• Korean Journal of Social Welfare Studies
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• v.40 no.1
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• pp.37-61
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• 2009

The diagnosis of breast cancer can have a significant impact upon all family members in psychological and practical aspects. The impact of breast cancer may have a particularly strong impact on the spouse and the marital relationship. Breast cancer can alter the couple's emotional balance, finances, division of responsibilities and social activities. However, little empirical evidence exists investigating support-related exchanges between patient and spouse in Korea. Therefore, it is meaningful to address psychosocial effect and change of marital relationship in context of breast cancer. This article reviews 34 studies (1987-2009) on marital relationship in the context of breast cancer. Results indicate that the psychosocial impact of breast cancer on the healthy spouse and patient, spouse's effects on quality of life, adaptation, distress of breast cancer patients, and impact of breast cancer on marital relationship. Several recommendations can be made for oncology health professionals working with families of cancer patients such as the need for longitudinal and comprehensive study

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.14
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• pp.5639-5644
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• 2014

Objective: This study aimed to determine effects of doctor-patient communication on the quality of life among breast cancer survivors in 16 communities in southern China. Methods: Multistage random sampling was to use to recruit 260 females from the Guangzhou Cancer Registry Database who were diagnosed with breast cancer. A questionnaire provided data on the doctor-patient communication (including the doctor's attitude, the patient's participation with the medical decision and information about the disease) and QOL (quality of life), as measured using FACT-B. Univariate analysis, non-conditional logistic regression was used to evaluate the associations between the doctor-patient communication and QOL. Results: Females who received good attitudes from doctors demonstrated higher FACT-B (OR=4.65, 95% CI: 1.68-12.86), social well-being (OR=5.88, 95% CI: 2.16-16.05), emotional well-being (OR=4.77, 95% CI: 1.92-11.88), and functional well-being ((OR=5.26, 95% CI: 1.90-14.52) compared to the females who encountered worse attitudes from their doctor, adjusting for age, education, marriage, employment, family income, years since diagnosis, TNM stage, radiation therapy, chemotherapy and side effects, particularly when the TNM stage was 0-II and the patients exhibited no side effects. Regardless of the length of time after diagnosis, doctors' good attitudes resulted in higher QOL scores. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the doctor-patient communication has a significant association with the QOL of breast cancer survivors, mainly dependent on the doctors' attitude. Effective intervention is required to develop optimal doctor-patient communication.

• CELLMED
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• v.13 no.1
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• pp.7.1-7.3
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• 2023

Objective: Ortho-Cellular Nutrition Therapy (OCNT) Experiential treatment for Breast Cancer, lymphedema Patients Methods: The patient is a Korean woman aged 50 years. She was diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer, the right lymph node was removed, resulting in lymphedema and pain. Results: After nutritional therapy, lymphedema improved. Conclusion: The patient's lymphedema improved, and she regained her daily vitality.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.7
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• pp.3325-3328
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• 2016

Background: There are limited studies on oncoplastic breast conserving surgery in Asian women. We aimed to determine the applicability and safety of oncoplastic surgery, highlighting the specific circumstances when it will be most useful and compare our preferred technique with the worldwide practice of oncoplastic approaches. Materials and Methods: Breast cancer patients who underwent oncoplastic breast conserving surgery at a single institution from 1st May 2014-31st March 2015 were included. Data on patient demographics, tumor characteristics and the type of oncoplastic surgery performed were collected. Results: Nineteen breast cancer patients were identified. 42.1% of patients had grade I ptosis. The indications for surgery included a large tumor to breast size ratio (52.6%), multifocal/multicentric lesions (36.8%) and asymmetric breasts (10.6%), averting a mastectomy in 89.4%. Round block was the commonest technique in 63% of patients, in contrast to the inverted T pattern most frequently used in renowned institutions in the West. Mean and median tumor size and weight of specimen were 29.4/25mm (11 - 75mm) and 77g/64g (10 - 246g) respectively. Re-excision rate was 10.5%. Complete mastectomy was performed for one patient. One patient developed wound dehiscence which was treated conservatively. Cosmetic outcome was rated as excellent/good by 94.7% of patients. The patients remained clinically well after a median 16 months follow up. Conclusions: Oncoplastic breast conserving surgery is useful in a specific subgroup of Asian patients with a relatively small breast volume and minimal ptosis. Round block was the commonest technique in our series, in contrast to the worldwide utility of oncoplastic techniques. It is oncologically safe and has good cosmetic outcomes.

