The effect on chemoterapy symptoms of education given to cancer patients

This study was carried out as experimental in order to evaluate the effect on chemoterapy symptoms of education given to cancer patients. The population of the study consisted of 800 patients undergoing chemotherapy treatment between September 2012 - September 2013 at Recep Tayyip Erdogan University Training and Research Hospital Chemotherapy Unit. The sample of the study including 30 experimental and 30 control group was comprised of 60 patients. The data were collected with Patient Information Form and Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale using face to face interviews technique. Patient Information Form and Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale was applied to patients in the expermental group when they came to receiving the second cycle of chemotherapy and performed the first education for chemotherapy symptoms of the patients. After the education was given the Chemotherapy Symptoms Education Booklet which created by the researcher. The education for chemotherapy symptoms were repeated to each patient by the researcher when they came to receiving the third and fourth cycle of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale was applied again when the patients came to receiving to the fifth cycle of chemotherapy. Patient Information Form and Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale was applied to patients in the control group when they came to receiving the second cycle of chemotherapy. Chemotherapy Symptom Assessment Scale was applied again to patients in the control group when they came to receiving the fifth cycle of chemotherapy. In this study the experimental group compared with the control group, it was found that there was a significantly decrease in the frequency of such symptoms as "Constipation"; in the intensity of such symptoms as "Vomiting after treatment" and "Problems with mouth and throat"; in the degree of bothering of such symptoms as "Vomiting after treatment", "Pain", "Signs of infection", "Problems with mouth and throat", "A change in appetite", "Feeling anxious or worried" and "Feeling low and depressed" (p<0.05). In accordance with the results obtained from the study, the recommendations were made for reducing/preventing the symptoms of chemotherapy by the researcher. Key Words: Cancer, Chemotherapy, Symptoms, Education, Nursing