Fatigue, weight gain, and altered sexuality in patients with breast cancer: exploration of a symptom cluster.
OBJECTIVE
To identify the symptom cluster of fatigue, weight gain, and altered sexuality caused by treatment for breast cancer.


METHODS
Published research and literature review articles.


RESULTS
Fatigue, weight gain, and altered sexuality commonly occur after breast cancer chemotherapy. Each symptom has a significant impact on quality of life; however, viewing them as a symptom cluster magnifies their impact.


CONCLUSIONS
These symptoms have yet to be studied as a cluster. Exercise appears to be an intervention common to each that may be effective in reducing the severity of these treatment side effects.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses should view symptoms caused by breast cancer treatment holistically, keeping in mind that a reciprocal relationship often exists among symptoms. Identification of symptom clusters with empirically derived interventions may enhance quality of care and quality of life for patients.
Wilmoth
Margaret Chamberlain
MC
Department of Adult Health Nursing in the School of Nursing in the College of Health and Human Services at the University of North Carolina, Charlotte, USA. mcwilmot@email.uncc.edu <mcwilmot@email.uncc.edu>
Coleman
Elizabeth Ann
EA
Smith
Steven C
SC
Davis
Carla
C
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000628:therapy*; D005221:Fatigue / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D012735:Sexual Dysfunction, Physiological / Q000175:diagnosis / Q000209:etiology* / Q000628:therapy; D015430:Weight Gain