Radiotherapy-related symptom experiences of patients diagnosed with breast cancer: a qualitative study

Year 2026, Volume: 19 Issue: 1, 180 - 197, 30.03.2026

Zeynep Karakuş , Fatma Arıkan , Zeynep Özer , Funda Kartöz , Timur Koca , Aylin Fidan Korcum Sahin

https://izlik.org/JA22TT96KH

Abstract

Aim: This study aimed to explore in-depth the radiotherapy-related symptom experiences of patients with breast cancer. Method: This qualitative study was conducted with patients with breast cancer who were treated in the radiation oncology unit of a university hospital between February and April 2025. A total of 16 participants who met the inclusion criteria were included in the study. Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using a personal information form and a semi-structured interview form. Descriptive and thematic analysis were used in data analysis. Results: Five main themes and 17 subthemes were identified reflecting the participants' radiotherapy-related symptom experiences. The main themes identified in the study were physical difficulties, psychological difficulties, social difficulties, coping, and awareness and achievements. Participants stated that social support, hope, motivation, faith, worship, trust in the team, and adherence to recommendations offered by healthcare professionals, etc. were important in coping with the challenges they experienced during the treatment process. The study determined that participants gained awareness of the value of health, the importance of health checkups, and realized their own strengths. Conclusion: Breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy experience significant physical, psychological, and social difficulties and use various coping strategies to cope with these difficulties. It is recommended that all healthcare professionals, especially nurses, be aware of the challenges patients may face during treatment and empower patients by collaborating with their families and teams to prevent or facilitate the management of these challenges.

Keywords

Breast cancer , nursing , qualitative research , radiotherapy

Meme kanseri tanılı hastaların radyoterapi ilişkili semptom deneyimleri: nitel bir çalışma

https://izlik.org/JA22TT96KH

Abstract

Amaç: Bu çalışmanın amacı, meme kanseri tanılı hastaların radyoterapi ilişkili semptom deneyimlerinin derinlemesine incelenmesidir. Yöntem: Bu nitel çalışma, Şubat-Nisan 2025 tarihleri arasında bir üniversite hastanesinin radyasyon onkolojisi ünitesinde tedavi alan meme kanseri tanılı hastalar ile yürütülmüştür. Çalışmaya, dahil edilme kriterlerini karşılayan toplam 16 katılımcı alınmıştır. Veriler, kişisel bilgi formu ve yarı yapılandırılmış görüşme formu kullanılarak yüz yüze görüşme yöntemi ile toplanmıştır. Verilerin analizinde betimsel ve tematik analiz kullanılmıştır. Bulgular: Çalışmada katılımcıların radyoterapi ilişkili semptom deneyimini yansıtan beş ana tema ve 17 alt tema belirlenmiştir. Çalışmada belirlenen ana temalar; fiziksel zorluklar, psikolojik zorluklar, sosyal zorluklar, baş etme ile farkındalık ve kazanımlardır. Katılımcıların tedavi sürecinde deneyimledikleri zorluklar ile baş etmede sosyal destek, umut, motivasyon, inanç, ibadet, ekibe güven ve sağlık profesyonelleri tarafından sunulan önerilere uyma gibi unsurların önemli olduğunu belirtmişlerdir. Çalışmada katılımcıların sağlığın değeri, sağlık kontrollerinin önemi konusunda farkındalık kazandığı ve kendi güçlerinin farkına vardıkları belirlenmiştir. Sonuç: Bu çalışmada, radyoterapi uygulanan meme kanseri tanılı hastaların fiziksel, psikolojik ve sosyal açıdan önemli zorluklar yaşadıkları ve bu zorluklarla mücadele etmek için farklı baş etme yöntemleri kullandıkları belirlenmiştir. Hemşireler başta olmak üzere tüm sağlık profesyonellerinin radyoterapi kararı ile birlikte hastaların tedavi süresince karşılaşabileceği zorlukların farkında olmaları, bu zorlukların önlenmesi ya da yönetiminin kolaylaştırılması için aile ve ekip ile iş birliği yaparak hastaları güçlendirmeleri önerilmektedir.

