Information Needs of Women with Breast Cancer

Hur, Hea Kung

Abstract

Nurses play an important role in patient education, including providing patients with useful and appropriate information. The purpose of this study was to explore what particular types of information were important to women diagnosed with breast cancer. Sixty seven women with breast cancer an outpatient clinic in W Christian Hospital responded to the structured questionnaires developed by the investigator. Interviews and mail surveys were used in this study. The findings in this study showed that six kinds of information needs arose, ranked as the signs and symptoms of recurrence, the possibility of recurrence, the possibility of metastasis, treatment, diet and physical activities in daily living. Marital status, level of education, and level of monthly income were not related to level of informational need. Younger women rather than older women had a greater need to seek information(r=-.471, p<.01). There was a significantly negative relationship between duration of disease and the score on information needs(r=-.32, p<.05). The findings have implications that the opportunity to ask questions and have accurate information on the recurrence should be provided to women with breast cancer.