Stress and nursing care needs of women with breast cancer during primary treatment: a qualitative study.
OBJECTIVE
The primary surgical therapy for breast cancer represents a special phase in the course of the disease. The aim of this study was to find out the specific strains influencing the women affected during this time, and the needs and expectations they had of the nurses.


METHODS
In a semistructured interview, 42 women at an early stage of breast cancer were asked about their strains and care needs.


RESULTS
The results show that the women interviewed suffer more from psychological strains than physical ones, and express the wish for, above all, emotional support. Analysis of the interviews provides 4 categories of strains: immediate strains regarding the surgery, fear through uncertainty, change of self-perception and the strains caused by the social environment. Care needs can be divided into 3 main areas: wishes for (a) the relationship to the nurses, (b) professional competence and (c) the external conditions of care.


CONCLUSIONS
Nurses can support the women well by listening to them, accepting their emotions and informing them in detail. Therewith, they can convey a sense of security to the women and help them to maintain hope and the ability to deal with reality.
Remmers
Hartmut
H
University of Osnabrueck, Department of Human Sciences, Institute of Nursing Science, Albrechtstr. 28, D-49069 Osnabrueck, Germany.
Holtgräwe
Martina
M
Pinkert
Christiane
C
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing* / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000601:surgery; D005239:Fear / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008408:Mastectomy / Q000379:methods / Q000523:psychology; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D024802:Nurse's Role; D009723:Nurse-Patient Relations; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D005791:Patient Care / Q000379:methods; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012649:Self Concept; D018434:Sickness Impact Profile; D013315:Stress, Psychological / Q000150:complications*