scholarly journals PERCEPTION OF CANCER PATIENTS ON CHEMOTHERAPY SIDE EFFECTS

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
pp. 71-76
Author(s):  
Rani Lisa Indra ◽  
Bayu Saputra

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. 

2018 ◽  
Vol 8 (5) ◽  
pp. 448-454 ◽  
Author(s):  
Deogratias M Katabalo ◽  
Raphael Matinde ◽  
Stanley Mwita ◽  
Karoli Marwa ◽  
Nestory Masalu

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.


Author(s):  
AJAY MEHTA ◽  
SUCHITRA MEHTA ◽  
PRASAD THAKURDESAI

Objective: The objective of the study was to evaluate the effects of IND02 (standardized Cinnamon bark extract) supplementation for the prevention of side effects of cancer chemotherapy in female patients with breast cancer. Methods: The study was conducted using double-blind, placebo-controlled design in 34 female breast cancer patients during the first 4 consecutive 21-day cycles of the standard chemotherapy regimen. The active treatment (IND02 capsules, 400 mg, one capsule, and thrice a day) or matching placebo was orally administrated in randomized (1:1 ratio) patients. The efficacy outcome measures were reduction in chemotherapy-induced weight loss, alopecia (hair fall), and other side effects. The safety outcome measures were hematology, ECG, vital signs, adverse event monitoring, and laboratory safety measurements. Results: The patients on the treatment with IND02 had shown significant protection from chemotherapy-induced severe weight loss (cachexia) and alopecia (reduced hair density and % hairs in the anagen phase, and increased % hairs in telogen phase) which was seen in the placebo group. IND02 treatment was found safe and well-tolerated during the study. Conclusion: Concomitant use of IND02 in breast cancer patients during breast cancer chemotherapy showed a clinical promise regarding efficacy and safety in preventing chemotherapy-induced weight loss and alopecia.


2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9083-9083
Author(s):  
C. Mom ◽  
C. Buijs ◽  
P. H. Willemse ◽  
H. Boezen ◽  
J. Maurer ◽  
...  

9083 Background: Breast cancer patients who become postmenopausal due to their treatment can experience more frequent and severe hot flashes than healthy postmenopausal women. Estrogens are considered to be contra-indicated. Venlafaxine and clonidine are both used to alleviate hot flashes, with different side effects. This study compared side effects, efficacy and patient preference. Methods: In a double-blind, cross-over study women <60 years, with a history of breast cancer, and experiencing at least 14 hot flashes/week were randomized to receive venlafaxine 75 mg od (and placebo bid) for 8 weeks, followed by a 2 week wash-out period, and 8 weeks of clonidine 0.025 mg bid (and placebo od) or vice versa. Hot flash frequency and hot flash score (frequency × severity) were recorded in a diary and side effects were scored using a questionnaire during the 2nd and 8th week of both treatment periods, and these were compared to a baseline week. Results: Sixty patients were randomized to start with venlafaxine (n=30) and clonidine (n=30), 40 completed both treatment periods. Premature treatment discontinuation occurred in 15/59 patients during venlafaxine and in 5/53 during clonidine due to side effects (p<0.05). The main side effects of venlafaxine were nausea and headache, and of clonidine dry mouth. In the 8th week of treatment women reported more loss of appetite (24% vs 4%; p=0.03) and improved sleeping (55% vs 75%; p=0.03) with venlafaxine. A =50% reduction in hot flash score was found in 21 (49%) and 26 (55%) of the patients with venlafaxine and clonidine respectively (ns). The decrease in hot flash score was most marked in the first treatment period. At study completion 20 (33%) of the patients chose to continue clonidine, and 17 (29%) preferred venlafaxine (ns), whereas 23 (38%) declined further treatment. Conclusions: Venlafaxine and clonidine are both moderately and equally effective in the reduction of hot flashes. Side effects are the main reason for discontinuation, occurring more often during treatment with venlafaxine. No significant financial relationships to disclose.


2017 ◽  
Vol 28 ◽  
pp. v644 ◽  
Author(s):  
B. Ataseven ◽  
J. Frindte ◽  
P. Harter ◽  
G. Göke ◽  
J. Holtschmidt ◽  
...  

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sanna Iivanainen ◽  
Tuomo Alanko ◽  
Pia Vihinen ◽  
Teemu Konkola ◽  
Jussi Ekstrom ◽  
...  

