• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.697-702
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• 2016

Background: The Asia-Pacific Breast Initiatives (APBI) I and II registries were established to collect safety data for patients with early stage breast cancer receiving adjuvant docetaxel-based regimens in the Asia-Pacific region. Materials and Methods: Data from the two registries were combined to perform a safety analysis. Participants in the registry were women with early stage operable breast cancer with an intermediate or high risk of recurrence. These women received adjuvant chemotherapy that included docetaxel between 2006 and 2011. Adverse events (AEs) were recorded and analyzed. Results: Data were collected from 3,224 patients from 13 countries. The mean dose intensity of docetaxel was 24.1, 22.7, $25.1mg/m^2/week$ among patients receiving docetaxel-based monotherapy, combination therapy and sequential therapy, respectively. Granulocyte colony-stimulating factor (G-CSF) was given with docetaxel to 41.8% of women and 20.6% of women receiving prophylactic antibiotics. Adverse events were reported in 86% of patients (anthracycline-containing regimens vs. non-anthracycline regimens; 87% vs. 80%). The most common adverse events were alopecia, nausea, neutropenia, vomiting, and myalgia. Adverse events NCI CTCAE ${\geq}$Grade 3 were reported in 45.4% of patients. Serious adverse events were reported in 13% of patients, of which 2.5% led to study discontinuation. Forty-six deaths (1.4%) were reported, with no significant difference between regimens. Conclusions: The safety parameters of adjuvant docetaxel therapy used to treat sequential Asian women were comparable to those reported in clinical trials evaluating the role of adjuvant docetaxel. No unusual adverse events linked to Asia-Pacific region patients were observed.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.2
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• pp.563-568
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women worldwide and its frequency is increasing gradually in many countries. Over the last three decades an increase in the breast cancer has been witnessed in the earlier low-risk Asian countries including Pakistan. Purpose: The objective of the current study was to assess the prevalence of known risk factors like early menarche, late menopause, socio economic, reproductive and demographic factors, among women diagnosed with breast cancer at INMOL hospital, Lahore, Punjab, as little information exists in this regard. Materials and Methods: A survey study was conducted on 200 women diagnosed with breast cancer who were seen at Institute of Nuclear Medicine and Oncology (INMOL) hospital, Lahore. A structured questionnaire was administered to these patients regarding the known risk factors through face to face interviews after obtaining appropriate consent. Results: Regarding non-modifiable risk factors, our study showed that majority of the breast cancer patients were diagnosed at 35-45 years (32.5%) or at older age (${\leq}46$) and experienced menarche at 12 years or older (66 %). Likewise, a large number of patients reached menopause at the age of 45 years (60%), had no family and personal history of breast cancer (80%) and hence fell in a low risk category. Regarding modifiable risk factors in women diagnosed with breast cancer, most of the patients fell in low risk strata as the majority were married (98%) at young age, breastfed their children for 12 months or more (88%) and bore two to three children (80%). Considering income criteria, the majority of the patients had a low risk profile as they belonged to middle class (70%), urban area (60%) and were house wives (80%). However, it was noted that a considerable number of women (34%) diagnosed with breast cancer experienced menarche at an early age (<12) and reached menopause after the age of 45 years. This situation is further augmented by environmental changes and dietary habits and places them in a high risk category.

• Journal of The Korean Society of Integrative Medicine
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• v.8 no.2
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• pp.29-39
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• 2020

Purpose : This study investigated the relationship among adjustment of cancer, mental health, and family problem solving communication of women with cancer. The purpose of this study was to determine how to improve the adjustment of cancer of women and improve women's mental health to form family problem solving communication. Methods : This correlational study was conducted among 101 women with cancer living in the Seoul region. Data collection occurred from August 1, 2018, to August 23. The data are reported as means and standard deviations and were analyzed with t tests, ANOVA, and Pearson's correlation regression using SPSS version 21.0. Results : The results of this study showed that adjustment to cancer significantly correlated with the education level of the participants (F=3.27, p<.05) and self-help group participation (F=3.156, p<.05). In this study, the mental health of female cancer patients significantly affected their adjustment to cancer (F=13.13, p<.001). These results explained 19.7% of the variance (F=13.13, p<.001) in mental health and adjustment to cancer in female cancer patients. Conclusion : In this study, mental health was significantly affected adjustment to cancer. The results suggest that adjustment to cancer can be promoted through the development and application of a nursing intervention program considering the mental health of female cancer patients. In addition, further research is required to identify the factors in consideration of various variables in addition to the sociodemographic and disease-related variables that may affect the adjustment to cancer of female cancer patients in nursing hospitals.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.5
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• pp.1795-1802
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• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common cancer types in women and is amongst the most devastating and stressful events in the life of women. The external appearance of breast cancer patients usually changes due to the surgical and/or medical therapies used. An association may be found between social support perception and social appearance anxiety in patients with breast cancer in the period after mastectomy. Therefore, this study investigated the social appearance anxiety and social support status in women with breast cancer in our country. Materials and Methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted in breast cancer patients undergoing treatment or follow-up in Medical Oncology and General Surgery departments. Results: The mean age of the participants was $51.13{\pm}8.48$ years (range, 24-74 years) with nearly half of the patients (40.6%) aged 40-50 years. Of the patients, 39.1% had stage 3 breast cancer. The mean score on Cancer Patient's Social Support Scale (CPSSS) was $134.85{\pm}9.35$, and there was a significant difference in CPSSS total scores betweena the age groups, educational levels, self-reported income levels and stage of disease (p<0.05). The mean Social Image Anxiety Scale (SIAS) score was found to be $34.30{\pm}9.35$ (min:16, max:66) in women participating in this study. The CPSSS and SIAS scores of the participants were inversely correlated, and the SIAS score was found to decrease with the increasing CPSSS score but with no statistically significant difference (r=-0.110, p=0.217). Conclusions: Social appearance anxiety is higher in the patients with poor social support.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.15
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• pp.6029-6033
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• 2014

