Purpose
Lung cancer (LC) is the leading cause of cancer-related death globally, and understanding symptom clusters (SCs) among LC patients could improve symptom management. This scoping review provides a comprehensive summary of the most common SCs and their compositions identified in studies specifically investigating SCs of LC patients.
Methods
A scoping review was conducted following the Joanna Briggs Institute methodology. The study included LC patients as participants, SCs as the concept, and studies with distinct aim to investigate LC SCs as the context. We searched studies from inception to September 2022 in PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, CINAHL, and the Cochrane Library databases using the terms: "lung cancer," "cancer survivors, " and "symptom cluster." Results: Of 41 reviewed reports, 188 SCs were identified. Both a priori and de novo method were used to identify LC SCs, with exploratory factor analysis being the most commonly used statistical method in the de novo approach. The three most frequent SCs were respiratory, gastrointestinal (GI), and psychological SCs. The most common respiratory SC included cough + dyspnea. Nausea + vomiting was the most prevalent cluster membership among GI SCs. Sad + feeling irritable + feeling nervous + worrying was the most common cluster membership among psychological SCs.
Conclusion
Respiratory, GI, and psychological SCs were common among LC patients, and addressing these clusters could improve symptom management strategies. Further research on SCs across the lung cancer trajectory is essential to enhance our understanding about SCs and facilitate effective symptom management throughout the disease course.

Purpose
This study investigated differences in inner strength, multiple identities, and quality of life among colorectal cancer survivors, considering gender and the presence of an ostomy. It also focused on identifying factors that influenced their quality of life.
Methods
In this cross-sectional study, 170 colorectal cancer survivors were recruited. Inner strength, multiple identities, and quality of life were assessed through an online survey. Within each subgroup, comparisons were made in two ways: (a) between women and men; and (b) between ostomy and non-ostomy groups.
Results
The quality of life for colorectal cancer survivors was higher among men than women. For inner strength, men reported higher levels of anguish and searching, whereas women showed higher levels of connectedness. The quality of life was higher in the non-ostomy group than the ostomy group. However, the non-ostomy group had a higher level of anguish and searching than the ostomy group. Inner strength emerged as the most powerful factor influencing quality of life after adjusting for age and gender.
Conclusion
This study emphasizes the significance of inner strength in colorectal cancer survivors. It provides a deeper understanding of quality of life in colorectal cancer survivors by examining factors that influence it and considering how these effects differ based on gender and the presence of an ostomy. To improve the quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors, it is essential to comprehend the roles of factors such as gender and ostomy and develop individualized interventions tailored to their specific characteristics.

Purpose
The aim of this study was to identify factors associated with stress among Korean cancer survivors who are employed. Methods: A cross-sectional descriptive methodology was applied, and secondary analysis was performed using data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey from 2014 to 2018. A total of 245 employed cancer survivors were included, and data were analyzed using either the χ² test or the independent t-test, as well as multiple logistic regression analysis. Results: Four factors were found to be associated with stress among employed cancer survivors: age (Odds Ratio [OR]=0.96, 95% Confidence Interval [CI]=0.94~0.98), gender (with men less likely to be stressed; OR=0.46, 95% CI=0.23~0.91), self-rated health status (OR=1.44, 95% CI=1.03~2.02), and having planned suicide in the previous year (OR=22.98, 95% CI=2.10~251.83). Conclusion: To facilitate a successful return to work for cancer survivors, it is necessary to develop a stress intervention and/or rehabilitation program that comprehensively considers sociodemographic characteristics, current health status, health behaviors, and mental health.

