Comparison of Coping Skills before and during First Chemotherapy Treatment of Lung Cancer Patients

Abstract

Abstract

The purpose of this study was to identify valid means of coping with the stress of patients before and during first chemotherapy for lung cancer. Nine patients with lung cancer, who were 20 years old or over and were scheduled to receive chemotherapy for the first time, were interviewed and observed. The stress-coping means used before treatment were six problem-focused methods (e.g., “obtaining information on chemotherapy”, “reviewing information on chemotherapy” and “keeping a good physical condition”) and five emotion-focused methods (e.g., “diverting oneself”, “escaping from chemotherapy” and “remaining optimistic”). During treatment, eight problem-focused methods (e.g., “dealing with adverse reactions to anti-cancer agents”, “keeping a good physical condition” and “paying attention to the fatigue and feelings of family members”) and five emotion-focused methods (e.g., “diverting oneself”, “escaping from chemotherapy” and “accepting adverse reactions”) were used. When the stress-coping methods used before treatment were compared with those used during treatment, it was found that the methods “reviewing information on chemotherapy” and “remaining optimistic” were only used before treatment, while the methods “receiving drip infusion of anti-cancer agents”, “paying attention to the fatigue and feelings of family members”, “adjusting the ward environments” and “accepting adverse reactions” were used only during treatment.

These results suggest that nursing interventions required to encourage the patient to continue receiving treatment include : (1) supplying appropriate information to the patient before and during treatment, (2) dealing with the anxiety of the patient to help him/her become willing to receive treatment, (3) providing support to the patient and his/her family and (4) dealing with adverse reactions to chemotherapy.