Learning Objective #1: to examine the changes in symptom distress during the first three months after mastectomy

Learning Objective #2: to examinethe predict factors of symptom distress during the first three months after mastectomy

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The purposes of this longitudinal study were to examine 1) the changes in symptom distress during the first three months after mastectomy and 2) the predict factors of symptom distress during the first three months after mastectomy. Method. Patients with a first-time diagnosis of breast cancer were eligible for the study. Symptom distress was measured by a modified Symptom Distress Scale and anxiety by the 0-10 Anxiety Numeric Rating Scale. Data were collected at six times: two days (T1), three days (T2), four days (T3), one month (T4), two months (T5), and three months (T6) after breast surgery. A total of 33 subjects (age mean 48.7), recruited from two teaching hospitals in Taipei, completed the instruments 6 times. The data were analyzed by descriptive statistics, repeated measures ANOVA and GEE model based on stat. The results showed significant changes in symptom distress over three months after surgery. Overall symptom distress peaked on T1, increased on T4ˇ@(p<.05), especial at pain, reduced arm mobility, fatigue, nausea, vomiting and dry mouth (p<.05). The results of GEE analysis revealed that patients with low education, younger than 50, more anxiety and chemotherapy perceived more symptom distress during the first three months after mastectomy (p<.05). Conclusion. These results highlight the importance of caring for breast cancer patientsˇ¦ symptoms in the first three months after mastectomy and during adjuvant chemotherapy. Future studies should use these findings as a basis for testing possible nursing interventions to improve patientsˇ¦ quality of life after mastectomy and during chemotherapy.