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What
is
the
demographic
profile
of
the
Freq.
1
4.00
1
4.00
3 12.00
2
8.00
18 72.00
25 100.00
32 years
Marital Status:
Single
Married
Separated
Widow
Total
5 20.00
18 72.00
1
4.00
1
4.00
25 100.00
Educational Attainment:
Elementary grad/under
High School grad/under
College grad/under
Total
1
4.00
8 32.00
16 64.00
25 100.00
Preoccupation:
Housekeeper
Unemployed
Employee
Businesswoman
Pensioner
Total
13 52.00
4 16.00
1
4.00
6 24.00
1
4.00
25 100.00
FEATURES
Freq. %
Family Economic Status
(Average Monthly Income):
Below Aver. (5,000 or less)
11 44.00
Average (5001 15,000)
9 36.00
Above Aver. (15,001 30,000) 2
8.00
Well-to-do (30,000 or more)
3 12.00
Total
25 100.00
Average
P3,360/mo.
Major Source of Emotional
Support:
None
2
8.00
Spouse
10 40.00
Children
9 36.00
Siblings
3 12.00
Relative
1
4.00
Total
25 100.00
Number of Years Diagnosed
of Having Breast Cancer:
3 years or less
17 68.00
4 years or more
8 32.00
Total
25 100.00
Average
3.13
Type of Treatments
Received:
Surgery
8 32.00
Radiation
1
4.00
Chemotherapy
7 28.00
Combination
6 24.00
Others (Albularyo)
3 12.00
Total
25 100.00
years. The most number of respondents with a total of 72 percent ages between 41
years or older. In descending order of frequency they are followed by: 12 percent ages
between 31-35 years , 8 percent ages between 36-40 years, 4 percent ages between
26-30 years and 4 percent are 25 years or younger.
An increasing age of an individual predisposes them into a higher a chance of
developing breast cancer, especially those who have other known risk factors such as
family history of breast cancer, use of oral contraceptives, early menarche or late
menopause, etc. because of this, breast cancer patients are likely those who belong in
the age bracket of 41 years old and above.
The second feature is connected with the MARITAL STATUS of the respondents
distributed in 4 significant categories. The most number of the respondents representing
72 percent of the total are married. In descending order of the frequency, they are
followed by: 20 percent are single; 1 percent is separated and 1 percent is widowed.
Since majority of the respondents is on the early, middle and late adult, most of
them usually settle to form families, hence they are married.
The third feature is concerned with the EDUCATIONAL ATTAINMENT of the
respondents distributed in three significant categories. The most number of respondents
representing 64 percent are College Graduates and Undergraduates. In descending
order of frequency, they are followed by: 32 percent are High School Graduates and
Undergraduates; and 4 percent are Elementary graduate and Undergraduate.
Although education is an important tool in understanding sensitive issues as
breast cancer, it is not enough in the developing risks of Breast Cancer. Aside from
lifestyle related factors such as not having children, hormone therapy after menopause
and intake of alcohol, there are other risk factors of breast cancer that cannot be
modified such as Gender, Aging and Dense Breast Tissue.
The respondents are distributed in five significant categories, namely:
Housekeeper, Unemployed, Employee, Businesswoman, and Pensioner. The most
number of respondents representing fifty two percent are Housekeeper; twenty four
percent are Businesswoman; sixteen percent are Unemployed; and only four percent
each are Employees and Pensioner.
Preoccupation is the major activity that makes a respondent busy. The plain
housekeeper attends to household needs and nothing else. The employed women are
those who receive salaries and wages from a public or private employer like office
employees, factory workers, sales ladies, guest relation officers and the like. The selfemployed women are those whose means of livelihood are not derived from an
employer which include home-service manicurists, independent dressmakers, etc.
Businesswomen are those into small-scale trading like sari-sari stores, wet market
vendors, etc. Pensioners include retirees who receive monthly pensions from SSS or
GSIS. Others include the unemployed women who are neither a plain housekeeper nor
a student and those engaged in insignificant preoccupation. At this juncture, it is still
unclear whether preoccupation plays a crucial role in the socio-emotional effects of
breast cancer among patients.
The fifth feature is related to the ECONOMIC STATUS of the respondents
distributed in 4 significant categories. As seen on the table, the respondents answers
highly on the below average selection with a respondent of 11 persons followed by
average with respondent of 9. Next is well-to-do with a respondent of 3 persons and
lastly the above average with a respondent of 2 persons with a total number of
respondents of 25 persons.
The results revealed that majority of the respondents and their families have
been really exerting not only their effort but also money as well, to primarily give a
higher chance of survival among their family members who are at these kind of disease.
