“Teachable Moment”: Effects of an Educational Program on Knowledge and Quality of Life of Korean Breast Cancer Survivors

This study utilized a single-arm pretest-posttest design. Participants were tested before and after an educational program to measure changes in knowledge. To measure QOL change, we conducted a QOL survey at the time of enrollment and again 6  months later. Regarding the knowledge test, mean scores increased from 9.62 to 14.74 points following education (p <  0.001). After 6 months, 97 patients completed the QOL survey and the data were analyzed, showing significant improvements in anxiety (p = 0.021), depression (p = 0.003), functional well-being (p = 0.005), and breast cancer subscales of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast Cancer (FACT-B) (p <  0.001). Additionally, the rates of adequate exercise significantly improved (p <  0.001), while rates of alcohol consumption and second cancer screening did not significantly change. One educational program session can improve patient knowledge, QOL, and psychosocial well-being, but is insufficient to achieve significant changes in health behavior.
Source: Journal of Cancer Education - Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research