UPM Institutional Repository

Evaluating the impact of an intervention module on reducing physical side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy


Citation

Subramaniam, Suhasinee and Mohd Sidik, Sherina and Rampal, Lekhraj and K.C. Mani, Kulanthayan and Siti Irma Fadhilah and Periasamy, Ummavathy (2025) Evaluating the impact of an intervention module on reducing physical side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. Malaysian Journal of Medicine and Health Sciences, 21 (6). art. no. 1395. pp. 1-13. ISSN 1675-8544; eISSN: 2636-9346

Abstract

Introduction: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of morbidity and mortality worldwide, with breast cancer being one of the most prevalent forms affecting women globally. This study aims to develop, implement, and evaluate the effectiveness of an intervention module designed to reduce the physical effects experienced by breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at the Institute Kanser Negara (National Cancer Institute). Methods: A single-blinded Randomized Controlled Clinical Trial was conducted at Institut Kanser Negara between January 2023 and Jun 2023. The estimated sample size was 120 participants, with 60 participants in both the intervention and control groups. The intervention group received chemotherapy counseling using a newly developed module over three chemotherapy cycles. Result: The counselling module was effective in reducing the physical side effects among breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy at baseline and for three consecutive follow-ups . There was also a moderate effect reduction for physical side effects such as nausea (p< 0.001, partial Ƞ2 = 0.522), vomiting (p < 0.001, partial Ƞ2 = 0.519), diarrhea (p < 0.001, partial Ƞ2 = 0.389), constipation (p < 0.001, partial Ƞ2 = 0.226), fatigue (p < 0.001, partial Ƞ2 = 0.319), hair loss (p = 0.256, partial Ƞ2 = 0.011), mouth, gum and throat infection (p < 0.001, partial Ƞ2 = 0.237), skin and nail changes (p <0.001, partial Ƞ2 = 0.145). Conclusion: The intervention module with repetitive counseling sessions conducted by a pharmacist effectively reduced physical side effects in breast cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy.


Download File

[img] Text
127060.pdf - Published Version

Download (3MB)

Additional Metadata

Item Type: Article
Subject: Medicine (all)
Divisions: Faculty of Medicine and Health Science
DOI Number: https://doi.org/10.47836/mjmhs.v21.i6.1395
Publisher: Universiti Putra Malaysia Press
Keywords: Breast cancer; Cancer; Chemotherapy; Counselling; Physical side effects
Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs): SDG 3: Good Health and Well-being, SDG 5: Gender Equality, SDG 10: Reduced Inequalities
Depositing User: Ms. Nur Faseha Mohd Kadim
Date Deposited: 13 Jul 2026 04:35
Last Modified: 13 Jul 2026 04:35
Altmetrics: http://www.altmetric.com/details.php?domain=psasir.upm.edu.my&doi=10.47836/mjmhs.v21.i6.1395
URI: http://psasir.upm.edu.my/id/eprint/127060
Statistic Details: View Download Statistic

Actions (login required)

View Item View Item