PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify the symptom cluster of fatigue, weight gain, and altered sexuality caused by treatment for breast cancer. DATA SOURCES: Published research and literature review articles. DATA SYNTHESIS: Fatigue, weight gain, and altered sexuality commonly occur after breast cancer chemotherapy. Each symptom has a significant impact on quality of life; however, viewing them as a symptom cluster magnifies their impact. CONCLUSIONS: These symptoms have yet to be studied as a cluster. Exercise appears to be an intervention common to each that may be effective in reducing the severity of these treatment side effects. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Nurses should view symptoms caused by breast cancer treatment holistically, keeping in mind that a reciprocal relationship often exists among symptoms. Identification of symptom clusters with empirically derived interventions may enhance quality of care and quality of life for patients.
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Wilmoth et al. (2004) studied this question.
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