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

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

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

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