Breast cancer treatment includes chemotherapy and radiation therapy which are
undoubtedly of a very high cost nowadays. But despite of that, the families of the
patients have been sustaining their needs for a longer survival. Fortunate are those who
already have the capacity to afford the therapies given. But most, if not all, would still
need to suffer too much just for those treatments for breast cancer. Hence, every family
of the individual undergoing therapy is economically affected by these circumstances.
been diagnosed of having breast cancer for less than three years. However, since
cancer shows no symptoms at first, some only do checkups on their doctors, for four
years or more, only whenever of a severe condition already or on a higher stage of the
disease.
The eight and last feature gave information on the respondents TYPE OF
TREATMENTS RECEIVED distributed in 5 significant categories. Every one of the
respondents received treatment. The most number of respondents representing 32
percent or 8 of the total had surgery; 28 percent or 7 received chemotherapy; 24
percent or 6
treatments; and only 4 percent or 1 went through radiation therapy. Based on the
results, it can be seen that majority or 32 percent of the total respondents underwent a
surgery. And the minority or 4 percent of the total respondents had radiation therapy.
As technology advances, several treatment modalities have evolved for the
treatment and diagnosis of cancer. There is no specific treatment modality for cancer for
every patient needs different approach and also, they must also take into consideration
the cost of every single treatment since majority of the respondents belong to the
bracket below average earning only 5, 000 only or less. Majority of the respondents
have tried surgery for it is the primary treatment modality because this procedure helps
kill cancer cells easily and effectively compared to chemotherapy and radiation therapy.
The latter is also very costly nowadays and requires more frequently than the former.
the effects of breast cancer and its treatments on the following aspects:
Table 2.1
Extent of Effect of Breast Cancer and Its Treatments
Aspect: Social
Social Effects
Mean
Interpretation
Discrimination
3.24
Moderate
Alienation
2.52
Moderate
3.64
Strong
3.32
Moderate
3.24
Moderate
3.19
Moderate
Average
Table 2.1 listed 5 extents of social effects that a patient may experience with
Breast Cancer. The 5 social effects earned a composite mean rating of 3.19 which is an
equivalent to an extent of effect of Moderate. On the top of the list is Loss of
productivity at work with an extent of effect of Strong with the highest mean rating of
3.64. The second on the list is Difficulty with sex functions with an extent of effect of
Moderate that has a mean rating of 3.32. The third and fourth on the list is
Discrimination and Loss of interactive communication with an extent of effect of
Moderate that has both a mean rating of 3.24. The last on the list is Alienation with
an extent of effect of Moderate that has a mean rating of 2.52.
Based on the results, it appears that the respondents often experience Loss of
productivity at work. It is a necessity of every individual to feel productive at work
because without it, they often feel useless withdrawn from others. Every individual
should feel that they are contributing to the welfare of their family and society for them
not to feel as stagnant. They should keep doing things to benefit not only themselves
but as well as other generations. When they feel this sense of productivity, they might
feel of making their own marks on the society, hence, self accomplishment and selfworth is raised.
Table 2.2
Extent of Effect of Breast Cancer and Its Treatments
Aspect: Emotional
Emotional Effects
Mean
Interpretation
Fear, shock
4.04
Strong
Denial
3.76
Strong
Anger
2.96
Moderate
Depression
3.52
Strong
Loss of self-esteem
2.60
Moderate
Anxiety
3.68
Strong
Stress
3.04
Moderate
Guilt
3.04
Moderate
Self-pity
2.84
Moderate
Hopelessness
3.28
Moderate
3.28
Moderate
Average
Table 2.2 enumerated the 10 extent of emotional effects that a patient may
experience with Breast Cancer. The 10 emotional effects earned a composite mean
rating of 3.28 which is an equivalent to an extent of effect of Moderate. On the top of
the list is Fear, shock with an extent of effect of Strong that has a mean rating of
4.04. The second is Denial with an extent of effect of Strong that has a mean rating
of 3.76. The third is Anxiety with an extent of effect of Strong that has a mean rating of
3.68. The fourth on the list is Depression with an extent of effect of Strong that has a
mean rating of 3.76. The fifth on the list is Hopelessness with an extent of effect of
Moderate that has a mean rating of 3.28. The sixth and seventh on the list are Guilt
and Stress with an extent of effect of Moderate that has both a mean rating of 3.04.
The eighth on the list is Anger with an extent of effect of Moderate that has a mean
rating of 2.96. The ninth on the list is Self Pity with an extent of effect of Moderate
that has a mean rating of 2.84. The last on the list is Loss of Self Esteem with an
extent of effect of Moderate that has a mean rating of 2.60.
