PURPOSE
Lung cancer patients are often stigmatized since lung cancer is closely associated with smoking, which is a self-administered life style. The stigma of lung cancer has been examined in some qualitative studies; however, their findings were diverse and not yet synthesized. Therefore, this meta-synthesis study aimed to explore how lung cancer patients experience stigma.
METHODS
A meta-synthesis method, as suggested by Sandelowski and Barroso in 2007, was applied by aggregating the findings after an evaluation according to consolidated criteria for reporting qualitative research (COREQ).
RESULTS
By synthesizing the findings of the selected seven papers, a synthesized theme was emerged as "experiencing external and internal distances, which mandates authentic and consistent supports." The four sub-themes included 'experiencing some distance from the surrounded world,' 'experiencing self-made distance between the disease and oneself,' 'the disease experience causes social isolation and loneliness,' and 'there is lack of supportive care for myself.' CONCLUSION: Health care providers should be more attentive to supporting lung cancer patients by providing more effective advocacy programs that improve patients' quality of life.

Citations

• Stigma in Early-Stage Lung Cancer
  Sarah Bédard, Hannah Sasewich, Jessica Culling, Simon R Turner, Janelle Pellizzari, Scott Johnson, Eric L R Bédard
  Annals of Behavioral Medicine.2022; 56(12): 1272.     CrossRef
• Social isolation in adults with cancer: An evolutionary concept analysis
  Yanjing Liang, Guihua Hao, Mei Wu, Lili Hou
  Frontiers in Psychology.2022;[Epub]     CrossRef

PURPOSE
This study investigated the effects of a 'overcoming cancer program' on knowledge, self efficacy, and quality of life, therapeutic compliance for patients with lung cancer.
METHOD
Research design of this study was a nonequivalent control group quasi-experimental study. Subjects for this study were 16 lung cancer patients for the control group, and 12 lung cancer patients for the experimental group. The experimental group participated in the program once a week for 4 weeks. Data were collected before and after the program. Nonparametric statistics were used to analyze the data.
RESULTS
The results of this study were as follows: In the pretest, there were no significant differences in general characteristics, knowledge, self efficacy and quality of life between the two groups. In the posttest, there were significant differences in knowledge, self efficacy between the experimental and the control groups. But there were no significant differences in therapeutic compliance and quality of life between the two groups.
CONCLUSION
From the results above, it can be concluded that program was effective to improve knowledge and self-efficacy for patients with lung cancer.

PURPOSE
To exam how functional status varied according to age, gender, stage, treatment protocols, and pathologic types of cancer in lung cancer patients.
METHOD
A Cross-sectional and descriptive study was used. Functional status was measured with the Medical Outcome Study Short Form-36. A total of 106 lung cancer patients participated. Their mean age was 61 years. Majorities were male, in advanced stages, and receiving chemotherapy.
RESULT
Functional status of the subjects were relatively low compared to the results of previous studies. Women had more severe functional limitations in Role-Emotion(t=2.17, p <.05). Generally, older patients(> 60 yrs.) had relatively more severe limitations in all subcategories, but the difference was not statistically significant. Subjects in late lung cancer stage(stage III and IV) had more severe functional limitation in all subcategories. But the statistical difference was found only in General Health(t=2.10, p<.05). In terms of treatment protocol, no-current treatment group had lower General Health than those of the chemotherapy group(F=3.42, p<.01). There were no statistical differences in functional status among pathological cancer cell types.
CONCLUSION
The results of this study suggest that effective management may be achieved when these factors are considered on individual basis in the clinical management of lung cancer patients.