European Journal of Cancer Care最新文献

{"title":"Antiemetic Efficacy and Safety of Palonosetron on Days 1 and 5 with Aprepitant and Dexamethasone during Bleomycin, Etoposide, and Cisplatin Chemotherapy in Patients with Germ Cell Tumor: A Prospective Study","authors":"Fumimasa Fukuta,&nbsp;Hiroshi Kitamura,&nbsp;Hiroshi Hotta,&nbsp;Naoki Itoh,&nbsp;Manabu Okada,&nbsp;Tetsuya Shindo,&nbsp;Yuki Kyoda,&nbsp;Kohei Hashimoto,&nbsp;Ko Kobayashi,&nbsp;Toshiaki Tanaka,&nbsp;Naoya Masumori","doi":"10.1155/2024/8838889","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8838889","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Objective</i>. BEP (bleomycin, etoposide, and cisplatin) chemotherapy is a standard regimen for germ cell tumors (GCTs); however, their high emetogenicity is problematic. The control of chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is crucial to complete the treatment. We conducted this study to explore the efficacy and safety of antiemetic therapy with dexamethasone and aprepitant for 5 days in combination with palonosetron 0.75 mg on days 1 and 5 in BEP. <i>Methods</i>. This open-label single-arm study was prospectively conducted in 4 hospitals. Chemotherapy-naïve men with GCT who were scheduled to receive the BEP regimen were eligible. The primary endpoint was the complete response (CR) rate of CINV. <i>Results</i>. A total of 19 patients were enrolled. Overall, 16 (84.2%) patients experienced some nausea, whereas only 4 (21.1%) patients had grade 1 emetic events. Overall CR of CINV was achieved in 9 (47.4%) patients. Although 14 (73.7%) patients experienced 22 adverse events after palonosetron administration, severe adverse events (grade 3 or more) attributable to it did not occur. <i>Conclusion</i>. The results suggest that aprepitant, palonosetron, and dexamethasone antiemetic therapy for patients with GCT receiving BEP is safe, whereas the efficacy of additional palonosetron administration on day 5 for prevention of delayed CINV remains unclear. This trial is registered with UMIN000008110.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-17","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/8838889","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141639568","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Cancer Outpatients’ Self-Reported Pain Relief, Analgesic Adherence, and Constipation during Follow-Up Support: A Prospective, Longitudinal Study","authors":"Hong Yang,&nbsp;Xiaoxiao Ma,&nbsp;Shiyi Zhang,&nbsp;Jinxing Shao,&nbsp;Xin Li,&nbsp;Lihua Hao,&nbsp;Hong Zhang,&nbsp;Fanxiu Heng,&nbsp;Yuhan Lu","doi":"10.1155/2024/5579783","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5579783","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Aims and Objectives</i>. This prospective study describes the pain relief, analgesic adherence, and constipation experienced by cancer outpatients with pain during the first three cycles of follow-up support based on an information system. <i>Methods</i>. Outpatients with cancer pain who received at least three cycles of follow-up support between 1 July 2020 and 31 March 2022 at our cancer centre were enrolled in this prospective, longitudinal study. Three cycles of follow-up support were provided by trained nurses over the telephone. Pain relief, analgesic adherence, and constipation were reported by the patients and recorded in the information system by trained nurses during the telephone follow-up. <i>Results</i>. A total of 386 cancer patients were enrolled in the study. Pain relief and analgesic adherence improved significantly during the three follow-up cycles after they received support (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.001). The rate of pain relief and analgesic adherence improved at the second cycle compared to the first cycle, but the rate decreased at the third cycle compared to the second cycle. Some patients who had no problems at the first follow-up cycle experienced new problems during the second and third follow-up cycles. There was no significant difference in the incidence of constipation between follow-up cycles (<i>P</i> = 0.078). <i>Conclusions</i>. Cancer outpatients with pain reported increased pain relief and analgesic adherence during follow-up support. Compared to rates at the first and third cycles, pain relief and analgesic adherence were best at the second cycle after follow-up support according to the information system. <i>Relevance to Clinical Practice</i>. Changes in pain intensity, analgesic adherence, and constipation were noted over time, which highlights the need for continuous follow-up to achieve prolonged pain relief in cancer patients after discharge from the hospital.