Survivorship in Women Undergoing Gynecological and Breast Cancer Treatment in Upper Egypt: The Impact of Quality of Life Improvement Educational Program
1 Assistant lecturer in Maternal & Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egypt
2 Professor of Oncology, Faculty of Medicine, Beni-Suef University, Egypt
3 Assistant Professor of Obstetrics and Gynecological Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Assuit University, Egypt
*4
Maternal and Newborn Health Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Beni-Suef University, Egyp
Citation: Fatma Saber Nady Mohammed, Mamdouh El-Sherbiny Ramadan Shahin, Entisar Mohammed
Youness, Hanan Elzeblawy Hassan, “Survivorship in Women Undergoing Gynecological and Breast Cancer
Treatment in Upper Egypt: The Impact of Quality of Life Improvement Educational Program”. American Research
Journal of Gynaecology. 2018; 2(1): 1-28.
Abstract
Background: Quality of life data, in cancer care, have played а crucial role in the selection of therapeutic agents that have become the standard of care. However, the dramatic increase in the number of survivors living, five years post-diagnosis of breast and gynecological cancer, benefits related to quality of life have not been achieved. Quality of life issue is of interest in oncology because effective modern methods of treatment and detection have led to an increase in the number of long-term survivors.
Aim: assess the effectiveness of an educational program on quality of life improvement in women undergoing treatment for gynecological and breast cancer.
Study design: Α quasi-experimental study design.
Sample and settings: Α randomly selected sample of 100 women diagnosed with gynecologic and breast cancer that attended El-Miniа Oncology Institute.
Tool: Α structured interview questionnaire included Female Sexual Function Index, Cancer-Specific Stress, and The Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General.
Results: Quality of life of the studied women with breast and gynecological cancer have been improved under the influence of educational program and this improvement has not been only related to the total score of the quality of life but also has occurred in physical, social, emotional, and functional well-being subscales.
Conclusion: The educational program showed evidence of improved quality of life, with a reduction in the sexual dysfunction, and lower stress levels.
Recommendations:Based on findings of the current study, it is suggested to heighten awareness and knowledge about the breast and gynecologic cancer treatment-related side effects among the nursing staff. Keywords: Survivorship, Gynecological Cancer, Breast Cancer, Sexual Dysfunction, Quality of Life.
