| Cancer-related fatigue (cancer-related fatigue, CRF) is related to tumor therapy in patients with long-term pain and tension arising from a series of subjective feeling, such as weakness, activity intolerance, lack of concentration, motivation and interest reduction. It is the most commonly reported symptoms of patients with cancer, resulting in increased illness, the treatment of the termination. Many studies have shown cancer patients in the incidence of over 60%, with cancer and cancer treatment is the most painful symptoms in patients with a serious impact on the work, study, entertainment, home and family life, a very significant impact on the rehabilitation of the patients, the quality of life and long-term survival. Little research on cancer-related fatigue is done in China, especially for the treatment of breast cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue and self-relief method of study have not been reported.Purpose/Objectives:The study aims to identify the incidence of chemotherapy in breast cancer patients with cancer-related fatigue, to describe the extent and patterns of CRF during the process of chemotherapy. To find ways to alleviate fatigue and the effectiveness of mitigation methods by breast cancer patients themselves. For the majority of health care workers and cancer patients a better understanding of CRF provide basic information to develop effective treatment programs for clinical care and provide a basis for intervention.Methods and Findings:This research is a non-experimental and descriptive, study. The targets are breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy in Gynecological Tumor deparment of affiliated Hospital of Bengbu Medical School and Oncology and cancer chemotherapy Division of the Tumor Rehabilitation Hospital. Take samples of convenience sampling method to choose 110, selection is done in the first three chemotherapy cycles, measuring cancer-related fatigue is done 1-2 days prior to chemotherapy, 5-7 days after chemotherapy, and 15 days after chemotherapy, and also after 15 days of chemotherapy, self fatigue alleviation is evaluated. The ways to alleviate cancer-related fatigue and self-assessment are measured using the revised Piper Fatigue Scale, and Graydon fatigue relief Scale.The research findings show : before chemotherapy, cancer-related fatigue of breast cancer chemotherapy in patients is at middle level,during and after chemotherapy, cancer-related fatigue of breast cancer chemotherapy in patients is at moderate level, and also before, during and after chemotherapy, the fatigue levels are significantly different (F=45.19, P＜0.01). A significantly higher level of fatigue is observed during and after chemotherapy. All the patients experienced fatigue 5～7 days after the chemotherapy cycle,and the overall changing pattern of CRF is similar to the characteristic of "top and bottom".All dimensions of fatigues significantly increased during chemotherapy, at moderate level. Perception dimension and emotional dimension of fatigue scores were higher (5.91+2.56), (5.33+2.11). Dimensions of fatigue after chemotherapy have decreased, with the exception of act dimension at mild level, the remaining three dimensions will remain moderate fatigue, perception dimension has the highest level of fatigue. Before chemotherapy, the factors affecting cancer-related fatigue are treatment, chemotherapy strategy, and medical practice. During chemotherapy only the last two are important.Almost all of the self fatigue allevation methods have been tried by patients, patients think the most effective ones are sleep, lie down and rest, take a nap. The least effective methods are listening to music, social activities, exercise.Conclusions: The results prove in China majority breast cancer patients during chemotherapy experienced a moderate level of fatigue, with the greatest impact on the perception dimension. Patients think that the most effective way to alleviate fatigue are sleeping, lying down and resting, taking naps. |
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