Breast Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs After Completion of Radiation Therapy Treatment.

Breast Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs After Completion of Radiation Therapy Treatment. Oncol Nurs Forum. 2020 Jul 01;47(4):436-445 Authors: Pembroke M, Bradley J, Nemeth LS Abstract PURPOSE: To identify the unmet needs of breast cancer survivors after radiation therapy. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: Patients who received radiation therapy for unilateral breast cancer with six months or longer of follow-up and exhibited no disease progression were eligible for selection to a study conducted at an outpatient radiation therapy academic practice in the southeastern United States. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: A qualitative descriptive study was undertaken using semistructured interviews, framed by the five domains of the Survivor Unmet Needs Survey and analyzed using an iterative inductive and deductive process. FINDINGS: Of the 24 invited patients, 17 agreed to the interview (including one male patient). Themes emerged from the emotional, relationships, and information needs domains. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Healthcare providers should perform a comprehensive needs assessment for patients with breast cancer receiving radiation therapy. Self-management assessment instruments may address patients' confidence in managing all phases of radiation therapy side effects. PMID: 32555557 [PubMed - in process]
Source: Oncology Nursing Forum - Category: Nursing Authors: Tags: Oncol Nurs Forum Source Type: research