• The Journal of Korean Academic Society of Nursing Education
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• v.13 no.2
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• pp.284-291
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• 2007

Purpose: Even though the breast is not removed, women with a breast conservative operation(BCO) are suffering from the psychosocial distress comparable with mastectomies. The purpose of this study was to identify how clinical nurses view essential nursing problems and nursing approaches to post operative breast cancer experiences. Method: To identify the clinical nurses's interpretation, they were asked to respond to a case involving a woman struggling with breast cancer. The nurses' responses were analyzed using a manifest content analysis strategy to determine themes in problem identification and nursing care strategies. Result: The clinical nurses recognized that most of the patient's experiences originated from a psycho-social problem. Fifteen nurses(83%) interpreted the breast cancer woman's experience derived from her psychosocial problem. They identified the most effective nursing approaches for breast cancer women following surgery as counseling and providing information. Conclusion: In conclusion, the results revealed that a psychosocial skill including an empathic communication skill is essential for excellent nursing in post operative patient care.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.16 no.6
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• pp.2507-2513
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• 2015

Background: Serum vitamin D status can affect the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Our aim was to determine the association between alterations in the 25-hydroxyvitamin D [25(OH)D] status during follow-up and the prognosis of breast cancer patients. Additionally, we evaluated the association between the 25(OH)D status at the time of diagnosis and the prognosis using a detailed age and stage categorization. Materials and Methods: Four hundred and sixty-nine Korean breast cancer patients were included. We collected patient clinicopathological data, including their serum 25(OH)D concentration at diagnosis and at the annual follow-up until 4 years after diagnosis. The patients were divided according to their 25(OH)D status at diagnosis into a deficient (<20 ng/ml) and a non-deficient (${\geq}20ng/ml$) group. At follow-up, patients were categorized into the four following groups according to 25(OH)D status alterations: persistently deficient, improved, deteriorated and persistently non-deficient. Results: At diagnosis, 118 patients were classified into the deficient group and 351 into the non-deficient group. After a median follow-up period of $85.8{\pm}31.0$ months, the patients with advanced-stage disease or an older age in the non-deficient group showed a significantly better survival compared with the deficient group. Furthermore, at the 1-year follow-up of 25(OH)D status, the persistently non-deficient group and the improved group had better survival compared with the other two groups. Conclusions: Our results suggest that maintaining an optimal 25(OH)D status at diagnosis and during the 1-year follow-up period is important for improving breast cancer patient survival.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.17 no.4
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• pp.1789-1795
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• 2016

Background: Breast cancer is the commonest female cancer worldwide and its propensity to metastasize negatively impacts on therapeutic outcome. Several clinicopathological parameters with prognostic/predictive significance have been associated with metastatic suppressor expression levels. The role of metastatic suppressor gene (MSG) KiSS1 in breast cancer remains unclear. Our goal was to investigate the possible clinical significance of KiSS1 breast cancer. Materials and Methods: The study was conducted on 87 histologically proven cases of breast cancer and background normal tiisue. Quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction (qRT PCR) and immunohistochemistry (IHC) were used to investigate KiSS1 at gene and protein levels, respectively, for correlation with several patient characteristics including age, family history, hormonal receptor status, stage, tumor size, nodal involvement and metastatic manifestation and finally with median overall survival (OS). Results: Our study revealed (i) KiSS1 levels were generally elevated in breast cancer vs normal tissue (P < 0.05). (ii) however, a statistically significant lower expression of KiSS1 was observed in metastatic vs non metastatic cases (P = 0.04). (iii) KiSS1 levels strongly correlated with T,N,M category, histological grade and advanced stage (p<0.001) but not other studied parameters. (iv) Lastly, a significant correlation between expression of KiSS1 and median OS was found (P = 0.04). Conclusions: Conclusively, less elevated KiSS1 expression is a negative prognostic factor for OS, advancing tumor stage, axillary lymph node status, metastatic propensity and advancing grade of the breast cancer patient. Patients with negative KiSS1 expression may require a more intensive therapeutic strategy.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
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• v.41 no.2
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• pp.214-224
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• 2011

