Supportive Care Needs of Chinese Women With Newly Diagnosed Breast Cancer Prior to Adjuvant Chemotherapy

Purpose: To describe the supportive care needs of Chinese women newly diagnosed with breast cancer prior to adjuvant chemotherapy.

Participants & Setting: 13 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer were recruited from a public teaching hospital in northern China.

Methodologic Approach: Semistructured interviews were conducted, and data were analyzed following a qualitative descriptive approach and qualitative content analysis.

Findings: The following five themes emerged: (a) physical symptoms management; (b) complex psychological pressure related to chemotherapy, family, and the missing breast; (c) hope of acquiring chemotherapy-related information in advance; (d) daily life guidance; and (e) communication and surrounding support.

Implications for Nursing: Nurses should focus on patients’ prechemotherapy supportive care needs and comprehensively assess their specific needs and concerns related to post-surgery discomfort and chemotherapy, with considerations of the Chinese family concept, diet, and traditional culture. Targeted health information and psychological support are necessary to help patients transition to and adequately prepare for chemotherapy.