Influence of family function on cancer-related fatigue of patients with cervical cancer radiotherapy

Abstract

Objective To study the current family function situation of patients with cervical cancer radiotherapy, and analyze its impact on cancer-related fatigue. Methods Using the quota sampling, 124 cervical cancer patients in the radiotherapy department were included in the study. The general information questionnaire, Family Assessment Device(FAD) and Fatigue Assessment Instrument(FAI)were used to survey. Results The patients with mild, moderate and severe family dysfunction accounted for 41.9%, 32.3% and 25.8% respectively. Patients with light, moderate and severe cancer-related fatigue accounted for 31.5%, 11.3% and 57.3% respectively. Pearson correlation analysis showed that family function dimension were negatively correlated with cancer-related fatigue (r=0.336-0.933, P<0.01). The degree of cancer-related fatigue was the heaviest of patients with severe family dysfunction. Patients with mild, moderate and severe family dysfunction were statistically significant (P<0.01). Conclusions Patients with cervical cancer radiotherapy have different degree of family dysfunction and cancer-related fatigue. The family function and cancer-related fatigue is closely related to each other. Medical staff must strengthen the knowledge learning of family function, understand cervical cancer family problems, target guidance of family members of patients care and support them. To some extent, we can prevent and reduce the cancer-related fatigue. Key words: Cervical cancer; Radiotherapy; Family function; Cancer-related fatigue