Posttreatment Experiences of Breast Cancer Survivors in Turkey: A Qualitative Study.

OBJECTIVES: This study aimed to explore the posttreatment experiences of breast cancer survivors in Turkey. DATA SOURCES: The study was conducted in Turkey between February 2020 and April 2020 with 18 breast cancer survivors who completed the treatment process. The data were collected using the individual in-depth interview method with the semi-structured interview form. The interviews were transcribed verbatim, and the data were analyzed using the seven-step Colaizzi method. The Consolidated Criteria for Reporting Qualitative Research (COREQ) checklist was used to report the study. CONCLUSION: Four main themes emerged in the study which are symptom management, emotional responses, change in life, and challenges in health care. The cancer survivors in Turkey reported that moral values had more meaning for them after treatment, they started to feel extremely worried about their children, they tried to manage their own processes with the information they themselves gained and with some support systems, and they experienced radical changes in their family and social relations. In addition, cancer survivors criticized the inadequacy of health care services, including relapse follow-up after the treatment process. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: This study provides an overview of the lived experiences of posttreatment breast cancer survivors in Turkey. The findings of this study can be used to better understand breast cancer survivors, identify their needs based on their experience, and develop interventions to improve patient outcomes.

The effect of slow-stroke back massage on chemotherapy-related fatigue in women with breast cancer: An assessor blinded, parallel group, randomized control trial.

OBJECTIVE: This randomized controlled parallel-group trial was conducted to investigate the effect of slow-stroke back massage (SSBM) on the level of fatigue in women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy. METHODS: Sixty-four women with breast cancer receiving chemotherapy were randomly assigned to SSBMG (n:32), who received SSBM, and CG (n:32), who received routine treatment only. Women with breast cancer in the intervention group received SSBM for a total of 20 min, 10 min before and after each chemotherapy infusion (2nd, 3rd, and 4th cycle). The Brief Fatigue Inventory (BFI) was completed before and after three cycles of chemotherapy (2nd, 3rd, and 4th) to assess the level of fatigue in women with breast cancer. RESULTS: After using SSBM, the BFI score was significantly lower in SSBMG than in CG (p 0.001) at all three-time points (1st, 2nd, and 3rd-time points). While the within-group change (Δ) in SSBMG differed significantly between time points (p = 0.018, η2 = 0.14), in contrast, the within-group change (Δ) in CG was found not to differ between time points. CONCLUSION: This study has shown that SSBM, one of the non-pharmacological methods, has a positive effect on the level of fatigue in women with breast cancer.

The preliminary effects of henna on chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy in women receiving oxaliplatin-based treatment: A parallel-group, randomized, controlled pilot trial.

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) may frequently occur in patients receiving oxaliplatin-based treatment. The aim of the present parallel-group, randomized, controlled pilot trial was to investigate the effect of henna on CIPN in women receiving oxaliplatin-based treatment. METHOD: Sixty female patients receiving oxaliplatin-based treatment were randomly divided into two groups, i.e., one intervention group (n = 30) where henna was applied topically and one control group (n = 30) that received routine treatment and care. Women in the intervention group were provided a pack of henna prepared by the investigators following each treatment course (2nd, 3rd, and 4th courses) and were instructed to apply the henna on their palms, fingers, and soles. The chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy assessment tool (CIPNAT) was completed by women subsequent to the 2nd (baseline), 3rd, and 4th courses of treatment. RESULTS: The intragroup assessment performed for the intervention group revealed that the total CIPNAT score significantly declined in the intervention group (p < 0.05). The score changes by time in the intervention and control groups were in favour of the intervention group, and the effect size for group × time interaction was η2 = 0.169. Similarly, regarding the symptoms intervention section of the tool, a positive change by time in the intervention group was observed, and the effect size concerning this change was large, i.e., η2 = 0.284. CONCLUSIONS: The present study results showed that henna application on hands and feet has a beneficial effect on peripheral neuropathy. Applying henna is a promising approach in CIPN management.