Keywords

Hemşirelik , meme kanseri , nitel araştırma , radyoterapi

Ethical Statement

Araştırmanın yürütülebilmesi için XXXX Üniversitesi Tıbbi Bilimsel Araştırmalar Etik Kurulu’ndan etik kurul izni (Karar No: TBAEK-162 ve Tarih: 30.01.2025) ve araştırmanın uygulandığı hastaneden kurum izin alınmıştır. Araştırmaya dahil edilen katılımcılara araştırma hakkında bilgilendirme yapıldıktan sonra yazılı onamları alınmıştır.

Supporting Institution

Bulunmamaktadır.

Thanks

Araştırmamıza katılmaya gönüllü olan tüm katılımcılara teşekkür ederiz.

References

• World Health Organization (WHO), International Agency for Research on Cancer (IARC), GLOBOCAN, 2022. Cancer Today. Erişim: https://gco.iarc.fr/today/en/dataviz/pie?mode=cancer&group_populations=1&types=1, 01.09.2025.
• Kasgri KA, Abazari M, Badeleh SM, Badeleh KM, Peyman N. Comprehensive review of breast cancer consequences for the patients and their coping strategies: A systematic review. Cancer Control 2024;31:1-24.
• Metsälä E, Schroderus-Salo T, Straume K, Strom B, Marmy L, Øynes M, Pires Jorge JA, Randle L, Kivistik S. The factors for success and lack of success in the breast cancer patient care pathway: A qualitative study from the health care staff perspective. Eur J Breast Health 2022;18(3):222-28.
• Uysal N, Yeter S, Donay A, Bektas K, Olcay G, Nesrin C. Supportive care needs and distress levels of patients undergoing radiotherapy. Int J Caring Sci. 2019;12(2):1064-72.
• Merwe DVD. Equipment, quality assurance and quality control. Rosenblatt E, Zubizarreta E. Radiotherapy in cancer care: Facing the global challenge: International Atomic Energy Agency Vienna; 2017. 129-142.
• Ciria-Suarez L, Jiménez-Fonseca P, Palacín-Lois M, Antoñanzas-Basa M, Fernández-Montes A, Manzano-Fernández A, Castelo B, Asensio-Martínez E, Hernando-Polo S, Calderon C. Breast cancer patient experiences through a journey map: A qualitative study. PLoS ONE 2021;16(9):e0257680.
• Fabi A, Rossi A, Mocini E, Cardinali L, Bonavolontà V, Cenci C, Magno S, Barberi V, Moretti A, Besharat ZM, Iolascon G, Baldari C, Ferretti E, Botticelli A, Paris I, Scambia G, Migliaccio S. An integrated care approach to improve well-being in breast cancer patients. Curr Oncol Rep 2024;26(4):346-58.
• Habibullah G, Gul R, Cassum S, Elahi R. Experiences of the breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy at a public hospital Peshawar Pakistan. Asia Pac J Oncol Nurs 2018;5(2):184-94.
• Kedida BD, Mukacho MM, Alemayehu M, Samuiel S, Kussa S, Sisay Y, Markos D, Mimani W. Women’s experiences with breast cancer during diagnosis and therapy, Wolaita, Ethiopia: A qualitative study. BMC Womens Health 2024;24:176; 1-13.
• Lu X, Yin Y, Geng W, Liu L, Liu F, Zhang Z. Acute skin toxicity and self-management ability among Chinese breast cancer radiotherapy patients: A qualitative study. Support Care Cancer 2024;32(6):394.
• Şengün İnan F, Üstün B. Experiences of Turkish survivors of breast cancer: Neuman systems model perspective. Jpn J Nurs Sci. 2016;13(4):466-77.
• Koçak AT, Arslan S, Ilik Y, editors. Posttreatment experiences of breast cancer survivors in Turkey: A qualitative study. Semin Oncol Nurs 2022;38(6):151351.
• Grilo AM, Santos B, Baptista I, Monsanto F. Exploring the cancer patients' experiences during external radiotherapy: A systematic review and thematic synthesis of qualitative and quantitative evidence. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2021;52:101965.
