Purpose: Examine illness perceptions, functional health and quality of life of lung cancer patients throughout chemotherapy treatment.Patients and Methods: Longitudinal design with baseline measure... Show morePurpose: Examine illness perceptions, functional health and quality of life of lung cancer patients throughout chemotherapy treatment.Patients and Methods: Longitudinal design with baseline measure 12 days after the first chemotherapy and follow-up measure 3 months later, where illness perceptions (BIPQ), functional health, and quality of life (EORTC QLQ-C-30) were measured. A total of 21 patients with non-small-cell lung cancer took part. Non-parametric testing was performed given the pilot nature of the study and the associated relatively small sample size.Results: Small to medium changes in illness perceptions and functional health between the two measurement points were detected, with both becoming more positive. More negative illness perceptions at the beginning of the treatment were associated with less functioning and lower quality of life at both beginning and end of treatment.Conclusion: Addressing illness perceptions seems a clinically relevant approach in improving functioning and quality of life of patients with non-small-cell lung cancer. Show less
Kroep, J.R.; Werkhoven, E. van; Polee, M.; Groeningen, C.J. van; Beeker, A.; Erdkamp, F.; ... ; Gelderblom, H. 2015
As part of the development of a quality of life monitor for women with breast cancer, a qualitative acceptability test was conducted among 10 patients, to assess their suggestions for improvement.... Show moreAs part of the development of a quality of life monitor for women with breast cancer, a qualitative acceptability test was conducted among 10 patients, to assess their suggestions for improvement. Next, a field test was conducted among 50 women with breast cancer receiving radiotherapy, chemotherapy, or both treatments to examine the use of the monitor in daily practice and to assess physicians' and patients' experiences with the monitor. Although patients in general held a positive attitude toward the monitor and compliance was high, patients regularly were unsure about how the quality of life information was used by physicians. Show less