Citations

• A national estimate of mental disorders and mortality outcomes in cancer survivors
  Thi Xuan Mai Tran, Min Sung Chung, Chihwan Cha, Boyoung Park
  Cancer.2025;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
Cancer survivors face a high risk of developing secondary cancers; thus, they should consider their primary cancer experiences as signals to adopt secondary cancer-preventive behaviors. This study examined the mediating effect of perceived threat in the relationship between cue to action and such behaviors and identified the gender effect as a moderator in breast and colorectal cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 505 cancer survivors (253 with breast cancer and 252 with colorectal cancer) participated in this study. These participants were involved in cancer-related physical activities at the outpatient oncology clinic of a tertiary teaching hospital in Korea. Participants completed structured, self-administered questionnaires, and a PROCESS macro was utilized to analyze the mediating effect of perceived threat. Results: Cue to action positively affected perceived threat (B=0.38, p <.001). Additionally, both cue to action (B=0.20, p=.047) and perceived threat (B=1.28, p<.001) positively influenced secondary cancer-preventive behaviors. In the relationship between cue to action and these behaviors, perceived threat explained 30.0% of the variance. Gender was supported as a moderator in the relationship between cue to action and perceived threat. A bootstrap analysis confirmed the mediating effect of perceived threat. Conclusion: Perceived threat can help cancer survivors understand the risk and seriousness of secondary cancer, thereby strengthening the relationship between cue to action and secondary cancer-preventive behaviors. Healthcare providers should provide accurate information as a cue to cancer survivors, enabling them to recognize the risk of secondary cancer.

Citations

• Factors impacting breast cancer survivors' performance of annual follow-up mammograms: A nationally representative study.
  Safa Elkefi, Alicia K. Matthews
  Patient Education and Counseling.2025; 130: 108428.     CrossRef
• Chinese undergraduates' mental health help-seeking behavior: the health belief model
  Haojing Wang, Zhuowen Feng, Zitong Zheng, Jiachen Yang
  Frontiers in Psychology.2024;[Epub]     CrossRef

Purpose
This study aimed to compare the lifestyle, self-rated health, and mental health of breast cancer survivors with those of the healthy people through a propensity-matched comparison, and identify factors affecting the mental health of breast cancer survivors. Methods This study was a secondary analysis that used data from the Korea National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES), from 2015 to 2020. It included 47,118 participants, of which 134 breast cancer survivors and 268 healthy people were separated and analysed by 1:2 Propensity Score Matching (PSM), and complex sample logistic regression analysis was performed using SPSS and R programs. Results Statistically significant differences were found in smoking rate, walking exercise rate, cancer screening rate, daily energy intake, and self-rated health between breast cancer survivors and healthy groups. After PSM, there were significant differences in the ratio of perceived stress, suicide plan, suicide attempts, and mental health counseling experiences between the healthy group and breast cancer survivors. As compared to the healthy group, breast cancer survivors had a significantly higher risk of mental health issues by 2.19 times. Self-rated health, household income, and number of household members were significant influencing factors affecting the mental health of breast cancer survivors. Conclusion This study provides evidence of an increased mental health risk in breast cancer survivors compared with healthy women with no cancer. Mental health outcomes, such as stress, sleep disturbance, and suicidal ideation, have been reported post cancer treatment. Counselling and management strategies would be helpful for breast cancer survivors.

Citations

• Factors Associated with Stress among Employed Korean Cancer Survivors: A Cross-sectional Descriptive Study Based on National Data
  Kisook Kim, Booyoung Oh
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2023; 35(3): 254.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify the relationship between the supportive care needs and quality of life of back-to-work breast cancer survivors, and determine the factors that affect their quality of life.
METHODS
Data were collected from 146 patients who had undergone surgery and treatment for breast cancer at Konyang University Hospital in Daejeon city and were receiving outpatient care from December 21, 2017 to November 30, 2018. The collected data were analyzed using the SPSS/WIN 21.0 program with descriptive statistics, an independent t-test, a one-way ANOVA, the Duncan test, Pearson's correlation coefficient, and hierarchical multiple regression.
RESULTS
Back-to-work breast cancer survivors show higher physical and mental health indices, which reflect quality of life, when they have fewer physical supportive care needs. Additionally, their physical and mental health indices based on the characteristics of the illness differed according to the cancer stage.
CONCLUSION
It is necessary to develop and test the effectiveness of health education programs that meet the supportive care needs and improve the quality of life of breast cancer survivors returning to work.

