| Research Abstract |
1)From the end of 2001 into 2002, an investigation using a questionnaire was carried out, directed at 1.Patients attending patients' groups, 2.Breast Outpatients, 3.Patients' Meeting leaders, 4.Nursing staff, 5.Doctors/(Medical Staff) and 6.American Patients' Group Members. We have considered the result including those who co-operated in carrying out the study.
2)From 2001 to 2003, the person presenting the study and those co-operating with it have continued to attend the regular Breast Cancer Meetings as advisors. We have got to know the kind of relationship the patients have with each other and have given our support at an exhibition held at a Japanese Women's Conference in Otsu City and also with activities carried out in the community. As a branch event we have also given lectures on the results of the study. Also, in 2002, centered on Los Angeles, America we carried out studies at the Wellness Community concerning the support given to cancer patients including breast cancer patient
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At locations such as UCLA, St Vincent Medical center, and The Little Company of Mary Hospital, we observed the treatment and support given to cancer patients. On the Western Sea- Coast we saw how Eastern medical treatment is helping to bring tranquility to patients who favor its use.
3)From the first year of the study, the researcher of this study has continued to hear from over ten members of the patients who gave their agreement, about the process of their recovery from breast cancer. It is explain that each person with her own experience of illness has her own respective process to independence. In addition, in the year 2003, through the mediation of a Japanese doctor who has a clinic in Los Angeles, eleven Japanese women (aged from in their forties to seventies) who live around Los Angeles and who have developed breast cancer since coming there were interviewed. In America with the possibility of lawsuits, 'informed consent' is a big issue. It was discovered that patients are often pushed to decide themselves everything from the doctor who will operate on them to the type of operation and their after care. But it was discovered that, although this is a problem to them at first, in the process of dealing with these things they are gaining a great deal of knowledge about their treatment and a deepening perception of their own body image Also it was found that the American explanatory written information about the treatment of breast cancer and life after the operation, especially Dr Love's publication, is more practical and easy to understand than material published in Japan.
The researcher was also able to hear about the difficult situations faced until life settles down again. Because of the researcher's moving work situation, the completion of the report has been delayed for one year. Because a large number of questionnaires were conducted in Japan and America and many interviews were carried out, this report includes the result of all the questionnaires, and records a part of the interviews. Less
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