Providing comprehensive counseling about breast cancer and chemotherapy

Oct 13, 2025 by windailys.com 141 views

The Effect of Women's Self-Knowledge and Self-Concepts of Breast Cancer with Anxiety Facing Chemotherapy at Dr. Pirngadi Medan

Breast cancer is a serious health problem in Indonesia, with a significant number of cases reported in the country. According to data from the Medical Records of the Regional General Hospital (RSUD) Dr. Pirngadi Medan, out of 839 cases of cancer, 607 cases (73.4%) of them are breast cancer. Chemotherapy is one method of breast cancer treatment, but many patients feel anxious to face it. This study aims to explain the relationship between knowledge and self-concepts of women with breast cancer with their anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy at Dr. Pirngadi Medan.

Background of the Study

Breast cancer is a leading cause of cancer-related deaths among women in Indonesia. The disease is often diagnosed at an advanced stage, making treatment more challenging. Chemotherapy is a common treatment option for breast cancer, but it can be a source of anxiety for patients. Anxiety can have a significant impact on a patient's quality of life, making it essential to identify factors that contribute to anxiety in patients with breast cancer.

Methodology

This study uses an explanatory survey method involving 607 respondents. Data analysis was carried out using univariate analysis, bivariate analysis with chi-square tests, and multivariate analysis with multiple linear regression tests. The study aims to identify the relationship between knowledge and self-concepts of women with breast cancer with their anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy.

Results

The results showed that the level of anxiety of patients with breast cancer in dealing with chemotherapy at Dr. Pirngadi Medan is in the medium category (62.2%). This study found strong evidence that knowledge and self-concept had a significant influence on the patient's anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy.

Knowledge and Anxiety

Knowledge of breast cancer and chemotherapy plays an important role in reducing anxiety. Patients who have good knowledge about their diseases and the treatment they will live tend to be more calm and can face chemotherapy with more prepared. Conversely, lack of knowledge can trigger fear, uncertainty, and finally anxiety.

Self-Concept and Anxiety

Positive self-concept is also an important factor in dealing with chemotherapy. Women who have positive self-concept tend to be more optimistic, confident, and able to overcome the challenges they face, including the side effects of chemotherapy. Conversely, negative self-concept can make patients feel helpless, pessimistic, and vulnerable to anxiety.

Conclusion

This study concluded that the knowledge and self-concept of women with breast cancer have a significant influence on their anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy. This shows the importance of the role of health workers in providing education and support to patients, both in terms of knowledge about disease and treatment, and in building positive self-concept.

Recommendations

Some things that can be done by health workers at Dr. Pirngadi Medan to reduce patient anxiety:

Providing comprehensive counseling about breast cancer and chemotherapy. This counseling must be easily understood by patients, accompanied by accurate and current information.
Conducting counseling and psychosocial support. Counseling can help patients deal with negative emotions and thoughts, increase self-confidence, and help them in developing effective coping strategies.
Provides an opportunity for patients to ask questions and discuss. This can help patients in understanding their illness and the treatment they will live.
Providing group support to patients. Sharing experiences and information with fellow sufferers can help patients feel more supported and not alone.

By increasing patient knowledge, building positive self-concept, and providing comprehensive support, it is expected that the anxiety of patients with breast cancer in the face of chemotherapy can be reduced, so that they can undergo treatment more calmly and effectively.

Implications of the Study

The findings of this study have implications for healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients. Healthcare providers should prioritize providing comprehensive education and support to patients with breast cancer, focusing on building positive self-concept and reducing anxiety. Policymakers should allocate resources to support the development of breast cancer treatment programs that prioritize patient-centered care. Patients should be empowered to take an active role in their treatment, seeking support from healthcare providers and support groups.

Limitations of the Study

This study has several limitations. The study was conducted at a single hospital, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of anxiety in patients with breast cancer. Future studies should aim to address these limitations, using larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs.

Future Research Directions

Future research should aim to build on the findings of this study, exploring the relationship between knowledge, self-concept, and anxiety in patients with breast cancer. Studies should investigate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing anxiety in patients with breast cancer, such as counseling and psychosocial support. Future research should also explore the role of healthcare providers in supporting patients with breast cancer, including the development of patient-centered care programs.

