Cancer is the first cause of death that modern medicine is unable to cure completely. Cancer affects physical, mental, emotional, social, and spiritual health. Cancer patients seek alternative medicine as part of a holistic approach. If they respond on all levels, they may live happily and have a good quality of life. The purpose of this research was to study factors related to self care behavior and quality of life along with a concept of holistic health care among cancer patients. The samples consisted of 200 cancer patients who attended the 6th medical department and Bangpakok1 Hospital from August - October, 2000. The research examined foundation data, knowledge of and attitude towards self care, self care behavior, and quality of life. The data were analysed using percentage, arithmetic mean, standard deviation, Pearson’s product moment correlation, chi-square, and stepwise multiple regression. The results were as follows : Age, education, knowledge of and attitude towards self care were significantly related to self care behavior  = 0.05, 0.01, 0.01 and 0.01 respectively). Age, knowledge of and attitudea(   = 0.05,atowards self care were also significantly related to quality of life (  0.01, and 0.01 respectively). Self care behavior was significantly related to  = 0.01). Attitude, knowledge of self care, self careaquality of life ( behavior, and supporting agencies can predict self care behavior at 40 percents. Attitude and knowledge of self care can also predict the quality of life at 15 percents. Exercise, manual healing and the promotion of physical, mental, and spiritual health can determine quality of life. The results revealed that the foundation factors, knowledge of attitude towards holistic self care affected to self care behavior and quality of life among cancer patients. Moreover, the way of life with holistic self care also had a good influence on quality of life. Therefore, the development model of care, the study of foundation factors, knowledge of and attitude towards self care, health education, and training of holistic self care can help maintain a good quality of life among cancer patients.

M.Sc. (PUBLIC HEALTH) PUBLIC HEALTH NURSING (S) มหาวิทยาลัยมหิดล ปี 2544

Cancer, Quality, behavior, careHealthHOLISTIClifePatientSELF"