Good Bacteria Can Temper Chemotherapy Side Effects

Background: Chemotherapy is the use of drugs to kill cancer cells. Because cancer cells generally grow and divide faster than normal cells, they are more susceptible to the action of these drugs. However, damage to healthy cells is unavoidable, and this damage accounts for the side effects linked to these drugs. Methodology: A cross section study was conducted at oncology department in Bugando Medical Centre. A sample of 216 people was recruited into the study. The data was collected by using the pre-constructed questionnaire. After data collection, the data was transferred into SPSS version 20 and analyzed. Results: The study found that 88 (40.7%) of the respondents were aware of the chemotherapy side effects whereby majority, 68 (77.3%) of these had been informed by the doctor. Most of the respondents, 197 (92.1%) had a positive attitude towards the use of chemotherapy. Conclusion: There is still poor awareness of the chemotherapy side effects among the cancer patients attending and receiving chemotherapy in oncology department at Bugando Medical Centre. However, most of the respondents had positive attitude towards the use of chemotherapy Keywords: Awareness, attitude, chemotherapy, side effects and Tanzania.

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PERCEPTION OF CANCER PATIENTS ON CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS

Jurnal Riset Kesehatan ◽

10.31983/jrk.v10i1.6729 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 10 (1) ◽

pp. 71-76

Author(s):

Rani Lisa Indra ◽

Bayu Saputra

Keyword(s):

Weight Loss ◽

Side Effects ◽

Cancer Patients ◽

Descriptive Study ◽

Fear Of Death ◽

Validity And Reliability ◽

Physical Problems ◽

Chemotherapy Side Effects ◽

Skin Discoloration ◽

Loss Of Appetite

Chemotherapy causes various side effects that can affect the patient's physical or non-physical condition. Patients' perceptions or ratings of these side effects vary. This study aimed to identify cancer patients' perceptions of the side effects of chemotherapy they are undergoing. The descriptive study was conducted on 84 samples, namely cancer patients aged 20 years who had undergone chemotherapy at least once before. Data collection using a questionnaire that has been tested for validity and reliability. Data analysis was carried out descriptively with frequency distribution. The results showed that the perception of the physical side effects of chemotherapy that was considered very disturbing by the patient (severe symptoms) was nausea (59.5%), feeling of weakness (36.9%), hair loss (35.7%), vomiting. (29.8%), loss of appetite (28.6%). %), weight loss (27.4%), insomnia and skin discoloration (19% each), headache (16.7%) and fever (15.5%). When the perception of non-physical side effects was fear of death, affecting work/household duties and feeling fear (15.5% each), feeling anxious about my life, and the presence of family members I have to take care (14.3% each). The most disturbing side effects of chemotherapy are physical problems. The health service is expected to increase interventions to minimize the side effects of chemotherapy.

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