Citations

• Return-to-Work Support Needs and Influencing Factors Among Korean Young Adult Cancer Survivors: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Kisook Kim, Hyohyeon Yoon
  Oncology Nursing Forum.2025; 52(2): 151.     CrossRef
• Validity and Reliability of the Korean Version of Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form 34 for Patients With Cancer: A Methodological Study
  Eun Ji Park, Hye Young Kim, Ju-Hee Nho, Eun Ko, Allison W. Boyes
  Asian Nursing Research.2025; 19(1): 60.     CrossRef
• Factors affecting return to work in breast cancer survivors in Korea: a cross-sectional study
  Kate J. Sohn, Sung Hae Kim, Hyojin Lee, Sue Kim
  Women's Health Nursing.2024; 30(4): 277.     CrossRef
• The Impact of Symptom Burden, Social Support, Self-Efficacy, and eHealth Literacy on the Quality of Life of Patients Undergoing Breast Cancer Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Bang-Eun Lee, Ju-Yeon Uhm
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2023; 30(3): 345.     CrossRef
• Unmet supportive care needs of breast cancer survivors: a systematic scoping review
  Rongrong Fan, Lili Wang, Xiaofan Bu, Wenxiu Wang, Jing Zhu
  BMC Cancer.2023;[Epub]     CrossRef
• Impact of post-treatment symptoms on supportive care needs among breast cancer survivors in South Korea
  Unhee Kim, Ju-Young Lee
  Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.2023; 10(10): 100295.     CrossRef
• Factors associated with the quality of work life among working breast cancer survivors
  Juhyun Jin
  Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing.2022; 9(2): 97.     CrossRef
• Cancer Survivorship Care and Roles of Oncology Nurses
  Eun Young Park
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2022; 22(3): 121.     CrossRef
• Supportive care needs of patients after breast cancer surgery
  Slobodan Tomić, Sanja Tomić, Milena Mikić, Goran Malenković
  Sestrinska rec.2022; 25(84): 4.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Supportive Care Needs of Colorectal Cancer Survivors
  Hyekyung Kim, Yang-Sook Yoo
  Asian Nursing Research.2021; 15(1): 60.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Quality of Life among Cancer Survivors: Based on the Korean National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (KNHANES) for 2019
  Hee Jung Kim
  The Korean Journal of Rehabilitation Nursing.2021; 24(2): 109.     CrossRef
• Factors Affecting Quality of Work Life in a Sample of Cancer Survivor Female Nurses
  Ju Hyun Jin, Eun Ju Lee
  Medicina.2020; 56(12): 721.     CrossRef
• A Narrative Inquiry into the Adjustment Experiences of Male Bladder Cancer Survivors with a Neobladder
  So Hee Kim, Eunjung Ryu, Eun-Ju Kim
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(21): 8260.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
To measure the degree of physical activity among breast cancer survivors and to identify how it was influenced by social cognitive factors, as defined in Bandura's social cognitive theory.
METHODS
A total of 128 breast cancer survivors were recruited for this descriptive study and answered the survey questionnaire. The collected data covered general characteristics, physical activity, and social cognitive factors, such as self-efficacy, outcome expectations, goal setting, and socio-structural factors (social support and negative impact of cancer). Data collection was conducted from July to October 2017.
RESULTS
The degree of physical activity among breast cancer survivors was moderate. The participants' level of physical activity differed according to their Body Mass Index (BMI) and type of surgery. Physical activity was significantly correlated with exercise goal setting, exercise self-efficacy, outcome expectations, and family support. Exercise goal setting (β=.55, p<.001), BMI (kg/m2) (β=−.21, p=.003), and exercise self-efficacy (β=.15, p=.040) were identified as factors influencing physical activity.
CONCLUSION
Intervention programs to increase the degree of physical activity among breast cancer survivors will need to consider various aspects, including goal setting, BMI regulation, and self-efficacy improvement. Repeated studies on the social recognition of breast cancer survivors and extended studies on health promotion activities are recommended.