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-09","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/5579783","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141583972","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Measuring Incompatibilities between Areas of Life in Cancer Survivors: Development and Psychometric Evaluation of the INCOMPAT-CS Instrument","authors":"Kati Hiltrop,&nbsp;Clara Breidenbach,&nbsp;Marie Degenhardt,&nbsp;Paula Heidkamp,&nbsp;Lina Heier,&nbsp;Christoph Kowalski,&nbsp;Sophie Schellack,&nbsp;Johannes Soff,&nbsp;Nicole Ernstmann","doi":"10.1155/2024/8863478","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/8863478","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Objective</i>. Due to various long-term consequences of the disease, cancer survivors (CS) can experience incompatibilities between areas of life (work, family, household, leisure time, and disease) that can be associated with reduced satisfaction with these areas of life. To be able to assess such incompatibilities quantitatively, a six-item instrument (INCOMPAT-CS) was developed and psychometrically evaluated. <i>Methods</i>. Based on relevant theories, a multidisciplinary team developed the items of the INCOMPAT-CS. Descriptive analyses, exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses, as well as validity and reliability assessments were conducted using survey data from <i>n</i> = 293 CS collected as part of the CARES study. Incompatibilities between areas of life were measured with the newly developed INCOMPAT-CS instrument. <i>Results</i>. A one component solution with satisfactory model fit (normed <i>χ</i>² = 1.90, RMSEA = 0.06, CFI = 0.99, and TLI = 0.97) was identified in exploratory and confirmatory factor analyses. The INCOMPAT-CS demonstrated acceptable internal consistency (Cronbach’s <i>α</i> = 0.790) and high test-retest reliability <i>ρ</i> = 0.569 (<i>p</i> &lt; 0.001). Convergent validity could be demonstrated (CR = 0.858 and AVE = 0.506). Hypothesis-consistent correlations with role and social functioning measures further indicate convergent validity. <i>Conclusions</i>. The INCOMPAT-CS is useful to assess incompatibilities among areas of life in CS quantitatively. Moreover, it helps to reveal the areas negatively affected due to incompatibilities. This short instrument can be useful in aftercare or psychosocial support interventions to detect incompatibilities and work towards reducing them as a consequence to increase CS’ wellbeing.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/8863478","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141536796","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Integrating Implementation Theory to Address Inequities in Cancer Care: Perspectives from an International Working Group","authors":"K. L. Whitaker,&nbsp;A. Cox,&nbsp;G. McErlean,&nbsp;A. Pal,&nbsp;K. Stansbury,&nbsp;M. Estupiñán Fdez de Mesa,&nbsp;R. S. Kerrison,&nbsp;N. Gil,&nbsp;A. Marcu,&nbsp;J. Armes,&nbsp;M. L. Yap,&nbsp;G. P. Delaney,&nbsp;C. Hoyo","doi":"10.1155/2024/9994508","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/9994508","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Background</i> . There are well-established, persistent inequities in cancer care and cancer outcomes within and between countries. The aim of this article is to explore how implementation theory, specifically the Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR), alongside coproduction principles, could be used to maximise the effectiveness of innovations with a vision of reducing inequity in cancer care. <i>Methods</i>. Workshops were conducted with partners from US, Australia, and UK, participating in the University Global Partnership Network (UGPN), which funded the collaboration. From these workshops, three case studies were identified and the framework was applied to identify ways of using CFIR to maximise the effectiveness of innovations. <i>Results</i>. The three case studies focused on human papillomavirus (HPV) testing and vaccination, participation in clinical trials, and use of translation services. We identified opportunities, for each of the case studies, where CFIR could be applied to improve implementation and proposed recommendations to ensure effective implementation of innovations using CFIR domains, including individual constructs (e.g., awareness and cultural competence), inner setting constructs (e.g., technology infrastructure), and outer setting constructs (e.g., how services are monitored, evaluated, and commissioned). <i>Conclusions</i>. Applying CFIR as an implementation framework offers a structured and holistic approach to consider how to maximise the effectiveness of innovations in the context of reducing inequities in cancer care. Working with other countries to apply this framework also provides a uniform approach to understand and reduce inequities across a range of innovations and address the global mission to improve cancer care for all.