Quality of life of breast cancer survivors in selected areas of Cavite / by Charmaine P. De Lara, Maria Patrisha Nicole C. Flores and Dexter R. Serafica.

Thesis (Bachelor of Science in Nursing) Cavite State University.

Includes bibliographical references.

College of Nursing (CON)

DE LARA, CHARMAINE P., FLORES, MARIA PATRISHA NICOLE C.,
SERAFICA, DEXTER R., Quality of Life of Breast Cancer Survivors in Selected
Areas of Cavite. Undergraduate Thesis. Research problem. Bachelor of Science in Nursing College of Nursing, Cavite State University, Indang, Cavite, May 2019, Adviser:Sunny Rose M. Ferrera, RN, MAN.
The study was conducted to determine the quality of life of five breast cancer survivors residing in selected areas of Cavite namely: Dasmarinas City, Imus city, Indang, and Trece Martires City. This study was conducted from March 2018 to December 2018.
This study used qualitative phenomenological research design which used different methods such as conducting interviews, document reading, and visiting places to understand and examined the participants. Researchers depended on the participants own perspectives to provide insight into their motivation.
The researchers used purposive sampling wherein the researchers handpicked the subjects who were judged to be typical of the population or represent each respondent desired for the study.
This study used questionnaire as a guide instrument in gathering data and audio or voice recording in collecting information for each selected participant. The first part encompassed breast cancer survivors' demographic profile in terms of age, sex, religion, civil status, highest educational attainment, employment status, and monthly family income answered by the selected participants before the proper interview. The second part consists of guideline questions prepared by the researchers for the interview process which was combined with semi — structured questions.
The mean age of breast cancer survivors was 60 years old who were all diagnosed with breast cancer. Two participants were diagnosed with stage 3 breast cancer; two participants were diagnosed with stage 2A breast cancer while one participant was diagnosed with stage 2B breast cancer. All of them passed the inclusion criteria.
It was analyzed through concept mapping, clustering and emerging themes based the researchers’ guided questions to the participants.
The themes discovered were their quality of life during the disease; the body changes that occurred and facing confidence; function with no limitation; being brave and positive; with no to negative; faith saved the one who got sick; Social interaction became strong making life longer; having no job but surviving.
This study shows that all participants in terms of their physical and physiological aspects during the disease, 100% perceived benefit from their adjuvant treatment. However sustained problems such as hair loss, body weakness, weight loss, pain, numbness, disturbed sleeping pattern and loss of appetite were observed that lowered their quality of life.
In terms of the breast cancer survivors' psychological aspects during the disease, the researchers believed that patients with breast cancer in any stage may experience emotional distress such as fear, state of shock, and depression.
Based on this study, the researchers concluded that the family and social support is vital and essential in having a better quality of life especially for those who are battling cancer.

The researchers also conclude that a breast cancer survivor who has overcome many challenges during the disease but now has a high standard of quality of life could see that this is a way of God to make her feel that this second chance of life is a time of giving back with selfless service and dedication.

Submitted to the University Library 09/26/2019 T-8640