Mei-Nan Liao1, Shu-Ching Chen2, Shin-Cheh Chen3, Yung-Chang Lin4, Miin-Fu Chen3, Chao-Hui Wang5, Ya-Hui Hsu5, Hsueh-Chih Hung5, Sui-Whi Jane6. 1. Administration Center of Medical Research Department, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 2. Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. 3. Department of General Surgery, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan; College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan. 4. College of Medicine, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan; Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. 5. Department of Nursing, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital, Linkou, Taiwan. 6. Department of Nursing, Chang Gung University of Science and Technology, Taoyuan, Taiwan. Electronic address: swjane@gw.cgust.edu.tw.
Abstract
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE: Breast cancer patients may encounter a wide range of physical and psychosocial distress symptoms during diagnosis, while awaiting treatment, and during treatment. This study of newly diagnosed breast cancer patients explores: (1) changes in symptom distress over 4 months; and (2) factors predicting changes in symptom distress. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal design was used to collect data from breast cancer patients in northern Taiwan. A set of questionnaires was used to measure anxiety, symptom distress, social support, and demographic and treatment-related characteristics. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) with least significant difference (LSD) was used to examine differences in symptom distress, state anxiety, and social-support levels across four time-points. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) is used to determine predictors for the change in symptom distress. RESULTS: Participants showed mild overall symptom distress during treatment that increased from cancer diagnosis to treatment phases, with a peak at 4 months after diagnosis. Insomnia was the most commonly identified distressful symptom over time. Changes in overall symptom distress were significantly predicted by state anxiety, health professional support, and time since cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Change in symptom distress following the first 4 months after diagnosis was predicted by state anxiety, health professional support, and time. Patients should receive social support and be trained in problem-solving skills to relieve distressful symptoms from diagnosis through treatment.
BACKGROUND/ PURPOSE:Breast cancerpatients may encounter a wide range of physical and psychosocial distress symptoms during diagnosis, while awaiting treatment, and during treatment. This study of newly diagnosed breast cancerpatients explores: (1) changes in symptom distress over 4 months; and (2) factors predicting changes in symptom distress. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal design was used to collect data from breast cancerpatients in northern Taiwan. A set of questionnaires was used to measure anxiety, symptom distress, social support, and demographic and treatment-related characteristics. Repeated measures analysis of variance (RM-ANOVA) with least significant difference (LSD) was used to examine differences in symptom distress, state anxiety, and social-support levels across four time-points. Generalized estimating equation (GEE) is used to determine predictors for the change in symptom distress. RESULTS:Participants showed mild overall symptom distress during treatment that increased from cancer diagnosis to treatment phases, with a peak at 4 months after diagnosis. Insomnia was the most commonly identified distressful symptom over time. Changes in overall symptom distress were significantly predicted by state anxiety, health professional support, and time since cancer diagnosis. CONCLUSION: Change in symptom distress following the first 4 months after diagnosis was predicted by state anxiety, health professional support, and time. Patients should receive social support and be trained in problem-solving skills to relieve distressful symptoms from diagnosis through treatment.
Authors: Adrian N S Badana; Victoria R Marino; Maureen E Templeman; Susan C McMillan; Cindy S Tofthagen; Brent J Small; William E Haley Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2019-03-08 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Joanne Lester; Kara Crosthwaite; Robin Stout; Rachel N Jones; Christopher Holloman; Charles Shapiro; Barbara L Andersen Journal: Oncol Nurs Forum Date: 2015-01 Impact factor: 2.172