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-07-02","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/9994508","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141536795","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Prostate Cancer Knowledge, Attitudes, and Beliefs amongst Women: The Application of a Psychometrically Valid Tool (PCaKAB-Gh) in a Large Population","authors":"Ebenezer Wiafe,&nbsp;Kofi Boamah Mensah,&nbsp;Neelaveni Padayachee,&nbsp;Frasia Oosthuizen,&nbsp;Varsha Bangalee","doi":"10.1155/2024/5541785","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5541785","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Background</i>. The involvement of women, as health influencers, has been instrumental in improving health outcomes and quality of life. In sub-Saharan Africa, poor knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs about cancers have contributed to late detection and increased mortality. Although pharmacists have provided optimum pharmaceutical care in ensuring that prostate cancer (PCa) patients obtain maximum clinical benefits from pharmacotherapy, late detection has hindered pharmacotherapeutic outcomes. The application of the PCaKAB-Gh tool to women has the potential to investigate their lapses in PCa knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs and further equip pharmacists and other healthcare professionals to design educational interventions. Ultimately, Ghanaian women will be well-positioned to advise and motivate their men to screen for PCa. <i>Method</i>. Our pilot and psychometric studies recruited 400 and 500 participants from the Kumasi Central Market and the New Agogo Community Market, respectively. In this large population application of the PCaKAB-Gh tool, 2000 women were simply randomly enrolled from these markets and data were collected using paper questionnaires with ethical approval. Data were entered into IBM SPSS (version 24) after cleaning and coding for analysis. The knowledge on signs and symptoms was scored and graded as “low” (≤2), “moderate” (3–5), and “high” (5–8), whilst the knowledge on causes and risk factors was stratified as “low” (≤1), “moderate” (2-3), and “high” (4-5). Pearson’s correlation was conducted to investigate the relationship between women’s educational status and knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Statistical significance was established as a <i>p</i> &lt; 0.05. <i>Results</i>. Christians and Muslims accounted for about 70% and 24% of the participants, respectively, whilst over 50% of the participants were Akans. Over 50% and 30% of the 2000 participants had high and moderate knowledge about the signs and symptoms of PCa, respectively. Knowledge about the causes and risk factors was approximately 30% high and 50% moderate amongst the participants. Negative attitudes and beliefs outcomes were observed in about 25% and 55% of the participants. A <i>p</i> &lt; 0.001 was achieved in Pearson’s correlation between the educational level of respondents and knowledge on signs and symptoms (<i>r</i> = −0.102), knowledge on causes and risk factors (<i>r</i> = 0.111), attitudes (<i>r</i> = −0.122), and beliefs (<i>r</i> = 0.228). <i>Conclusions</i>. Our study established that market women had better knowledge on the signs and symptoms of PCa compared to the causes and risk factors. Their beliefs about PCa were worse compared to their attitudes. The development and administration of educational interventions, relying on the outcomes of this study, must involve markets, churches, and mosques as educational sites with special attention to addressing negative beliefs through a broader community-based engagement.</p>\u0000 ","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-24","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/5541785","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141488391","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patient Perceptions of Physical Rehabilitation and Its Method of Delivery for a Variety of Adverse Physical Effects following Breast Cancer Surgery: An Observational Mixed Methods Study","authors":"Deirdre E. McGhee,&nbsp;Anne T. McMahon,&nbsp;Julie R. Steele","doi":"10.1155/2024/6612611","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/6612611","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Purpose</i>. To investigate patient perceptions of physical rehabilitation received for various adverse physical effects following breast cancer surgery and the content and delivery methods of the physical rehabilitation received. <i>Methods</i>. Cross-sectional study of 509 Australian women living with breast cancer (<i>n</i> = 178 (35%) (Breast Conserving Surgery (BCS)), <i>n</i> = 168 (33%) (Mastectomy (MAST)), and <i>n</i> = 163 (32%) (Breast Reconstruction Surgery (BRS)). Retrospective, online