Purpose: Understanding daily life experiences of patients admitted to hospital with recurrent breast cancer. Methods: The grounded theory method was used for this study. Results: Consistent comparative analysis was used throughout the study to obtain the results. Results showed that inpatients with recurrent breast cancer experience 'a co-existence of life suffering and fear of death'. The causal condition of this result was determined to be 'patient's response to cancer recurrence (acceptance/despair)', including contextual conditions such as, 'previous experience with cancer treatment', 'patient's current physical condition', and 'treatment methods for recurrent cancer'. Intervening conditions, such as 'a strong will to live', 'family support', 'moral support providers', and action/interaction strategies were found to provide patients with 'a strength to live'. Shown in these results, inpatients with recurrent breast cancer were seen to have a simultaneous 'hope for life and fear of death'. Conclusion: When providing nursing services to inpatients with recurrent breast cancer, people must recognize there is a notable difference between individual patients' contextual conditions and interactive strategies. Henceforth, proper cognitive nursing must be provided which encourages patients to maintain a strong will to overcome the many hardships of treatment as well as physical nursing, such as management of side effects caused by chemotherapy.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.15 no.1
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• pp.133-137
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• 2014

Background: Today, breast cancer is increasing in nearly all societies. Currently, cancers are the third leading cause of death in Iran after cardiovascular diseases and accidents. Of the cancers, breast cancer is spreading particularly rapidly among Iranian women. Negative effects of discontinuation of care on patient survival have been well documented. Inhibiting or facilitating factors affecting continuity of care at different stages of the patient care continuum should be identified. Materials and Methods: The current study implemented a qualitative method that provided tools to examine factors in detail. This study was conducted on 22 women, undergoing surgery and chemotherapy after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Content analysis was the technique adopted. Results: The effective factors in continuity of care from the patients' perception, based on the participant statements, were classified into three categories of evaluation of symptoms, psychological reactions, and care triggers with several subcategories. Conclusions: According to the outcomes of the current study, it can be noted that, the patient experiences can be brought into use by health-care professionals and assist them in providing patient sand their families with adequate consulting services. It can also provide an opportunity for making interventions tailored to the community culture, and closer adherence of patients to the prescribed treatments.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
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• v.14 no.12
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• pp.7409-7414
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• 2013

Background: Delay in diagnosis of breast cancer is associated with a poorer survival and a pivotal contribution to this delayed diagnosis comes from patient delay in presenting at a clinic. Reasons involved must be evaluated in order to decrease this reducible delay. Objectives: i) To evaluate the reasons for patient delay in diagnosis of breast cancer; ii) to investigate any association with other variables. Materials and Methods: A 6 month cross sectional study (from July 2012 to Dec 2012), was carried out in Surgical and Oncology Units of Civil Hospital, Karachi. A total of 100 females diagnosed with breast cancer of any histological type were interviewed after informed consent and relevant data were collected. Due ethical clearance was obtained. Results: Mean age was $47.5{\pm}12.1$ years with a range from 25-77 years. Mean duration of delay was $5.13{\pm}4.8$ months, from shortest 1 month to longest 36 months. Duration of delay was observed to be no delay (<1 month) in 28%, short delay (1-3 months) in 30% and long delay (>3 months) in 42% of patients. Considering the symptoms as "harmless" (39%) was the most frequent reason of delay followed by "temporary" (20%) and the "use of traditional methods" (12%). Most common reason for later approaches was an increase in the size of the lump (41%). Statistically significant association (p-value <0.05) of longer patient delay was obtained with being single, being illiterate, painless breast lump as the first symptom, negative family history of breast cancer and vague attribution of the symptoms. Conclusions: Significant delay in approach to health care facility was observed in our study due to variable reasons given by women. Sufficient awareness regarding breast cancer, its symptoms and favorable effects of a timely diagnosis on prognosis must be imparted to our general population.