A Brief Encounter with the Middle East: A Narrative of One Muslim Woman Diagnosed with Breast Cancer

Examination of Knowledge and Fear Levels of Breast Cancer With the Spiritual Characteristics of Nurses

Introduction: Breast cancer is a common problem and it is important to understand the beliefs that increase awareness of breast cancer and guide early diagnosis behaviors. This research is planned to examine the knowledge and fear levels of breast cancer along with the spiritual characteristics of nurses. Methods: This is a descriptive type research. The domain of the research consists of women nurses working in Health Sciences University Samsun Education and Research Hospital. Sampling was not undertaken, rather 327 nurses who were on duty between January and May of 2016 and were willing to cooperate were incorporated into the study. Data was collected by use of the survey forms, "Breast Cancer Fear Scale" and "Comprehensive Breast Cancer Knowledge Test (GKMBT)." Data were analyzed with SPSS 21 Software. Results: Nurses who participated in the research had an average of age of 32.27 ± 1.04 years, 60.6% of whom were married, and had an average duration of nursing practice of 12.49 ± 9.92. The nurses' breast cancer fear level point average was 26.11 ± 6.58, the GMKBT scale general information sub-dimension point average was 7.20 ± 2.81, the treatability sub-dimension point average was 5.80 ± 1.68, and the total point average was found out to be 12.87 ± 2.81. It was determined that nurses' knowledge levels of breast cancer were not related to fear levels. Conclusion: It was concluded that the nurses' breast cancer fear level was high and their knowledge level was moderate. In line with the results obtained, it might be recommended that studies should be made to increase the nurses' knowledge and awareness on breast cancer.

Experiences of Caregivers with Spouses Receiving Chemotherapy for Colorectal Cancer and their Expectations from Nursing Services

OBJECTIVE

The purpose of this study was to reveal experiences of caregivers whose spouses were receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer and their expectations from nursing services.

METHODS

This is a qualitative study. The caregivers were interviewed at their home. Sampling criteria were volunteering to participate in the study, being able to understand Turkish, not having speech or hearing problems and offering care to spouses with primary colorectal cancer. The interviews continued until concepts likely to be responses to research questions repeatedly appeared. Fourteen caregivers with spouses receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer comprised the study sample. Data were collected with a descriptive characteristics form and a semi-structured interview at in-depth interviews after making appointments with the caregivers on the phone. The steps followed in the content analysis were coding data, an organization of codes and themes, description of findings and evaluation of findings.

RESULTS

Experiences of the caregivers whose spouses were receiving chemotherapy for colorectal cancer and their expectations from nursing services were found to comprise the following themes "Facing the Disease," "Difficulties Encountered," "Continuing to Live," and "Provision of Health Care Services."

CONCLUSIONS

The results of the study revealed that cancer and its treatment affected not only cancer patients but also their spouses offering care. Nurses giving care at oncology clinics, public health centers, and home can make care plans based on the four themes emerging in this study and can detect problems earlier and create appropriate solutions to them. They will contribute to the literature revealing needs of people offering care to oncology patients as well.