• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제15권16호
• /
• pp.6531-6534
• /
• 2014

Background: In Iran, breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer in women and a major public health problem. Methods: A cross sectional study was carried out to determine knowledge on breast cancer and breast self-examination (BSE) practices of 384 females living in the city of Hamadan, Iran. A purposive sampling method was adopted and data were collected via face-to-face interviews based on a validated questionnaire developed for this study. Results: Among respondents 268 (69.8%) were married and 144 (37.5%) of the respondents reported having a family history of breast cancer. One hundred respondents (26.0%) claimed they practiced BSE. Level of breast cancer knowledge was significantly associated with BSE practice (p=0.000). There was no association with demographic details (p<0.05). Conclusion: The findings showed that Iranian women's knowledge regarding breast cancer and the practice of BSE is inadequate. Targeted education should be implemented to improve early detection of breast cancer.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제16권17호
• /
• pp.7485-7489
• /
• 2015

Background: Breast cancer is the most common type of cancer in women throughout the world. However, in comparison with Western women, it presents relatively early in women of Asian ethnicity. Early menarche, late menopause, use of OCP's, family history of benign or malignant breast disease, exposure to radiation and BMI in the under-weight range are well known risk factors for the development of breast cancer in premenopausal women. Early detection with the use of breast self-examination (BSE) and breast cancer screening programs can lead to a reduction in the mortality rates due to breast cancer. The aim of our study was to assess the risk factors for breast cancer among young women and to emphasize the importance of early screening among them. Materials and Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study among women aged 18 to 25 using a self-administered questionnaire. Data was collected over a period of 6 months from June to December, 2014. A total of 300 young women selected randomly from Dow Medical College and various departments of Karachi University successfully completed the survey. Results: Respondents were 18-25 years of age (mean age=21.5). Out of the 300 young females, 90 (30%) had at least one risk factor, 90 (30%) had two, 40 (13%) had three, 8 (2.7%) had four, 2 (0.7%) had five while one female was found to have six positive risk factors for breast cancer. Some 66 women (22%) experienced symptoms of breast cancer such as non-cyclical pain and lumps. While 222 women (74%) had never performed breast self-examination, 22 (7.3%) had had a breast examination done by a health professional while 32 (10.7%) had participated in breast screening programs. A total of 223 (74.3%) women considered breast cancer screening important for young women. Conclusions: The percentage of young women with risk factors for breast cancer was found to be alarmingly high. Therefore, screening for breast cancer should start at an early age especially in high risk groups. Awareness about breast self-examination should be emphasized. Moreover, screening programs should be started to ensure early detection and reduction of mortality rates caused by breast cancer also in young Pakistani females.

• Asian Oncology Nursing
• /
• 제11권1호
• /
• pp.41-48
• /
• 2011

Purpose: The study was to identify relationships between the family support, perceived health status and self esteem in Korean women with breast cancer. Methods: Data were collected by questionnaires from 214 women with breast cancer in inpatient and outpatient settings at three different university hospitals and one cancer hospital in B city, Korea. The instruments included Family Support Scale, Perceived Health Status Scale, and Self Esteem Scale. The collected data were analyzed using frequency, percentage, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, and Pearson's correlation coefficients by SPSS WIN 15.0 program. Results: There were significant differences in the family support by age, education, and cost burden. There were significant differences in the perceived health status by education, occupation, economic status, pain, fatigue, and cancer insurance. There were significant differences in the self esteem by age, occupation, economic status, type of religion, pain, fatigue, and cancer insurance. Self-esteem was significantly correlated with family support and perceived health status. Conclusion: These results suggested that promoting perceived health status and enhancing family support would increase self-esteem effectively among Korean women with breast cancer.

