The Effect of BeHaS Be Happy and Strong Program on Self Esteem, Fatigue and Anxiety in Postoperative Care Patients with Breast Cancer / 기본간호학회지

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to identify effects of the BeHaS program on self esteem, fatigue and anxiety in postoperative care patients with breast cancer who had surgery with, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, with or without current hormone therapy. METHODS: This study was a 2-group quasi-experimental research study with a pre and post test design. Fifty-four patients with breast cancer were assigned to the experimental (n=29) or control group (n=25). The BeHaS program which strengthens self esteem through support over a 90-minute period, consists of theme activity (30 minutes), education (15 minutes), group support (15 minutes) and exercise (30 minutes). The experimental group participated in the program once a week for 10 weeks, but the control group was not involved. Data were gathered from October to December, 2008 using a questionnaire with measures of self esteem, fatigue and anxiety. Data were analyzed using t-test with SPSS Win 12.0 to identify differences between the groups. RESULTS: Self esteem was significantly increased (p= .001) and fatigue significantly decreased (p= .013) in the experimental group. But there was no significant difference in anxiety (p= .868). CONCLUSION: These results suggest that the BeHaS program for patients with breast cancer had beneficial effects on self esteem and fatigue.

A Study on Behaviors for Preventing Recurrence and Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Survivors / 간호학회지

PURPOSE: This study was to identify behaviors preventing the recurrence of breast cancer and the level of quality of life. METHODS: This descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from November 1, 2006 to December 25, 2006 . One hundred and twenty two women breast cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling. RESULTS: The most frequent behavior for preventing recurrence of the breast cancer was dietary treatment (90.9%) and exercise (86.8%) was the second behavior. In addition, most of them perceived these behaviors as 'very effective' (82.8%). The degree of the quality of life of a breast cancer survivor was 5.34 point indicating a 'medium level'. CONCLUSION: Breast cancer survivors pursued various behaviors for preventing recurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, the nursing interventions should be focused on a systematic educational approach considering healthy behaviors to prevent breast cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors.