The Correlation of Socio Demographic and Knowledge Factors Toward Therapy Options among Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract

The high prevalence and incidence of breast cancer patients poses a threat to the life quality of Indonesian women. Beside the patient’s condition, therapy options are also a factor faced by both the patients and their families. This research aims at describing socio demographic and knowledge factors relating to therapy options of breast cancer patients. Cross-sectional research was conducted directly to the people (community-based and hospital-based) from 198 cancer patients in the main region, West Java Province. Data was collected through face-to-face interviews with patients, with or without their family. The data was analyzed using statistical software to yield a correlation between socio demographic and knowledge factors on therapy options. The findings of this research shows that there is a significant relation between socio demographic factor (physical condition (p=0.002), emotional condition (p=0.000), patient’s age (p=0.000), marital status (p=0.000), family status (p=0.000), faith (p=0.032), and income (p=0.026)) and the knowledge factor (knowledge about illness (p=0.045), the cause of breast cancer (p=0.000), indications and early symptoms of breast cancer (p=0.014), indications and symptoms during breast cancer therapy (p=0.000), therapy for breast cancer (p=0.000), and treatment on indications and symptoms (p=0.000)) with therapy options. Therapy options can be impacted by socio demographic and knowledge factors, although considerations from family also play a key role. In this context, the nurse plays the role as an advocate to raise awareness on the importance of treatment to healthcare facilities, thus the people can make a well-informed choice on their therapy. The uniqueness of the research showed the characteristic of patients, and therapies option in the multi medical system in Indonesia.

The Balance of Spiritual and Nutritional Needs Improves the Well-being of Cancer Patients during Chemotherapy

“…Subsequently, from some literature, it was reported that spirituality is a strong predictor and promoter of psychological health [4]; [5]. It is in line with the results from [6], [7], [8]which states when the patient reaches the end of life, there becomes a need to fulfill spiritual needs. In addition to this, previous research had suggested that spirituality can increase the patient's endurance to mental health crisis after cancer diagnosis and treatment [9]; [10]; [11].…”