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Informational need assessment has become an important part of health care in order to provide information effectively in clinical settings. Literature on information needs in the West suggests that breast cancer (BC) patients needed more information than doctors had provided, and information that fully met their needs was associated with patients' long-term well-being. Since few studies on this issue have been conducted in Japan, where the general consultation style is less open and more indirect, compared with that in the West, the application of the findings in the West is questionable. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore perceived information needs among female BC patients in Japan. Twelve Japanese women with BC participated in semi-structured face-to-face interviews. Grounded theory using verbatim transcripts extracted two main themes: information needed to minimize physical and psychological impacts of treatment and information needed for the resumption of normal life. These were closely related at two time points. Physical support after discharge was perceived as relatively insufficient, especially by women experiencing post-operative arm complications. More open and direct communication was preferred between patients and doctors/family members in the recovery phase. Unmet needs for information may lead to patients' distress. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Disclosing illness-related problems is the first step in help-seeking. The aim of this qualitative study was to explore Japanese breast cancer (BC) survivors' decision-making about disclosure of lymphoedema symptoms to people in their social networks. A total of ten women participated in group discussions in Japan. A dual analytic approach, thematic analysis and conceptual analysis, was applied to the transcripts. Two themes (perceived responsibility of social roles within the family and unsupportive reactions to BC from others) affected participants' decision-making. Support programs for Japanese BC survivors who feel unable to disclose lymphoedema symptoms to family members are suggested.

Despite traumatic experiences of cancer, survivors often report positive changes. Since little research has been conducted into such changes among Japanese breast cancer survivors, our knowledge is minimal. This qualitative study aimed to explore the nature of the positive changes among this group. A thematic analysis suggested that participants had experienced seven types of positive change: Attitudinal changes towards life, strengthening trust in family and friends, increased appreciation of life, self-development, future perspectives, education for friends, and efforts towards bodily change. Awareness of vulnerability in life, received social support and social comparisons appear to trigger some of the positive changes.

Background: In Japan, a high proportion of breast cancer (BC) survivors develop lymphoedema as a consequence of the treatment received. Japanese BC survivors are generally not provided with standardised information about risks, early signs and symptom management. The effects of (in)adequate information on the problem-solving processes among Japanese BC survivors with lymphoedema symptoms have not been investigated., Purpose: The aim of this study was to explore how the provision of medical information by doctors affected the problem-solving processes of Japanese BC survivors with lymphoedema symptoms., Method: Ten Japanese BC survivors participated in audio-taped focus group discussions. Transcripts were analysed using an inductive thematic analysis., Results: Analysis identified two phases during which participants attempted to address problems with managing their lymphoedema symptoms - a help-seeking phase and an evaluation phase. Perceptions of information provision affected emotional responses to the onset and cognitive appraisals of lymphoedema symptoms (seen as accepted or burden). However, perceptions of information provision did not affect help-seeking behaviours from surgeons or adherence behaviours. Participants often perceived compression sleeves as inefficient and not worth continuing., Conclusion: This study suggests that information provision is a key process in helping BC patients to adjust to symptoms of lymphoedema. In order to promote effective symptom management, doctors and nurses should provide support not only during the help-seeking phase but also the evaluation phase. Further research on the most effective ways to change negative treatment beliefs should be conducted., (© 2011 The Authors. Scandinavian Journal of Caring Sciences © 2011 Nordic College of Caring Science.)

Objective: To develop a new scale to assess psycho-social discomfort in breast cancer (BC) survivors in Japanese society and to investigate its psychometric properties., Method: A total of 248 Japanese BC survivors completed both the Psycho-social Discomfort Scale (PsDS) and WHO Quality of Life BREF Japanese version (WHO QoL-Jp). A principal component factor analysis (with promax rotation) was performed, and internal consistency was examined using Cronbach's alpha. Divergent and convergent validities and criterion validity were examined using the Spearman's R., Results: The factor analysis extracted three factors: 'internalised stigma (IS)', 'social disclosure of BC (SD)', and 'psychological resources to live with BC (PR)'. The factors were moderately correlated. The scale had good internal consistency (alpha = 0.80). All sub-scales were inversely correlated with all the domains in the WHO QoL-Jp (r = -0.09 to -0.47). BC stage was significantly correlated with the SD sub-scale, and type of surgery was significantly correlated with the IS sub-scale., Conclusions: The PsDS has 25 items. It measures psycho-social discomfort that Japanese BC survivors experienced or were experiencing in their community. It has a simple factor structure, relatively good internal consistency, and a satisfactory divergent validity., (Copyright © 2010 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.)