https://orcid.org/0000-0002-0948-5054
Abstract
Purpose
To explore symptom experience and symptom clusters among Jordanian women with breast cancer and investigate whether these clusters predict patients’ spiritual well-being.
Patients and Methods
A sample of 142 Jordanian women with breast cancer were asked to complete the Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale (MSAS), Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy- Spiritual Well-being (FACIT-Sp) scale, and socio-demographic questionnaire. Exploratory factor analysis was used to group symptoms into clusters, and multiple linear regression was used to explore the symptom clusters that predict spiritual well-being.
Results
The most prevalent symptoms among women with breast cancer were fatigue, anxiety, tension, and pain. All these symptoms have a prevalence greater than 50%. Three clusters were found: treatment-related symptom cluster consisting of eight symptoms, gastrointestinal symptom cluster consisting of seven symptoms, and psychological symptom cluster consisting of five symptoms. The psychological symptom cluster was the only cluster predicting the women’s spiritual well-being (t (141) = −3.049; p < 0.01).
Conclusion
Women with breast cancer experience several concurrent symptoms and symptom clusters. Screening for psychological symptom clusters and their treatment improves patients’ spiritual well-being. The majority of women with breast cancer did not receive any complementary therapies and hardly any spiritual or psychological support, which should be provided in the future to support their spiritual well-being.
Acknowledgment
We thank Prof. Huda Abu-Saad and the FACIT organization for permitting us to use the Arabic versions of the scales. The authors are also grateful for the funding support provided by the Deanship of Scientific Research at the University of Jordan, which was necessary for this study to be completed. The authors thank all cancer patients who continue participating in research studies despite their vulnerability and burden.
Disclosure
The authors declare no conflicts of interest regarding this work.