抄録
In the present study, we implemented the self-monitoring of side effects in surgical outpatients with breast cancer to improve their quality of life (QOL). Self-monitoring of side effects was carried out by entering the early symptoms (myelosuppression and gastrointestinal failures) on a specially prepared side effect checking-sheet.
Six outpatients participated in this study. The chemotherapeutic regimens consisted of cyclophosphamide, adriamycin and 5-fluorouracil, i.e. CAF therapy.
In these patients, a mild myelosuppression was seen after the completion of half of each protocol (from approximately day 8 to 14). However, there was no relationship between the early symptoms of myelosuppression (“fever”, “general fatigue” and “throat pain” score) and the number of leucocytes. On the other hand, the self-monitoring of side effects showed a better influence on the subjective score for the symptoms of gastrointestinal failures (i.e. “nausea”).
In the present study, the self-monitoring of side effects in outpatients with breast cancer was thus suggested to be a useful tool for improving the patient's QOL.