Since Breast Cancer is a chronic and fatal disease, women diagnosed with
Breast Cancer often feel shock because most women usually do not expect the
occurrence of the disease due to the absence of symptoms in the early stage of the
disease. Fear, due to fear of death, the greatest fear of every individual especially those
who are in this stage of illness/disease.
Table 2.3
Summary of Extent of Effect of
Breast Cancer and Its Treatments
Effects
Mean
Interpretation
Social
3.19
Moderate
Emotional
3.28
Moderate
3.25
Moderate
Overall Average
Table 2.2 summarized the extent of effects of Breast Cancer in both Social and
Emotional. The 2 extent of effects earned a composite mean rating of 3.24 which is
equivalent to an extent of effect of Moderate. The highest mentioned above is the
Emotional with an extent of effect of Moderate that has a mean rating of 3.28 and
second is Social with an extent of effect of Moderate that has a mean rating of 3.19.
Although Breast Cancer may cause social withdrawal among those who
developed it, the emotional effects such as Fear, Denial, Anger, etc. are the most
affected in an individual. Most women are often scared of how this illness will affect their
daily lives.
respondents demographic profile and the extent by which they are affected
socially and emotionally by breast cancer and its treatments?
Chi
df
Square
Critical
Significant Difference
Value *
(X2) Value
52.41
16
26.30
Significantly Different
Marital Status
7.23
12
21.03
No Significant Difference
Educational Attainment
19.93
15.51
Significantly Different
Preoccupation
29.89
16
26.30
Significantly Different
10.42
12
21.03
No significant Difference
26.86
16
26.30
Significantly Different
4.79
9.49
No Significant Difference
51.38
16
26.39
Significantly Different
Age
Support
Number of Years Diagnosed of
Having Breast Cancer
Type of Treatments Received
The difference is said to be significant whenever the chi square value is more
than that of the critical value. This is interpreted to mean that the configuration of the
assessments is influenced by a specified demographic feature. There having a no
significant difference, it is concluded that the hypothesis involving the demographic
features and the extent of effect of breast cancer and its treatments concerning social
effects is untrue. In view thereof, the hypothesis is accepted. In the table, it can be
10
seen that no significant difference existed involving the demographic features: marital
status, family economic status, and number of years diagnosed of having breast cancer.
There is significant difference when the result is the opposite, that is, the critical
value is higher than that of the chi square value. There having significant difference, it is
concluded that the hypothesis involving the demographic features and the extent of
effect of social effects is true. As such, the hypothesis is rejected.
The preceding table shows significant difference existed involving the
demographic features: age, educational attainment, preoccupation, major source of
emotional support, and type of treatments received. This is interpreted to mean that the
configuration of the assessments is not influenced by the foregoing demographic
features.
Table 3.2
Significant Difference
Demographic Profile: Extent of Effect
11
Chi
df
Square
Critical
Significant Difference
Value *
(X2) Value
58.71
16
26.30
Significantly Different
Marital Status
6.91
12
21.03
No Significant Difference
Educational Attainment
10.02
15.51
No Significant Difference
Preoccupation
46.55
16
26.30
Significantly Different
14.29
12
21.03
No significant Difference
46.51
16
26.30
Significantly Different
4.79
9.49
No Significant Difference
61.15
16
26.30
Significantly Different
Age
Support
Number of Years Diagnosed of
Having Breast Cancer
Type of Treatments Received
In Table 3.2, it can be seen that significant difference existed in the extent of
effect of emotional effects involving the demographic features: marital status,
educational attainment, and family economic status. This means that the pattern of
answers was not influenced by these demographic variables. The hypothesis involving
these variables is therefore untrue and accordingly rejected.
No significant difference, however, existed between the extent of effect of
emotional effects involving the following demographic features: age, preoccupation,
major source of emotional support, number of years diagnosed of having breast cancer
and type of treatments received. This means that the pattern of answers was influenced
by these demographic variables. The hypothesis involving these variables is therefore
true and accordingly accepted.
Research Problem No. 4:
12
Table 4
Degree of Effectiveness
Adaptation Strategies
Adaptation Strategies
Communicate with family and friends
Mean
Interpretation
4.28
Very effective
3.88
Very effective
4.04
Very effective
3.68
Very effective
3.60
Very effective
4.00
Very effective
3.80
Very effective
3.80
Very effective
Exercise
4.12
Very effective
3.88
Very effective
Average
3.91
Very effective
13
A Functional Adaptation Plan was developed to reduce the intensity of the social
and emotional effects of breast cancer and its treatments. It was shown as
Recommendation in Chapter V of this study.