BACKGROUND Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICIs) have become a standard of care for various tumor types. Their unique spectrum of side effects demands continuous and long-lasting assessment of symptoms. Electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) follow-up has been shown to improve survival and quality of life of cancer patients treated with chemotherapy. OBJECTIVE This study aimed to investigate whether ePRO follow-up of cancer patients treated with ICIs is feasible. The study analyzed (1) the variety of patient reported symptoms, (2) etiology of alerts, (3) symptom correlations, and (4) patient compliance. METHODS In this prospective, one-arm, multi-institutional study, we recruited adult cancer patients whose advanced cancer was treated with anti-programmed cell death protein 1 (PD)- ligand (L)1 agents in outpatient settings. The ePRO tool consisted of a weekly questionnaire evaluating the presence of typical side effects, with an algorithm assessing the severity of the symptom according to National Cancer Institute Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events and an urgency algorithm sending alerts to the care team. A patient experience survey was conducted monthly. The patients were followed up to 6 months or until disease progression. RESULTS A total of 889 symptom questionnaires was completed by 37 patients (lung cancer, n=15; melanoma, n=9; genitourinary cancer, n=9; head and neck cancer, n=4). Patients showed good adherence to ePRO follow-up. The most common grade 1 symptoms were fatigue (28%) and itching (13%), grade 2 symptoms were loss of appetite (12%) and nausea (12%), and grade 3-4 symptoms were cough (6%) and loss of appetite (4%). The most common reasons for alerts were loss of appetite and shortness of breath. In the treatment benefit analysis, positive correlations were seen between clinical benefit and itching as well as progressive disease and chest pain. CONCLUSIONS According to the results, ePRO follow-up of cancer patients receiving ICIs is feasible. ePROs capture a wide range of symptoms. Some symptoms correlate to treatment benefit, suggesting that individual prediction models could be generated. CLINICALTRIAL Clinical Trials Register, NCT3928938; https://clinicaltrials.gov/ct2/show/NCT03928938


2016 ◽  
Vol 11 (4) ◽  
pp. 14-19 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sharmila Gurung ◽  
Radha Acharya Pandey

jdjBackground & Objectives: These side effects of chemotherapy affect the patients’ daily life and quality of life adversely. It affects the different body system resulting in physical and non physical (psychosocial) side effects. Cancer patients demand information to understand chemotherapy-related adverse effects and actions to be taken. The aim of the study is to find out the perception of side effects of chemotherapy among cancer patients.Materials and methods: A descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among 200 cancer patients, using purposive sampling technique and data was collected via face to face interview. Descriptive as well as inferential statistics (T-test) was used to see the significant difference between dependent and independent variables.Results: The overall perceived side effects of chemotherapy include: affects work and home duties (non physical side effect), followed by anxiety, loss of appetite, affects family, affect partner, feel constantly tired (fatigue), affects social activities, feel irritable, nausea and constipation respectively. There is significant difference between perception of side effects of chemotherapy and gender of respondents.Conclusion: The perceptions of side effects of chemotherapy are different from individual to individual. Patient’s perception of side effects of chemotherapy is concerned with non physical side effects rather than physical side effects.Journal of College of Medical Sciences-Nepal, Vol.11(4) 2015: 14-19


2017 ◽  
Vol 35 (31_suppl) ◽  
pp. 211-211
Author(s):  
Su-Jin Koh ◽  
So Yeon Oh ◽  
Ji Yeon Baek ◽  
Kyung A. Kwon ◽  
Hei-Cheul Jeung ◽  
...  

211 Background: Malnutrition and a loss of muscle mass are frequent in cancer patients and have a negative effect on clinical outcome. Nutrition risk screening aims to increase awareness and allow early recognition and treatment of cancer cachexia. Therefore, screenings should be brief, inexpensive, highly sensitive, and have good specificity. SNAQ is a simple screening tool including 4 questions, and validated to predict weight loss within 6 months in community-dwelling adults and nursing home residents. Our study aimed to translate the SNAQ into Korean, and to assess the validity and reliability of the translated screening tool in advanced cancer patients. Methods: The SNAQ was translated into Korean according to linguistic validation. The internal consistency of the SNAQ was evaluated by Cronbach’s alpha coefficient. Test–retest reliability was evaluated using the intraclass correlation coefficient. Concurrent validity was evaluated by measuring the Pearson’s correlation coefficient between the SNAQ and Mini-Nutritional Assessment (MNA) and Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA). Results: In the 194 patients included in full analysis set, cancer stage was predominantly (98.5%) metastatic, the mean age was 60 years, and the mean BMI was 24 kg/m2. According to MNA score ≤11, 57 patients (29.3%) were malnourished. The mean score of the Korean version of the SNAQ was 13.8 (SD = 2.5) with a range of 6–19. Cronbach’s alpha coefficient was 0.74, and intraclass correlation coefficient was 0.87. The SNAQ was moderately correlated with MNA(r = 0.4043, p < 0.0001) and PG-SGA(r = -0.5297, p < 0.0001). A significant weight loss of 5% of the original body weight within 6 months occurred in 46 (24.7%) of the 186 patients. SNAQ score ≤14 predicted 5% weight loss with a sensitivity of 56.5% and a specificity of 44.3%. Conclusions: The Korean version of the SNAQ had high validity and reliability. SNAQ is useful for the screening tool for advanced cancer patients. The SNAQ had a limitation to predict impending weight loss in advanced cancer patients.


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