TY - JOUR
T1 - Side effects of adjuvant chemotherapy
T2 - Perceptions of node-negative breast cancer patients
AU - Beisecker, Analee E.
AU - Cook, Mary R.
AU - Ashworth, Janet
AU - Rayes, Jeanne
AU - Brecheisen, Marci
AU - Helmig, Linda
AU - Siobhanhyland,
AU - Darcyselenke,
PY - 1997
Y1 - 1997
N2 - Twenty-one node-negative breast cancer patients were interviewed shortly after completing adjuvant chemotherapy and asked about side effects they had experienced, expectation of side effects, and strategies for coping with the side effects. Eighteen of the women were interviewed 6 months later to determine their feelings about the chemotherapy experience and ending treatment and what side effects persisted or developed after chemotherapy. Hair loss, fatigue, treatment-related problems, nausea and infections/low blood counts were the most frequently described problems during the first interviews. Patients used coping strategies suggested by physicians and nurses. Six months later, hair problems, fatigue, weight gain, menopausal problems, emotional problems and nail problems were most often reported. Most patients (16/18) did not expect to be experiencing chemotherapy-related problems 6 months after ending treatment. Fatigue interfered with daily lives and weight gain caused concern. A total of 35% of participants experienced fear or anxiety at the end of chemotherapy, but most (62%) recalled at least some positive feelings 6 months later. Given the same circumstances, all but two would make the same decision to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. Support groups would be especially useful for patients completing chemotherapy who would lose continued frequent support from clinic personnel.
AB - Twenty-one node-negative breast cancer patients were interviewed shortly after completing adjuvant chemotherapy and asked about side effects they had experienced, expectation of side effects, and strategies for coping with the side effects. Eighteen of the women were interviewed 6 months later to determine their feelings about the chemotherapy experience and ending treatment and what side effects persisted or developed after chemotherapy. Hair loss, fatigue, treatment-related problems, nausea and infections/low blood counts were the most frequently described problems during the first interviews. Patients used coping strategies suggested by physicians and nurses. Six months later, hair problems, fatigue, weight gain, menopausal problems, emotional problems and nail problems were most often reported. Most patients (16/18) did not expect to be experiencing chemotherapy-related problems 6 months after ending treatment. Fatigue interfered with daily lives and weight gain caused concern. A total of 35% of participants experienced fear or anxiety at the end of chemotherapy, but most (62%) recalled at least some positive feelings 6 months later. Given the same circumstances, all but two would make the same decision to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. Support groups would be especially useful for patients completing chemotherapy who would lose continued frequent support from clinic personnel.
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U2 - 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1611(199706)6:2<85::AID-PON247>3.0.CO;2-T
DO - 10.1002/(SICI)1099-1611(199706)6:2<85::AID-PON247>3.0.CO;2-T
M3 - Article
C2 - 9205966
AN - SCOPUS:0030809279
SN - 1057-9249
VL - 6
SP - 85
EP - 93
JO - Psycho-Oncology
JF - Psycho-Oncology
IS - 2
ER -