated that communication patterns in families vary according to a woman's position in the family. If a grandmother tests positive for a gene mutation, her daughters make decisions on her behalf; they open and maintain the communication channel among family members. If a housewife is diagnosed with cancer and a genetic mutation, she immediately consults her husband and her sisters. The husband creates an open communication channel between his wife, his parents and his siblings. As a result, a woman's cancer is a concern for the whole family not merely a woman's secret or crisis. Conclusion: Cultural differences are important to consider when designing new genetic service programs in different countries.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.105-110
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• 2008

Purpose: This study was a retrospective analysis with survey study which analyze influence of depression of patients with cancer on metastasis. Methods: The subjects of this research were 223 patients who underwent chemotherapy or are in follow-up management with stomach, colon, or breast cancer. The questionnaires were collected in 2002 and medical documents were reviewed 400 days after the first data collection. Subjects were divided according to the depression level into over-average group and under average group. Results: In survival analysis, metastasis occurred in 49 of 211 in 223 subjects for whom follow-up review was done after 400 days. The depression and anxiety level were higher in the group with metastasis than the other with no metastasis. As a result, it showed that the lower depression they have, the lesser the metastasis occurred. Conclusion: This research showed that patients who have higher level of depression, experienced higher risk for cancer metastasis. Nurses who take care of cancer patients are responsible for giving patients with positivity with intention to subside their depression.