The burden and severity of a cancer can be reflected by patterns of survival. Breast cancer prognosis between two countries with a different socioeconomic status and cultural beliefs may exhibit wide variation. This study aimed to describe survival in patients with breast cancer in China and Thailand in relation to demographic and clinical prognostic information. Materials and Methods: We compared the survival of 1,504 Chinese women in Yunnan province and 929 Thai women in Songkhla with breast cancer from 2006 to 2010. Descriptive prognostic comparisons between the Chinese and Thai women were performed by relative survival analysis. A Cox regression model was used to calculate the hazard ratios of death, taking into account the age, disease stage, period of diagnosis and country. Results: The overall 5-year survival proportion for patients diagnosed with breast cancer for Yunnan province (0.72) appeared slightly better than Songkhla (0.70) without statistical significance. Thai women diagnosed with distant and regional breast cancer had poorer survival than Chinese women. Disease stage was the most important determinant of survival from the results of Cox regression model. Conclusions: Breast cancer patients in Kunming had slightly greater five-year survival rate than patients in Songkhla. Both Chinese and Thai women need improvement in prognosis, which could conceivably be attained through increased public education and awareness regarding early detection and compliance to treatment protocols.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.11
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• pp.6579-6584
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• 2013

Background: With effective early treatments, many breast cancer patients suffer from psychological distress due to adverse effects and lifelong physical disfigurement. Our study aimed to evaluate the psychopathological profile of breast cancer patients in comparison with healthy women and explored demographic correlates. Method: We consecutively enrolled breast cancer patients who came to the hospital for follow-up or rehabilitation care after primary treatment, and healthy female relatives or friends of inpatients in the Cancer Institute of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences between August 30, 2010 and January 1, 2012. Psychopathological profile was assessed based on the Symptom Checklist-90-R (SCL-90-R) for patients and controls. We compared demographics such as age, ethnicity, education, marriage, and occupation, and incorporated these data plus cancer status for the association with the general SCL-90-R index and scores for 9 major symptom dimensions in multiple regression analysis. Results: We surveyed a total of 291 female breast cancer patients and 531 healthy women. The average age was $55.1{\pm}6.40$ years for breast cancer patients and $43.1{\pm}12.8$ for healthy controls (P<0.01). The mean survival was 5.20 years for cancer patients (range, 0.60-9.90 years). There were statistically significant differences in education, marriage, and occupation between the two groups (P<0.01). General index ($1.45{\pm}0.45$ versus $1.32{\pm}0.37$) and 8 dimension scores (excluding anxiety) on SCL-90-R were significantly higher in patients (P<0.05). Multiple regression analysis showed that the breast cancer status was positively correlated with general SCL-90-R index and 6 dimension scores (excluding the anxiety, phobic anxiety and paranoid ideation dimensions) (P<0.05). Regression coefficients ranged from 0.10 (depression) to 0.19 (somatization). Higher interpersonal sensitivity was noticed in single women compared to married women. Conclusions: Chinese patients with breast cancer demonstrate greater psychopathology compared to healthy controls. The breast cancer status is an independent contributing factor to the general psychopathological profile. Breast cancer patients should be given particular counseling and care to alleviate their psychological distress.