• International journal of advanced smart convergence
• /
• 제13권2호
• /
• pp.222-228
• /
• 2024

The purpose of this study was to investigate the effect of 8 weeks of forestry exercise on the quality of life and physical self-concept of breast cancer survivors. The subjects of this study were eight breast cancer survivors 6 months after mastectomy. The forest combined exercise program consisted of aerobic exercise through forest walking and resistance exercise using elastic bands. The forest combined exercise was conducted twice for 8 weeks. Forest trekking consisted of a 2km walking speed and resistance exercise consisted of three levels of sets and intensity. The format was divided into gradual increases. The exercise time was 40 to 60 minutes for forest trekking, 20 to 30 minutes for descent, and 40 to 60 minutes for resistance exercise, for a total of 120 to 130 minutes per day. Breast cancer survivors' quality of life was measured using a questionnaire, and changes in quality of life were measured using a t-test (α=.05). Physical self-concept was assessed through in-depth interviews. There was no statistically significant difference in quality of life before and after 8 weeks of combined forestry exercise, but there was a slight tendency to increase in the area of physical well-being. Physical self-concept showed positive changes in motivation, physical strength improvement, health promotion, physical competence, and self-confidence through the forest composite exercise. Therefore, the forest composite exercise is believed to have a positive effect on the physical self-concept of breast cancer survivors.

• Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
• /
• 제14권8호
• /
• pp.4919-4923
• /
• 2013

Breast cancer is the top cancer in women worldwide and its incidence is increasing, particularly in developing countries. In the United Arab Emirates (UAE), many cases are first diagnosed in later stages and at younger age compared to those seen in developed countries. Early detection in order to improve breast cancer outcome and survival remains the cornerstone of breast cancer control. Performance of breast self examination is one of the important steps for identifying breast disease at an early stage, by the woman herself. No information has hitherto been available about the frequency of this practice among female university students in UAE or about their breast cancer risk perception and therefore the present study was conducted in Ajman. It was found that 22.7% of the participants practiced BSE but only 3% of them practiced BSE monthly. Marital status but not age as significantly associated with age likelihood. The most frequent reported barriers for BSE were lack of knowledge, considering oneself not at risk and the absence of doctor advice. These factors need to be taken into account in intervention efforts.

• Journal of Ginseng Research
• /
• 제43권3호
• /
• pp.421-430
• /
• 2019

Background: The ginsenoside Rg3, one of active components of red ginseng, has chemopreventive and anticancer potential. Cancer stem cells retain self-renewal properties which account for cancer recurrence and resistance to anticancer therapy. In our present study, we investigated whether the standardized Korean Red Ginseng extract (RGE) and Rg3 could modulate the manifestation of breast cancer stem cell-like features through regulation of self-renewal activity. Methods: The effects of RGE and Rg3 on the proportion of $CD44^{high}/CD24^{low}$ cells, as representative characteristics of stem-like breast cancer cells, were determined by flow cytometry. The mammosphere formation assay was performed to assess self-renewal capacities of breast cancer cells. Aldehyde dehydrogenase activity of MCF-7 mammospheres was measured by the ALDEFLUOR assay. The expression levels of Sox-2, Bmi-1, and P-Akt and the nuclear localization of hypoxia inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ in MCF-7 mammospheres were verified by immunoblot analysis. Results: Both RGE and Rg3 decreased the viability of breast cancer cells and significantly reduced the populations of $CD44^{high}/CD24^{low}$ in MDA-MB-231 cells. RGE and Rg3 treatment attenuated the expression of Sox-2 and Bmi-1 by inhibiting the nuclear localization of hypoxia inducible $factor-1{\alpha}$ in MCF-7 mammospheres. Suppression of the manifestation of breast cancer stem cell-like properties by Rg3 was mediated through the blockade of Akt-mediated self-renewal signaling. Conclusion: This study suggests that Rg3 has a therapeutic potential targeting breast cancer stem cells.

• The Journal of the Korea Contents Association
• /
• 제14권4호
• /
• pp.256-266
• /
• 2014

Purpose : This study was to explore the long-term effects of breast cancer prevention volunteering on self-efficacy, depression, and posttraumatic growth among survivors with breast cancer. Methods: This pilot study utilized a longitudinal design. Participants were 14 women with breast cancer who participated in the breast cancer prevention educational program The data were collated between February and August in 2013. Self-report questionnaires were used to measure the self-efficacy for self-management of breast cancer, depression, and posttraumatic growth at pre-education(T0), 1 month(T1), 3 months(T2), and 6 months(T1) post-education. A generalized estimating equation regression model was used to identify the effects. Results: The scores of self-efficacy increased significantly at T1(${\chi}^2$=5.56, p=.0l8) and D(${\chi}^2$=4.56, p=.033) compared with T0. Depression and posttraumatic growth remained stable with fairly good levels throughout the 6-month period. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that breast cancer prevention volunteering in survivors with breast cancer can be effective for enhancing their self-efficacy and maintaining psychological well-bang. Also the study showed that such volunteering activity could be a useful program not only for the general public but also for breast cancer survivors.

• Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing
• /
• 제42권3호
• /
• pp.385-395
• /
• 2012

Purpose: This purpose of this study was to develop and validate a Self-Efficacy Scale for Self-Management of Breast Cancer (SESSM-B). Methods: The SESSM-B was developed and validated as follows: Item generation, pilot study, and tests of validity and reliability. Twenty-one items were developed through evaluation by 10 experts and 13 items were finally confirmed through item analysis and factor analysis. Psychometric testing was performed with a convenience sample of 303 women with breast cancer. Data were analyzed using factor analysis, Pearson correlation coefficients, and Cronbach's alpha. Results: Five factors evolved from the factor analysis, which explained 69.8% of the total variance. The first factor 'coping with psycho-informational demand' explained 17.2%, 2nd factor 'maintenance of healthy lifestyle' 14.5%. 3rd factor 'management of side-effects' 13.3%, 4th factor 'therapeutic compliance' 12.8%, and 5th factor 'sexual life' 11.9%. SESSM-B also demonstrated a concurrent validity with health-related quality of life scale, EORTC QLQ-C30 & BR23. The internal consistency, Cronbach's alpha, was .78, and reliability of the subscales ranged from .61 to .79. Conclusion: The results of this study suggest that the SESSM-B is an easy, reliable, and valid instrument to measure self-efficacy for self-management of breast cancer.

• Women's Health Nursing
• /
• 제29권3호
• /
• pp.160-178
• /
• 2023

Purpose: Since technology-based interventions can facilitate convenient access to healthcare for women with breast cancer, it is crucial to understand innovative approaches to maintaining the effectiveness of these interventions. Therefore, we conducted a systematic review of technology-based self-management interventions for women with breast cancer in six countries. We analyzed the characteristics of these interventions and examined their diverse health outcomes. Methods: Six databases were systematically searched to extract research articles using the keywords "breast cancer," "technology," and "self-management." The search was carried out up until June 12, 2023. From the 1,288 studies retrieved from the database search, 10 eligible papers were identified based on inclusion/exclusion criteria. Two authors independently extracted and compared the data from these articles, resolving any discrepancies through discussion. Results: Most of the 10 studies utilized web- or mobile-based technology, and one used artificial intelligence-based technology. Among the 12 health-related outcome variables, quality of life and symptom distress were the most frequently mentioned, appearing in six articles. Furthermore, an analysis of the intervention programs revealed a variety of common constructs and the involvement of managers in the self-management intervention. Conclusion: Incorporating key components such as self-management planning, diary keeping, and communication support in technology-based interventions could significantly improve the self-management process for breast cancer survivors. The practical application of technology has the potential to empower women diagnosed with breast cancer and improve their overall quality of life, by providing timely and sustainable interventions, and by leveraging available resources and tools.

• Journal of Korean Critical Care Nursing
• /
• 제6권1호
• /
• pp.21-33
• /
• 2013

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to examine the relationship between lymphedema self-care management and quality of life in breast cancer patients with mastectomy and lymphedema. Methods: One hundred and eighty-six breast cancer patients with mastectomy and lymphedema (n=186) were recruited at a medical center located in Seoul. The levels of lymphedema self-care management and quality of life were measured by the scale for measurement of practice in lymphedema self-care management, European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Core 30 (EORTC QLQ-C30) and European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer-Quality of Life Questionnaire Breast Cancer Module (EORTC QLQ BR23), respectively. Data were analyzed with SPSS 18.0 program. Results: There were statistically significant correlations between lymphedema self-care management and general health status/quality of life in mastectomy patients with lymphedema (r=.30, p<.001). The physical function score of cancer related function scale (r=-.15, p=.033), fatigue score of cancer related symptom scale (r=.15, p=.036), systemic side effect score of breast cancer related symptom scale (r=.45, p=.034), and upset by hair loss (r=.27, p=.004) were significantly correlated with quality of life. Conclusion: The findings suggest that these significant factors should be considered when caring for lymphedema patients.