Citations

• Predictor Scales of Cognitive Factors Affecting Physical Activity in Individuals Surviving Cancer: Psychometric Properties of Turkish Versions
  Şura Kaya, Melek Nihal Esin
  Rehabilitation Oncology.2025; 43(1): 10.     CrossRef
• Using the transtheoretical model of behaviour change to analyse the impact of stopping exercise: a reflection
  Lucy Scott, Tanya Andrewes
  British Journal of Nursing.2021; 30(20): 1203.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to identify factors associated with family caregivers' self-management of acute stroke survivors.
METHODS
The study participants were 130 stroke survivors and their caregivers. Data on participant characteristics, depression, task difficulty, survivor memory and behavioral problem, and self-management were collected from July 1 to September 30, 2017 using a structured questionnaire. Data were analyzed with the SPSS/WIN 23.0 program for descriptive statistics, using independent t-test, one-way analysis of variance, Pearson's correlation coefficient and enter multiple regression analysis.
RESULTS
Significant factors associated with self-management for family caregivers were survivors' age, the presence of comorbidities, the relationship between caregivers and survivors, and the presence of an alternative caregiver. Self-management has negative correlations with depression, task difficulty, and the occurrence of survivor memory and behavioral problems. The determining factors affecting caregiver self-management were caregiver depression (β=−.46, p < .001) and survivor age (β=.32, p=.004), and their explanation power was about 37%.
CONCLUSION
The results suggest that caregiver depression and survivor age should be considered in developing the nursing interventions to improve family caregiver self-management. Furthermore, findings underscore the importance of early screening and ongoing psychological assessments for depression in family caregivers of stroke survivors.

PURPOSE
The objective of the study was to identify impact of depression, fatigue, family support, and resilience on rehabilitation among cancer survivors.
METHODS
One hundred and twenty-four participants who visited an out-patient department were recruited from a university hospital in Korea. An inclusion criterion was no reported relapse following the primary cancer treatment. Data were collected from July 1st to August 31st, 2014. Data analysis included an independent t-test, ANOVA, Pearson correlation coefficients and multiple regression using the SPSS 19.0 program.
RESULTS
Rehabilitation of those with colon and breast cancer was significantly correlated with depression, fatigue, family support and resilience. In a regression analysis, cancer rehabilitation accounted for 79.2% of the variance of depression, fatigue, monthly household income and resilience. The most significant factor affecting the success of rehabilitation was depression (β=-0.39, p < .001).
CONCLUSION
The results of the study indicate the importance of managing depression for the successful rehabilitation of cancer survivors. Nurses should prioritize the development and implementation of effective interventions for the improvement of rehabilitation among cancer survivors.

Citations

• Symptom Distress and Depression in Patients with Recurrent Gynecologic Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy: Mediating Effect of Resilience
  Eun Jung Yang, Ho Sihn Ryu
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2019; 31(1): 28.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to explore self-management support experiences among breast cancer survivors.
METHODS
Individual in-depth interviews were performed for survivors who had treated breast cancer after completion of chemotherapy and radiation therapy. Data were collected from April 2014 to July 2014 and analyzed using phenomenological method by Colaizzi.
RESULTS
Five essential themes were found as follows: 1) Need for continuous help and support to maintain self-management, 2) Need for professional resources to carry out regular exercise, 3) Overcoming psychological difficulties through others rather than health care professionals, 4) Disappointment with time with and circumstances of health care consultation, 5) Dependence on means of media for health related information.
CONCLUSION
The results might contribute to an understanding of self-management support experienced by breast cancer survivors in Korea. It is suggested that evidence-based program for self-management support should be developed and applied to nursing intervention for breast cancer survivors.

