SIDE-EFFECTS OF ADJUVANT CHEMOTHERAPY - PERCEPTIONS OF NODE-NEGATIVE BREAST-CANCER PATIENTS

Twenty-one node-negative breast cancer patients were interviewed short ly after completing adjuvant chemotherapy and asked about side effects they had experienced, expectation of side effects, and strategies for coping with the side effects. Eighteen of the women were interviewed 6 months later to determine their feelings about the chemotherapy expe rience and ending treatment and what side effects persisted or develop ed after chemotherapy. Hair loss, fatigue, treatment-related problems, nausea and infections/low blood counts were the most frequently descr ibed problems during the first interviews. Patients used coping strate gies suggested by physicians and nurses. Six months later, hair proble ms, fatigue, weight gain, menopausal problems, emotional problems and nail problems were most often reported. Most patients (16/18) did not expect to be experiencing chemotherapy-related problems 6 months after ending treatment. Fatigue interfered with daily lives and weight gain caused concern. A total of 35% of participants experienced fear or an xiety at the end of chemotherapy, but most (62%) recalled at least som e positive feelings 6 months later. Given the same circumstances, all but two would make the same decision to undergo adjuvant chemotherapy. Support groups would be especially useful for patients completing che motherapy who would lose continued frequent support from clinic person nel. (C) 1997 by John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.