Factors that Influence Korean Breast Cancer Patients to Undergo Cancer Rehabilitation Therapy

ABSTRACT

PURPOSE: This study was to identify factors that affect breast cancer patients' intentions to participate in cancer rehabilitation therapy. Such findings could be utilized early in the rehabilitation process to improve treatment outcomes and quality of life. METHODS: A cross-sectional study of 300 breast cancer patients (> or =20 years old) receiving post-surgery outpatient care was used. A self-administrated survey was conducted from June 15 to July 25, 2012. The questionnaire included basic subject data, physical symptoms, optimism, and social support. RESULTS: A binary logistic regression analysis revealed that a short post-surgery period (<12 months), having undergone an axillary lymph node dissection, and high physical symptoms were factors that significantly affected participants' intentions to undergo rehabilitation. CONCLUSION: By accurately assessing the factors associated with each patient's decisions regarding cancer rehabilitation therapy at an early stage of treatment and then implementing such individualized rehabilitation, the quality of life for breast cancer patients can be substantially improved.