A correlational study on adverse effects of chemotherapy and embodying body identity among Breast Cancer patients

• Published in: Nursing & midwifery research journal Vol. 17; no. 4; pp. 163 - 171
• Main Authors: Walia, Narinder Kaur, Kaur, Jasbir, Dhiman, Amit K.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: New Delhi, India SAGE Publications 01.10.2021; SAGE PUBLICATIONS, INC
• Subjects: Age groups; Alopecia; Anemia; Baldness; Body image; Breast cancer; Breastfeeding & lactation; Cancer therapies; Chemotherapy; Coping; Correlational studies; Hair; Interviews; Mammography; Nausea; Oncology; Patients; Physiology; Quality of life; Sampling techniques; Self image; Vomiting; Womens health
• ISSN: 0974-150X; 2752-8367
• DOI: 10.1177/0974150X20210402

Introduction: Breast cancer is a malignant growth in the tissues of the breast, is one of the commonest causes of deaths in middle aged women. The chemotherapy is a significant treatment modality to treat breast cancer, however, it has adverse effects having physiological and psychological impact on the breast cancer patients and ultimately on their embodying identity. Objective: To find out correlation between adverse effects experienced and embodying identity perceived among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Methodology: A correlational study was undertaken on 520 breast cancer patients receiving second cycle of chemotherapy by adopting purposive sampling technique from four cancer treatment hospitals. Interview was conducted by using WHO grading of adverse effect and Dr. P Hopwood's body image scale to assess adverse effects and embodying identity respectively among breast cancer patients receiving chemotherapy. Data was analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Results: There was highly negative correlation of alopecia with body image, feminity, physical wellbeing and emotional wellbeing. Similarly, Nausea had high negative correlation with feminity and coping strategies. Vomiting had high negative correlation with emotional wellbeing. Furthermore, Fatigue and Anemia have high negative correlation with physical wellbeing and feminity respectively. Conclusion: Majority of breast cancer women receiving chemotherapy suffered from severe alopecia and fatigue followed by mild to moderate level of nausea and vomiting. It has been depicted that adverse effects have considerable impact on embodying identity of the patients. Most significantly, majority of the adverse effects can be minimized by enhancing the body image, femininity, physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing and coping strategies.