Determination of symptoms and symptom clusters in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy treatment

Aim: To examine the symptom clusters in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy treatment. Materials and Methods: This descriptive study examined 128 female patients between February 2022-August 2023 using Memorial Symptom Assessment Scale, and EORTC QLQ-C30 Scale. Results: In cluster analysis, 23 symptoms with a prevalence of >25% were selected, and six clusters were identified. First cluster is nausea, loss of appetite, and fatigue/loss of energy; second cluster is taste change, dry mouth, mucositis, vomiting, weight loss, and diarrhea; third cluster is worrying, feeling nervous, drowsy, and difficulty sleeping; fourth cluster is feeling bloated, shortness of breath, and difficulty swallowing; fifth cluster is alopecia, not look like herself, feeling irritable, sad; and last cluster includes problems with sexual interest, activity, pain, and sweating. Conclusion: It may be recommended to plan and evaluate applications or interventions in breast cancer patients receiving adjuvant chemotherapy treatment for the six symptom clusters identified.