title: Patients' Perspectives on Creating a Personal Safety Net During Chemotherapy.
abstract: Nurses are critical to the physical management and psychological support of patients undergoing chemotherapy, which is a vulnerable time for many. This article presents the results of a qualitative study intended to explore the experience of Japanese patients with breast cancer during chemotherapy, including the finding that participants created personal safety nets in physical, emotional, and social contexts that helped them to gain confidence in their ability to exert control over their lives. Understanding each patient's personal safety net allows nurses to support their patients in maintaining and improving their function and well-being.
authors.affiliation: Keio University.
authors.forename: Hiroko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Komatsu
authors.affiliation: Keio University.
authors.forename: Kaori
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Yagasaki
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's International Hospital.
authors.forename: Hideko
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
authors.affiliation: St. Luke's International Hospital.
authors.forename: Teruo
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Yamauchi
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007389:Internal-External Control; D008875:Middle Aged; D012449:Safety
chemical_list: D000970:Antineoplastic Agents
keywords: chemotherapy; distress; personal safety; self-management; side effects