A qualitative analysis of acute skin toxicity among breast cancer radiotherapy patients

Abstract

Objectives One of the most common acute side effects of breast cancer radiotherapy is treatment induced skin changes, referred to as skin toxicity. Yet no research to date has focused expressly on skin toxicity-related quality of life in breast cancer radiotherapy patients. Therefore, our aim was to use qualitative approaches to better understand the impact of skin toxicity on quality of life. Methods Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 20 women (Stage 0-III breast cancer), during their last week of external beam radiotherapy. Each interview was transcribed verbatim, and thematic analysis was performed. Results Three themes were identified based on the interview responses: First, skin changes affect multiple dimensions of quality of life. They cause physical discomfort, body image disturbance, emotional distress, and impair both day-to-day functioning and satisfaction with radiation treatment. Second, individual differences affect women’s experiences. Generally African-American women, younger women, women who are not currently in a relationship, women who are being treated during the summer, and women who are more invested in their appearance are more distressed by skin toxicity. Third, women use a variety of symptom management strategies including self-medication, complementary/alternative medicine approaches, and psychological strategies. Conclusions Implications of results are: 1) Skin toxicity affects numerous dimensions of quality of life, and assessment approaches and psychosocial interventions should address this; 2) individual differences may affect the experience of skin toxicity, and should be considered in treatment and education approaches; and 3) participants’ own creativity and problem-solving should be used to improve the treatment experience.

Engaging patients with radiation related skin discomfort in self-care

“…Furthermore, when these painful open areas are left untreated, complications may occur, resulting in secondary bacterial or fungal infections (Kennedy-Evans, Smith, Viggiano, & Henn, 2007). Patients also experience varying levels of associated emotional distress together with significant physical discomfort (Schnur, Ouellette, Dilorenzo, Green, & Montgomery, 2011). Feelings of pain, burning, itchiness, and pins and needles with heaviness have been described by some BC patients (Paterson, et.al., 2012).…”

Encourager les autosoins chez les patientes souffrant de réactions cutanées dues à la radiothérapie

“…Une analyse exhaustive a, quant à elle, révélé que les changements cutanés causés par la radiothérapie mammaire influent négativement sur plusieurs dimensions de la qualité de vie des femmes, notamment leur bien-être physique et fonctionnel, de même que sur leur niveau de satisfaction par rapport au traitement (Schnur, Ouellette, Dilorenzo, Green et Montgomery, 2011). Les participantes à notre projet d'évalua-tion se sentaient en sécurité, ce qui leur donnait l'impression de maîtriser les répercussions émotionnelles et psychosociales des plaies cutanées, conséquences du diagnostic et du traitement du cancer du sein.…”

“…En outre, si ces plaies ouvertes douloureuses ne sont pas traitées, elles peuvent entraîner des complications comme des infections bactériennes ou fongiques secondaires (KennedyEvans, Barbara et al, 2007). Ces patientes vivent également de la détresse émotionnelle à divers degrés, ainsi qu'un inconfort physique non négligeable (Schnur, Ouellette, Dilorenzo, Green et Montgomery, 2011 de démangeaison, de piqûre, de picotement et de lourdeur ont été rapportées par certaines de ces patientes (Paterson et al, 2012). L'intensité des symptômes peut s'aggraver jusqu'à deux semaines après la dernière séance de radiothérapie.…”

Basic principles of managing radiation and drug induced mucositis and dermatitis for oropharyngeal squamouscell carcinoma

“…Кроме того, пациенты бывают дизадаптированы в силу отказа от привычной одежды, ограничения активности движений и зависимости от помощи. Эмоциональный дискомфорт может быть об-условлен как внешним видом и ощущением непривле-кательности, так и неуверенностью в правильности про-ведения лечения и возможности его перенести [65][66][67].…”