• Chu C-N, Hu K-C, Wu RS-C, Bau D-T. Radiation-irritated skin and hyperpigmentation may impact the quality of life of breast cancer patients after whole breast radiotherapy. BMC Cancer 2021;21(1):330.
• Saunders B, Sim J, Kingstone T, Baker S, Waterfield J, Bartlam B, Burroughs H, Jinks C. Saturation in qualitative research: Exploring its conceptualization and operationalization. Qual Quant 2018;52(4):1893-907.
• Braun V, Clarke V. Using thematic analysis in psychology. Qual Res Psychol 2006;3(2):77-101.
• Tong A, Sainsbury P, Craig J. Consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ): A 32-item checklist for interviews and focus groups. Int J Qual Health Care 2007;19(6):349-57.
• Lincoln YSEG. Naturalistic inquiry. Newbury Park, CA Sage Publications; 1985.
• Zheng X, Peng P, Wang Y, Bian L, Zhao K, Shi A, Jiang Z, Zhao L, Jiang J, Zhang S. The impact of exercise during radiotherapy on treatment-related side effects in breast cancer patients: A systematic review and meta-analysis. Int J Nurs Stud 2025;163:104990.
• Khajoei R, Azadeh P, ZohariAnboohi S, Ilkhani M, Nabavi FH. Breast cancer survivorship needs: A qualitative study. BMC Cancer 2024;24(1):96.
• Smith MD, Manning J, Nielsen M, Hayes SC, Plinsinga ML, Coppieters MW. Exploring women's experiences with persistent pain and pain management following breast cancer treatment: A qualitative study. Front Pain Res (Lausanne) 2023;4:1095377.
• West K, Schneider M, Wright C, Beldham-Collins R, Coburn N, Tiver K, Gebski V, Stuart KE. Radiation‐induced oesophagitis in breast cancer: Factors influencing onset and severity for patients receiving supraclavicular nodal irradiation. J Med Imaging Radiat Oncol 2020;64(1):113-9.
• Probst H, Rosbottom K, Crank H, Stanton A, Reed H. The patient experience of radiotherapy for breast cancer: a qualitative investigation as part of the SuPPORT 4 All study. Radiography 2021;27(2):352-9.
• Shaverdian N, Wang X, Hegde JV, Aledia C, Weidhaas JB, Steinberg ML, McCloskey SA. The patient's perspective on breast radiotherapy: Initial fears and expectations versus reality. Cancer 2018;124(8):1673-81.
• Kyei K, Oswald J, Njoku A, Kyei J, Vanderpuye V. Anxiety and depression among breast cancer patients undergoing treatment in Ghana. Afr J Biomed Res 2020;23(2):227-32.
• Yang Y, Cameron J, Bedi C, Humphris G. Fear of cancer recurrence trajectory during radiation treatment and follow-up into survivorship of patients with breast cancer. BMC Cancer 2018;18(1):1002.
• Gimson E, Greca Dottori M, Clunie G, Yan Zheng C, Wiseman T, Joyce E, McGregor A, McNair H. Not as simple as "fear of the unknown": A qualitative study exploring anxiety in the radiotherapy department. Eur J Cancer Care 2022;31(2):e13564.
• Knibbs V, Manley S. Being away from home for cancer treatment: A qualitative study of patient experience and supportive care needs during radiation therapy. J Med Radiat Sci 2022;69(3):336-47.
• Su JA, Yeh DC, Chang CC, Lin TC, Lai CH, Hu PY, Ho YF, Chen VC, Wang TN, Gossop M. Depression and family support in breast cancer patients. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2017;13:2389-96.
• Dong R, Mohamad Aun NS, Sofia Amin A, Hassan N. Psychosocial factors promoting resilience in breast cancer survivors: A qualitative study. SAGE Open 2025;15(1):21582440251323654.