[A study on behaviors for preventing recurrence and quality of life in breast cancer survivors].

PURPOSE This study was to identify behaviors preventing the recurrence of breast cancer and the level of quality of life. METHODS This descriptive study was conducted using a structured questionnaire from November 1, 2006 to December 25, 2006. One hundred and twenty two women breast cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling. RESULTS The most frequent behavior for preventing recurrence of the breast cancer was dietary treatment (90.9%) and exercise (86.8%) was the second behavior. In addition, most of them perceived these behaviors as 'very effective' (82.8%). The degree of the quality of life of a breast cancer survivor was 5.34 point indicating a 'medium level'. CONCLUSION Breast cancer survivors pursued various behaviors for preventing recurrence of breast cancer. Therefore, the nursing interventions should be focused on a systematic educational approach considering healthy behaviors to prevent breast cancer recurrence for breast cancer survivors.