Influence of Uncertainty and Uncertainty Appraisal on Quality of Life in Prostate Cancer Patients after Prostatectomy

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to determine the impact of uncertainty and uncertainty appraisal on quality of life (QoL) among prostate cancer patients after prostatectomy. METHODS: A descriptive correlational study was conducted with 117 participants at a hospital in S city from October 1 to December 31, 2016. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Pearson's correlation coefficients and stepwise multiple regression using the IBM SPSS/WIN 21.0 program. RESULTS: According to a multiple regression model of the factors affecting QoL among prostate cancer patients after the operation, 61% of variance (F=13.92, p<.001) was explained by metastasis, recurrence, monthly income, uncertainty, uncertainty danger appraisal, and uncertainty opportunity appraisal. And the most influential factor in the QoL was uncertainty danger appraisal (β=-.37, p<.001). CONCLUSION: This study demonstrated that QoL was influenced by uncertainty, uncertainty appraisal and personal characteristics. Prostate cancer patients following prostatectomy should be provided with tailored training to improve their uncertainty opportunity appraisal. Also the educational program for reducing their uncertainty should be developed and provided to patients.

Relationships among Distress, Family Support, and Health Promotion Behavior in Breast Cancer Survivors

PURPOSE: This study was to investigate relationships among distress, family support, and health promotion behavior in breast cancer survivors. The research design was a descriptive study. METHODS: Data were collected through three structured questionnaires: the 'Distress' by Distress management version 1 (National Comprehensive Cancer Network, NCCN), 'Family support' developed by Cobb, and Health promotion behavior developed by Walker, Sechrist and Pender. The subjects were 213 breast cancer survivors from two general hospitals in B metropolitan city from July. 15 to August 15 2013. The data were analyzed using SPSS 18.0, specifically descriptive statistics, t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe test, and Pearson's correlation coefficients were used. RESULTS: The mean score of distress was 3.91+/-2.59. 50.2% of the subjects reported a distress score of 4 or more. Among these, the most common problems were emotions. Moderate family support and health promotion behavior. Distress showed negative correlations with Family support (r = - .34, p<.001), and health promotion behavior (r= - .23, p=.002). Family support showed positive correlations with health promotion behavior (r=.43, p<.001). CONCLUSION: The health promotion behavior of breast cancer survivors can be improved if family support is improved and distress is decreased. Therefore, a nursing intervention program that leads to improving family support and decreasing the distress of breast cancer survivors is needed to improve health promotion behavior.

Influence of Spiritual Health and Fatigue on Depression in Breast Cancer Patients

PURPOSE: This study was to examine the impact of spiritual health and fatigue on the depression among breast cancer patients. The research design was descriptive study. METHODS: Data were collected through three structured questionnaires: the 'Spiritual Health Scale', developed by Highfield, 'Fatigue Scale' developed and revised by Piper, 'Depression Scale' developed by Zung. The participants of this study were 161 breast cancer patients of both in-patient and out-patient units from two general hospitals in B metropolitan city. The data were analyzed using t-test, ANOVA, Scheffe's test, Pearson's correlation coefficients, and Stepwise multiple regression. RESULTS: Participants with higher depression had lower scores for spiritual health (r= -.71, p<.001) and higher scores for fatigue (r=.57, p<.001). The factors seen as contributing to depression were spiritual health, fatigue and cancer insurance. These variables were explained 57.4% of the variance in depression. spiritual health were explained 50.5%. CONCLUSION: The depression of breast cancer patients can be reduced if spiritual health is impoved and fatigue is decreased. Therefore, we suggest developing nursing intervention program that leads to improve spiritual health and decrease fatigue of breast cancer patients for reducing depression.