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. © 1997 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.
SUMMARYTwenty-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.
To assess their attitudes toward patient input in medical decisions for breast cancer patients, 67 oncologists, 94 oncology nurses and 288 patients from a women's clinic completed the Beisecker Locus of Authority in Decision Making: Breast Cancer survey. Nurses and physicians responded in terms of a patient aged 40, 60, or 75 years. All groups believed that physicians should have the dominant role in decision making. Nurses felt that patients should have more input than patients or physicians felt they should. Physicians advocated the least patient input. Patient age was not a significant factor in explaining respondents' attitudes.
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