Impact of Psycho-Social Factors on Fatigue among Breast Cancer Patients Who Are Currently Undergoing Radiotherapy

Abstract

Fatigue in breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy has been studied less comprehensively than fatigue from chemotherapy. The aim of this study was to test the impact of psycho-social factors on the fatigue among breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. This was a cross-sectional correlational study and participants were 210 breast cancer patients currently undergoing radiotherapy in an outpatient setting in Korea. Data collection was carried out from 22 July to 30 September 2019. The results of this study showed that symptom assessment, anxiety and depression, uncertainty, and perceived stress had a direct effect on the fatigue of breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy, while social support had an indirect effect. These factors explained 67.2% of the fatigue among the participants. This study confirmed that various interventions for symptom assessment, anxiety and depression, uncertainty, and stress reduction need to be developed to reduce fatigue of breast cancer patients receiving radiotherapy. The present results form the basis for developing such interventions.