SUMMARY
OBJECTIVE:
The aim of this study was to investigate the symptom management and the functional status of women who underwent surgery for breast cancer.
METHODS:
This cross-sectional descriptive study was conducted in a university hospital surgical oncology clinic. This study was conducted on 80 patients who had undergone breast cancer surgery in the last 5 years in a surgical oncology clinic of a university hospital. Study data were collected using the patient identification form, Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy Scale Related to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer, and Functional Living Index-Cancer. The data were analyzed with the SPSS program.
RESULTS:
The mean total score of Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy Scale Related to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer was found to be 157.28±36.86, and the mean total score of the Functional Living Index-Cancer was found to be 103.79±18.77. When the correlation between the Functional Living Index-Cancer and Symptom-Management Self-Efficacy Scale Related to Chemotherapy in Breast Cancer scales used in the study was examined, it was determined that there was a positive statistically significant correlation (p<0.05) between the subscale and scale total scores.
CONCLUSION:
As a result of the study, it was determined that the self-efficacy and functional status of the patients were poor. Their functional status was also determined to be improved as the symptom self-efficacy levels increased.
KEYWORDS:
Breast cancer; Disease management; Functional status; Symptom cluster; Health status; Mastectomy