Conclusion

In conclusion, this study found that knowledge and self-concept have a significant influence on the anxiety of patients with breast cancer in dealing with chemotherapy. The study highlights the importance of healthcare providers in providing comprehensive education and support to patients, focusing on building positive self-concept and reducing anxiety. By increasing patient knowledge, building positive self-concept, and providing comprehensive support, it is expected that the anxiety of patients with breast cancer in the face of chemotherapy can be reduced, so that they can undergo treatment more calmly and effectively.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs) about the Effect of Women's Self-Knowledge and Self-Concepts of Breast Cancer with Anxiety Facing Chemotherapy at Dr. Pirngadi Medan

Q: What is the significance of this study?

A: This study aims to explain the relationship between knowledge and self-concepts of women with breast cancer with their anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy at Dr. Pirngadi Medan. The study highlights the importance of healthcare providers in providing comprehensive education and support to patients, focusing on building positive self-concept and reducing anxiety.

Q: What are the main findings of the study?

A: The study found that the level of anxiety of patients with breast cancer in dealing with chemotherapy at Dr. Pirngadi Medan is in the medium category (62.2%). The study also found strong evidence that knowledge and self-concept had a significant influence on the patient's anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy.

Q: What is the role of knowledge in reducing anxiety in patients with breast cancer?

A: Knowledge of breast cancer and chemotherapy plays an important role in reducing anxiety. Patients who have good knowledge about their diseases and the treatment they will live tend to be more calm and can face chemotherapy with more prepared. Conversely, lack of knowledge can trigger fear, uncertainty, and finally anxiety.

Q: What is the role of self-concept in reducing anxiety in patients with breast cancer?

A: Positive self-concept is also an important factor in dealing with chemotherapy. Women who have positive self-concept tend to be more optimistic, confident, and able to overcome the challenges they face, including the side effects of chemotherapy. Conversely, negative self-concept can make patients feel helpless, pessimistic, and vulnerable to anxiety.

Q: What are some recommendations for healthcare providers to reduce patient anxiety?

A: Some things that can be done by health workers at Dr. Pirngadi Medan to reduce patient anxiety include:

Providing comprehensive counseling about breast cancer and chemotherapy
Conducting counseling and psychosocial support
Providing an opportunity for patients to ask questions and discuss
Providing group support to patients

Q: What are the implications of this study for healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients?

A: The findings of this study have implications for healthcare providers, policymakers, and patients. Healthcare providers should prioritize providing comprehensive education and support to patients with breast cancer, focusing on building positive self-concept and reducing anxiety. Policymakers should allocate resources to support the development of breast cancer treatment programs that prioritize patient-centered care. Patients should be empowered to take an active role in their treatment, seeking support from healthcare providers and support groups.

Q: What are some limitations of this study?

A: This study has several limitations. The study was conducted at a single hospital, which may limit the generalizability of the findings. The study used a cross-sectional design, which may not capture the dynamic nature of anxiety in patients with breast cancer. Future studies should aim to address these limitations, using larger sample sizes and longitudinal designs.

Q: What are some future research directions?

A: Future research should aim to build on the findings of this study, exploring the relationship between knowledge, self-concept, and anxiety in patients with breast cancer. Studies should investigate the effectiveness of interventions aimed at reducing anxiety in patients with breast cancer, such as counseling and psychosocial support. Future research should also explore the role of healthcare providers in supporting patients with breast cancer, including the development of patient-centered care programs.

Q: What can patients do to reduce their anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy?

A: Patients can take several steps to reduce their anxiety in dealing with chemotherapy, including:

Seeking comprehensive education and support from healthcare providers
Building positive self-concept through self-care and self-compassion
Engaging in counseling and psychosocial support
Connecting with other patients and support groups

Q: What can healthcare providers do to support patients with breast cancer?

A: Healthcare providers can support patients with breast cancer by:

Providing comprehensive education and support
Building positive self-concept through counseling and psychosocial support
Encouraging patients to take an active role in their treatment
Providing opportunities for patients to ask questions and discuss their concerns

Q: What are some resources available to support patients with breast cancer?

A: There are several resources available to support patients with breast cancer, including:

National Breast Cancer Organizations
Online support groups and forums
Counseling and psychosocial support services
Patient education programs and resources

Q: What are some future directions for breast cancer treatment and care?

A: Future directions for breast cancer treatment and care include:

Developing more effective and personalized treatment options
Improving patient-centered care and support
Increasing access to comprehensive education and support services
Enhancing the role of healthcare providers in supporting patients with breast cancer.