Degree Name

Master of Science

Document Type

Thesis

Date Created

12-1-2019

Department

College of Natural and Health Sciences, Nursing, Nursing Student Work

Abstract

Cancer patients often suffer from malnutrition and low quality of life, especially gastric cancer patients. This is an important factor in the decision to treat cancer. Researchers are interested in the relationship of nutritional status between quality of life through body mass index to the main aspects of quality of life: core healthy days, physical, mental, or emotional problems; physical, functional, cognitive, and social limitations; and side effects such as fatigue; nausea, pain, anorexia, constipation, and diarrhea. The relationship between quality of life and weight loss indicates the importance of nutrition management in cancer patients. Cancer patients have special physical and mental health needs because they face risks associated with late side effects as well as recurrence of the disease. Studies have shown a scientific diet helps prevent some complications of stomach cancer patients. Researchers are also exploring some diets and exercise habits of patients after cancer treatment that could help prevent the disease from recurring and reduce complications to improve the quality of life of the patient. Education programs could help cancer patients learn how to change their lifestyle to stay healthy. Programs that include diet, exercise, and stress management would be more likely to help cancer patients adapt to these changes. Maintaining life for cancer patients should rely on the nutrients in food. The most important problem of cancer atients is the lack of nutrients; improving nutrition for patients would be an important method in treating and fighting cancer. Combining the right foods for cancer patients could improve the body's resistance and have an effect on the treatment and quality of life for patients with stomach cancer. Using a cross-sectional correlation study, the researcher investigated 38 gastric cancer patients with chemotherapy at an oncology hospital. Baseline anthropometrics included changes over time, body mass index (BMI), and Health Related Quality of Life. The instrument was a researcher administered questionnaire and a medical history form was also completed. The results indicated a correlation between nutritional status parameters and quality of life. The results shown in the analysis of nutritional status showed health- related quality of life was significantly correlated with perception of healthy days: activity limitation and healthy days symptom scale with r2 value of 0.239 and Durbin- Watson value of 2.

Keywords

Gastric Cancer; Quality of Life; Nutritional Status

Rights Statement

Copyright is held by the author.

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