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Salonen P, Tarkka M-T, Kellokumpu-Lehtinen P-L, Koivisto A-M, Åstedt-Kurki P, Kaunonen M. International Journal of Nursing Practice 2011; 17: 396-410 Individual face-to-face support and quality of life in patients with breast cancer Living with breast cancer significantly affects women's quality of life (QOL) creating a need for support that might persist throughout the breast cancer experience. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of individual face-to-face support on women's QOL and identify factors associated with their QOL. A two-group quasi-experimental design was used with a sample of 204 women who was assigned to the intervention ( n = 112) or the control group ( n = 92) in hospital after breast cancer surgery. Data of this study were collected 6 months after the surgery by structured questionnaires and analysed statistically using descriptive statistics and non-parametric tests. Factors predicting poor QOL were investigated using logistic regression models with enter-method. Women in the intervention group reported less arm symptoms and clinically better sexual functioning. Factors related to QOL were age, education, employment status, lymph node status, type of surgery, type of axillary surgery, received chemotherapy, hormonal therapy and ongoing therapy. Factors, predictive of poor QOL, included control group, age, education, type of surgery, type of axillary surgery, chemotherapy and ongoing therapy. Short-term face-to-face education and support intervention might have decreased arm symptoms and increased sexual functioning. Women with breast cancer should be offered systematic support and education, which is tailored to women's individual needs. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Aims and objectives To evaluate the effect of the Breast Cancer Patient Pathway program on breast cancer patient's empowerment process. Background The results of earlier studies indicate that the use of tailored Internet-based patient education programs increased patient's knowledge level; however, other outcome measures differed. Design This randomised control trial studied the effect of the Internet-based patient educational program on breast cancer patients' empowerment. In this study, we measured the quality of life, anxiety and managing with treatment-related side effects as the outcomes of breast cancer patients' empowering process. Methods Breast cancer patients who were Internet users in one Finnish university hospital during 2008-2010 were randomised to the control group ( n = 43) and the intervention group ( n = 47). Baseline data were collected first in the hospital and the following data seven times during the treatment process, the last time one year after breast cancer diagnosis. Results There were no statistically significant differences in the quality of life, anxiety or side effects of treatment between the groups. The amount of treatment-related side effects was connected to both physical and psychological well-being. Conclusions In this study, the Breast Cancer Patient Pathway program did not decrease anxiety level or treatment-related side effects among breast cancer patients or improve subscales of quality of life when compared with controls. Relevance to clinical practice There is a need to relieve the side effects caused by patients' care with the help of patient education. Internet-based patient education programs need more focus when developing new patient education methods. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]