• Journal of Nutrition and Health
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• v.39 no.1
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• pp.28-34
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• 2006

This study was performed to compare nutrients intake and levels of three elements (iron, copper and zinc) in the plasma of breast cancer patients to those in healthy controls. Patients (n = 97) and their age-matched healthy control groups (n = 97) participated in the study. A semi-quantitative food frequency questionnaire specifically formulated to evaluate the consumption of nutrients was used to estimate dietary intake. Only plasma was taken from the 20 patients and their age-matched healthy control group. Plasma concentrations of iron, copper, zinc, ratio of Cu/Zn were measured in both groups. Results showed that patients consumed significantly lower protein, fat, iron. Plasma level of copper and ratio of Cu/Zn were significantly higher in patients compared to those of controls. In conclusion, change of trace elements in plasma might be useful and significant as biomakers involving the initial process. And these results imply that trace elements status is a factor related to breast cancer risk and suggest that proper intake of those nutrients is required for cancer prevention.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.11
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• pp.4567-4570
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• 2014

Background: This systemic analysis was conducted to evaluate the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based chemotherapy in treating patients with metastatic breast cancer as first or second line chemotherapy. Methods: Clinical studies evaluating the efficacy and safety of pemetrexed based regimens on response and safety for patients with breast cancer were identified using a predefined search strategy. Pooled response rate (RR) of treatment were calculated. Results: In first line pemetrexed based regimens, 10 clinical studies which including 513 patients with advanced breast cancer were considered eligible for inclusion. For second line pemetrexed based chemotherapy, 5 clinical studies which including 281 patients with advanced breast cancer were considered eligible. Systemic analysis suggested that, in all patients, pooled RR was 32.6% (167/513) in pemetrexed based first line regimens, and 13.9 % (39/281) in pemetrexed based second line regimens. Major adverse effects were neutropenia, leukopenia, fatigue, and anemia in pemetrexed based first line treatment; and lymphopenia, neutropenia, leukopenia, as well as anemia in second line chemotherapy. One treatment related death occurred with pemetrexed based second line treatment. Conclusion: This systemic analysis suggests that pemetrexed based first line regimens are associated with a reasonable response rate and acceptable toxicity, however with low response rate for treating patients with metastatic breast cancer when is used in the second line.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.151-154
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• 2014

Background: Lung cancer is the most common cause of cancer-related death worldwide. The incidence of lung cancer is aproximately 7-8 thousand percent in Turkish women. In this study, we aimed to evaluate the clinical, pathological properties and survival data of female patients with lung cancer who were treated in our center. Materials and Methods: From 2007 to 2012, 50 women with lung cancer were enrolled. Patient data were evaluated retrospectively. Results: The median age was 61 (40-81). Forty patients (80%) were diagnosed with non small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), 10 patients (20%) were small cell carcinoma (SCC). Twelve (24%) patients were smokers and 13 of 16 non-smokers had a history of exposure to asbestos. The most common histologic subtype was adenocarcinoma (46%) and this accounted for 71% in patients with exposure to asbestos. The most common initial Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group (ECOG) performance score was 1 (24 patients, 48%) and initial stage was IV (25 patients, 50%) in the study group. During the median 15 months (1-96 months) followup period: 1 year overall survival (OS) was 68%, 2year overall survival was 36% and the median survival time was 19 months. According to univariate analysis, poor ECOG performance status, advanced stage, anemia and weight loss at time of diagnosis were negative prognostic factors. However, adenocarcinoma sub-type was a positive prognostic factor. Conclusions: In this study NSCLC sub-type, poor ECOG performance score, advanced stage, anemia and weight loss were prognostic factors in Turkish women with lung cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.5
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• pp.3143-3149
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• 2013

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer among women in Turkey and around the world. Treatment adversely affects women's physical, psychological, and social conditions. The purpose of this study was to identify the experiences of Turkish women with breast cancer and the facilitating coping factors when they receive chemotherapy. Methods: A phenomenological approach was used to explain the experiences and facilitating factors of breast cancer patients during the treatment period. Data were collected through individual semi-structured interviews. The sample comprised 11 women with breast cancer receiving treatment. Results: At the end of the interviews conducted with women with breast cancer, two main themes were identified: adjustment and facilitating coping factors. The adjustment main theme had two sub-themes: strains and coping. Women with breast cancer suffer physical and psychological strains as well as stress related to social and health systems. While coping with these situations, they receive social support, turn to spirituality and make new senses of their lives. The facilitating coping factors main theme had four sub-themes: social support, disease-related factors, treatment-related factors and relationships with nurses. It has been determined that women receiving good social support, having undergone preventive breast surgery and/or getting attention and affection from nurses can cope with breast cancer more easily. Conclusions: Women with breast cancer have difficulty in all areas of their lives in the course of the disease and during the treatment process. Therefore, nurses should provide holistic care, teaching patients how to cope with the new situation and supporting them spiritually. Since family support is very important in Turkish culture, patients' relatives should be informed and supported at every stage of the treatment.