Exploring Discomfort Experienced During Chemotherapy in Thai Breast Cancer Patients

Document Type : Research Articles

Authors

1 Faculty of Nursing, Thammasat University, Pathum Thani, Thailand.

2 Department of Nursing, National Cheng Kung University, Tainan, Taiwan.

Abstract

Introduction: Breast cancer is the most common cancer in females worldwide, and a new era is prevalent in the early stage. A qualitative approach explores discomfort experienced during adjuvant chemotherapy among Thai breast cancer patients. Method: The participants were selected by purposive sampling with a variation of two comprehensive cancer centers. Individual in-depth interviews were conducted with fifteen patients who had completed the second cycle of adjuvant chemotherapy prior to the interview. Results: A qualitative content analysis of data revealed two themes, six categories, and 23 sub-categories. The themes defined discomfort characteristics and factors leading to discomfort. Among all the categories were described physical discomfort, environmental discomfort, psychological discomfort, needing to relieve discomfort, lack of socio-cultural support, and lack of mental support. Conclusion: There is a need to alleviate discomfort, specifically due to Thai beliefs and culture related to patient self-management and nursing care. These findings may be extended to best practice nursing interventions to enhance comfort outcomes for breast cancer patients and elevate patient satisfaction.

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Asian Pacific Journal of Cancer Prevention
Volume 24, Issue 2
February 2023
Pages 459-465

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History

  • Receive Date: 02 May 2022
  • Revise Date: 17 November 2022
  • Accept Date: 07 February 2023

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