Citations

• Development and Evaluation of an App-Based Self-Management Program for Exercise Practice of Breast Cancer Survivors: A Non-Randomized Controlled Trial
  Suyoun Maeng, Jungok Yu
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2024; 54(2): 250.     CrossRef
• A systematic review of qualitative research on the self‐management experience of breast cancer patients
  Xi‐Bo Sun, He‐Peng Su, He Jiang, Bing Wang, Shuai Lu, Jin‐Xiu Qu, Xiang‐Qi Li, Ben‐Qiang Rao
  The International Journal of Health Planning and Management.2024; 39(4): 1131.     CrossRef
• Verification of Usability of Medical Image Data Using Projective Photography for Designing Clothing for Breast Cancer Patients
  Youn Joo Kim
  Tomography.2022; 8(4): 1820.     CrossRef
• Photovoice-Based Assessment of Weight Management Experiences of Breast Cancer Patients Treated with Tamoxifen
  Jung Suk Park, Jeong-Won Han, Jin Hyuk Choi, Kyoung Chun Lee
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2020; 17(12): 4359.     CrossRef
• Journey through the Fight against Ovarian Cancer: Finding the Existence Value with being Tied to the Bridle of Death
  Young-Suk Park, Jeong Sook Park
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2018; 30(6): 656.     CrossRef
• Experience of Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer Patients
  Nayeon Shin, Jiyoung Kim
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2017; 17(3): 158.     CrossRef
• The phenomenological study of self-management intervention among breast cancer survivors: Non-pharmacological approaches
  Seok-Mo Heo, Narae Heo
  Journal of the Korea Academia-Industrial cooperation Society.2016; 17(12): 270.     CrossRef

PURPOSE
The purpose of this study was to compare health promotion behavior, post-traumatic growth and quality of life according to the stages of survivorship in patients with female genital neoplasm.
METHODS
Data were collected from August 1st, 2011 to September 31st 2011 from 142 gynecologic cancer patients who completed treatment or were treated at an out-patient clinic. The instrument were HPLP developed by Walker, Sechrist & Pender, PTGI developed by Tedeschi & Calhoun, and Korean C-QOL.
RESULTS
Health promotion behavior scores were significantly higher in the acute survival stage than the extended survival stage. Post-traumatic growth score was higher in the acute survival stage than the extended survival stage. The quality of life scores were higher in the lasting survival stage than the extended survival stage.
CONCLUSION
Gynecological cancer patients in the extended survival stage reported low scores of health promotion behavior, post-traumatic growth and quality of life. Intervention needed to be developed to improve health promotion behavior, post-traumatic growth and quality of life for patients with female genital neoplasm in the extended survival stage.

