Colorectal cancer is the third cause of cancer incidence and forth cancer mortality in Taiwan. Early detection and chemotherapy improve patients’ survival. However, patients still suffer from side effects from cancer and its treatment. Evidence indicated that hope helps cancer patients in a better adaptation.
Purpose:
The aims of this pilot study was to preliminarily explore relationship among hope, symptom interference, and quality of life in Taiwanese colorectal cancer population; as well as to shape the study in a better design for a further study.
Methods:
This is a descriptive, correlational study with a preliminary result. We recruited patients with colorectal cancer, aged 20 years and more, and received at least one cycle of chemotherapy. Study instruments included Total Neuropathy Score- clinical version, Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire, Herth Hope Index (HHI), MDASI-Taiwan Form for Cancer Treatment - Colorectal cancer and Taxane. Data analysis applied mean, standard deviation, frequency, percentage, Pearson’s correlation and linear regression.
Results:
A total of 40 patients with a mean age of 60.1 years were included in this pilot analysis. Twenty-two of participants were male and 75% of them were with PN. Results indicated patients’ hope significantly and positively predicted their QOL in this sample (β=.383; R2=.147; p<.05). In addition, symptom severity (β=-.667; R2=.445; p<.001) and symptom distress (β=-.76; R2=.578; p<.001) significantly and negatively predicted QOL in Taiwanese patients with colorectal cancer.
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Conclusion:
Results of this pilot study suggested that the prevalence of PN was relatively high and those with PN had a declined QOL. We also found symptom severity and symptom distress interfered patient’s QOL in the present study. However, hope is an inner power to support patients with cancer, to overcome their symptom interference, and to advance their QOL. The preliminary findings help researchers to modify the further study design and to confirm the instruments matched the study population.