Assessment of symptoms and care needs in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy

Objective: This study aims to assess the symptoms and related care needs in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy and to determine the impact of these symptoms on their quality of life. Materials and Method: The study sample consisted of 156 patients with a confirmed cancer diagnosis who agreed to participate in the study in person. Data were collected by the researcher using the "Patient Information Form" prepared for the study, the "Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale" with proven validity and reliability, and the "EORTC QLQ-C30 Quality of Life Scale." Comparisons were made based on the responses of the participants in the study. Descriptive statistics such as frequency, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, and percentage were used for data analysis. Findings: The most common symptoms observed in cancer patients receiving chemotherapy were fatigue or energy loss (90.4%), feeling drowsy or disoriented (64.7%), and nausea (63.5%). It was determined that an increase in the number of symptoms experienced after chemotherapy was associated with a decrease in the quality of life and that the socio-demographic characteristics of the patients influenced the results of the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale. Result: Preventing and managing symptoms experienced after chemotherapy has a positive impact on the quality of life. Keywords: Cancer, chemotherapy, symptom management, oncology nurse, quality of life.