Open Access, Peer-reviewed
pISSN 2287-2434
eISSN 2287-447X
    Asian Oncol Nurs. 2014 Mar;14(1):7-14. Korean.
    Published online Mar 31, 2014.
    https://doi.org/10.5388/aon.2014.14.1.7
    © 2014 Korean Oncology Nursing Society
    Original Article

    Factors Affecting Symptom Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients: Based on the Theory of Unpleasant Symptoms

    HyoJin Kim,1 Sanghee Kim,2 Hyangkyu Lee,2 and SangEun Oh3
      • 1Division of Nursing, Severance Hospital, Yonsei University Health System, Seoul, Korea.
      • 2College of Nursing, Nursing Policy Research Institute, Yonsei University, Seoul, Korea.
      • 3College of Nursing, Chonnam Research Institute of Nursing Science, Chonnam National University, Gwangju, Korea.
    • Address reprint requests to: Kim, Sanghee. College of Nursing, Yonsei University, 50 Yonsei-ro, Seodaemun-gu, Seoul 120-752, Korea. Tel : +82-2-2228-3388, Fax : +82-2-392-5440, Email: SANGHEEKIM@yuhs.ac
    Received February 12, 2014; Accepted March 26, 2014.

    This is an Open Access article distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution Non-Commercial License (http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by-nc/3.0/) which permits unrestricted non-commercial use, distribution, and reproduction in any medium, provided the original work is properly cited.

    Abstract

    Purpose

    The purpose of this study was to identify the factors affecting symptom experiences of breast cancer patients.

    Methods

    A cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted with based on the Unpleasant symptom Theory. Sixty breast cancer patients were recruited. We measured their symptom experiences, physiologic factors (immune system function and specific perceived symptoms), psychological factors (depression and anxiety), and situational factors (family support). After obtaining permission from the IRB, data were collected from self-report questionnaires and electronic medical records from a single cancer center. Descriptive statistics, t-test, one-way ANOVA, correlations and multiple regressions were used to analyze the data.

    Results

    The most frequent and severe symptoms were fatigue (4.47±2.99), numbness or tingling (3.67±3.08) and sadness (3.45±3.64). Symptom experiences were significantly positively correlated with psychological factors (r=.603, p<.01) and physical symptoms (r=.384, p<.01). Symptom experiences and situational factors (r=.302, p<.05) were had a significantly negative correlation. The factor that had the most impact on symptom experiences were psychological factors, followed by perceived physical symptoms. The regression model explained 44.8% of the variances.

    Conclusion

    Based on the results of this study, the physiological, psychological and situational factors should be considered for caring breast cancer patients.

    Keywords
    Breast Cancer; Symptoms; Nursing Theory; Oncology Nursing

    Figures

    Fig. 1
    Conceptual framework.

    Tables

    Table 1
    Symptom Severity and Symptom Interference (N=60)

    Table 2
    The Degree of Symptom Experiences and Physiological, Psychological, Situational Factors

    Table 3
    Correlations of Symptom Experiences and Affecting Factors (N=60)

    Table 4
    Factors Affecting Symptom Experiences (Severity) of Breast Cancer Patients (N=60)

    Notes

    This article is a condensed form of the first author's master's thesis from Yonsei University.

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    MeSH Terms
    Breast Neoplasms*
    Electronic Health Records
    Ethics Committees, Research
    Fatigue
    Humans
    Hypesthesia
    Nursing Theory
    Oncology Nursing
    Psychology
    Surveys and Questionnaires
    Metrics
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