Citations

• Impact of Stigma, Social Support, and Resilience on Post-traumatic Growth among Patients with Stroke: A Cross-Sectional Study
  Ga-Eul Park, Heekyung Chang
  Korean Journal of Adult Nursing.2025; 37(1): 13.     CrossRef
• A Comparative Study of Symptoms, Social Support, and Quality of Life at Different Survival Stages of Lung Cancer Patients
  jinseon Heo, Youngsuk Kim
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2025; 32(1): 128.     CrossRef
• Cancer Coping, Family Support, and Posttraumatic Growth in Female Genital Cancer Patients
  Hee Nam An, Jeong Hye Kim
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2023; 23(1): 38.     CrossRef
• Factors Affecting the Occurrence of Mental Health Problems in Female Cancer Survivors: A Nationwide Cohort Study
  So Young Kim, Yeonju Lee, Sang Baek Koh
  International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health.2022; 19(14): 8615.     CrossRef
• Factors affecting the health-promoting behavior of thyroid cancer survivors: comparison by stage of cancer survivorship
  Kyung Ah Park, Sanghee Kim, Eui Geum Oh, Heejung Kim, Hang-Seok Chang, Soo Hyun Kim
  Supportive Care in Cancer.2022; 30(4): 3429.     CrossRef
• Do spouse burden of care, family resilience, and coping affect family function in gynecologic cancer in Korea?: a cross-sectional study
  Minkyung Kim, Sukhee Ahn
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2022; 28(3): 197.     CrossRef
• Unmet Needs and Sexual Distress of Gynecological Cancer Patients according to the Period after Initial Treatment
  Yeon Hee Bae, Jeong Sook Park
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2021; 21(4): 221.     CrossRef
• Factors influencing posttraumatic growth in ovarian cancer survivors
  Jeong Min Oh, Yoonjung Kim, Yeunhee Kwak
  Supportive Care in Cancer.2021; 29(4): 2037.     CrossRef
• Impact of Posttraumatic Growth and Health Promoting Behavior on Quality of Life in Patients with Gastrointestinal Cancer
  Mi-Ae Kim, Hyun-Ju Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Fundamentals of Nursing.2021; 28(1): 32.     CrossRef
• Posttraumatic Growth and Health Promotion Behavior in Patients with Cancer: The Mediating Effect of Spiritual Well-Being
  Shunji Piao, Pok Ja Oh
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2021; 21(1): 33.     CrossRef
• Factors Influencing Posttraumatic Growth of Gynecologic Oncology Patients Undergoing Chemotherapy
  Sun Jeong Yun, Hye Young Kim
  Korean Journal of Women Health Nursing.2019; 25(4): 409.     CrossRef
• Mediation Effects of Basic Psychological Needs Between Autonomy Support from Healthcare Providers and Self-Management Among Cancer Survivors
  Eun-Jung Bae, Yun-Hee Kim
  Osong Public Health and Research Perspectives.2019; 10(6): 385.     CrossRef
• Psychosocial Adjustment in Korean Colorectal Cancer Survivors
  Hyejin Sun, Jia Lee
  Journal of Korean Academy of Nursing.2018; 48(5): 545.     CrossRef
• The Relationship between Post-Traumatic Growth, Trauma Experience and Cognitive Emotion Regulation in Nurses
  Sook Lee, Mun Gyeong Gwon, YeonJung Kim
  Korean Journal of Stress Research.2018; 26(1): 31.     CrossRef
• Experience of Chemotherapy in Ovarian Cancer Patients
  Nayeon Shin, Jiyoung Kim
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2017; 17(3): 158.     CrossRef
• A Comparison of Symptoms, Depression, and Quality of Life according to Stages of Survivorship in Lung Cancer Patients
  Yoon Jung Chae, Jeong Sook Park
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2017; 17(2): 79.     CrossRef
• Influences of Uncertainty and Social Support on the Quality of Life among Elderly Cancer Patients
  Kyung Ok Kim, Jung A Kim
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2017; 17(3): 180.     CrossRef
• Aspects of Health-Related Factors and Nutritional Care Needs by Survival Stage among Female Cancer Patients in South Korea
  Yoonsun Lee, Hyunsoo Shin, Eunjoo Bae, Hyunjung Lim, Pei-Yi Chu
  PLOS ONE.2016; 11(10): e0163281.     CrossRef
• Comparison of Distress and Body Image according to the Stages of Cancer Survivorship in Gynecological Cancer Patients
  Jeong Sook Park, Hye Ran Lee
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2014; 14(1): 15.     CrossRef
• The relation between comprehensive health needs of cancer patient and the quality of life
  Hyung-Won Baik, Myung Kim
  Journal of Digital Convergence.2014; 12(12): 477.     CrossRef
• The Effects of Posttraumatic Growth and Meaning in Life on Health Promotion Behavior in Cancer Patients
  Sun-Hee Jang, Hae-Rang Lee, Hyung-Nam Yeu, Soon-Ock Choi
  Asian Oncology Nursing.2014; 14(2): 100.     CrossRef