• Lingying Jia and Yan Hu.
• School of Nursing, Fudan University, Shanghai, People's Republic of China.
• Patient Prefer Adher. 2022 Jan 1; 16: 2663-2681.

ObjectiveThis study aims to describe the experience and connotations of self-management about adjuvant therapy (AT) in Chinese breast cancer survivors (BCS) and explore possible factors that affect their self-management level.MethodsSemi-structured interviews were conducted in postoperative BCS undergoing AT using a qualitative description method. The conceptual structure and connotations were extracted after researchers collected and coded interview transcripts.ResultsAfter interviewing 29 patients, the conceptual framework of self-management in BCS during AT was optimized with three major themes: medical-related, emotion, and role management. Medical-related management includes AT-related adverse reactions; medical cooperation and knowledge acquisition; recovery and protection of affected limb; medical compliance; body image; sexual function and fertility; healthy lifestyle; catheter daily protection; and AT-related financial burdens. Emotion management includes recognition, prevention, and regulation of negative emotions. Role management consists of three aspects: family role, social role, and work role.ConclusionThe conceptual structure and connotations formed in this study can help researchers to evaluate and intervene in the self-management ability of BCS during AT, so as to formulate the best model of care to improve their quality of life and clinical outcomes.© 2022 Jia and Hu.

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