survey investigated the physical rehabilitation received after surgery/treatment. The survey explored the respondents′ perceptions (open response) and satisfaction levels with the physical rehabilitation received and its content and delivery method (closed responses). Perceptions were analyzed using a thematic analysis; satisfaction levels and delivery methods for each adverse physical effect were tabulated. <i>Results</i>. Major perceptions: (i) unaware of and unprepared for adverse physical effects, (ii) unsuitable information delivery, and (iii) insufficient follow-up from health professionals. Physical rehabilitation content focused on shoulder issues and lymphedema; less than half of respondents received any information about scars, torso, and donor site issues or physical discomfort disturbing sleep. The proportion that received each delivery method varied for each adverse physical effect. Pamphlets and verbal instruction were the most common delivery methods and sessions with health professionals where issues were physically assessed, checked, or progressed the least common. Satisfaction levels varied for each adverse physical effect; all were less than 50%. <i>Conclusion</i>. Women perceived their physical rehabilitation did not prepare them for the adverse physical effects they experienced, the method and timing of delivery did not meet their needs at various stages of recovery, and the follow-up was insufficient. Quantitative data on the content and delivery method support these perceptions. Explanations of why these perceptions occurred and recommendations to improve physical rehabilitation through greater use of patient-related outcome measures and spreading limited physical rehabilitation resources using a three-level model of care are recommended. Although many women recover from breast cancer, improved physical rehabilitation could enable women to manage any immediate or long-term side effects of their breast cancer surgery and treatment.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":1.8,"publicationDate":"2024-06-20","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/6612611","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141435620","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Quality of Life in Cervicofacial Nonmelanoma Skin Cancer: Assessment with the Skin Cancer Index","authors":"Evânia Curvelo Hora,&nbsp;Marcelo Prado de Carvalho,&nbsp;Débora Silva Pereira,&nbsp;Julia Santos de Almeida Barretto,&nbsp;Gabriel Guimarães Mellara,&nbsp;Mirelly Grace Ramos Cisneiros,&nbsp;Natália Araújo Barreto,&nbsp;Cassandra Luiza de Sá Silva,&nbsp;Carlos Anselmo Lima","doi":"10.1155/2024/5563734","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5563734","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p>This study aimed to evaluate the quality of life (QoL) of patients with cervicofacial nonmelanoma skin cancer (NMSC) using the Brazilian Portuguese-adapted and validated version of the skin cancer index (SCI). After collecting demographic and clinical data from 182 patients with cervicofacial NMSC, the Brazilian versions of the SCI and the Dermatological Life Quality Index (DLQI) were applied preoperatively (T0) and 4 months postoperatively (T1). Assessments were carried out using the Shapiro–Wilk test, Student’s <i>t</i>-test, Mann–Whitney test, Kruskal–Wallis test, and Spearman’s correlation. The QoL was evaluated using the Student’s <i>t</i>-test in paired samples at T0 and T1. Significant results were observed, with an increase in scores on the SCI scale in all its dimensions and a decrease in scores on the DLQI scale, demonstrating better postoperative QoL. The variables that presented significant results on the total scale, which indicated better QoL, were men, without children, income above four minimum wages, from the private sector, did not report pruritus, and scalp lesions. The QoL measurement indicated a change from the baseline and improvement after 4 months postoperatively in all subscales, indicating that surgical treatment increased the QoL of these patients from an emotional, social, and physical appearance point of view. The multivariate analysis produced several statistically significant findings in relation to emotional, social, appearance, and total scores.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-13","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/5563734","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141315503","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Therapeutic and Prophylactic Effects of Fulvic Acid on a Breast Cancer Model Established by MCF-7 Cell Line in SCID Mice","authors":"Osman Bilgin Gulcicek,&nbsp;Duygu Sultan Oran,&nbsp;Arzu Temizyurek,&nbsp;Erkan Yavuz,&nbsp;Hakan Yigitbas,&nbsp;Candas Ercetin,&nbsp;Ali Solmaz,&nbsp;Funda Yildirim,&nbsp;Kivilcim Sonmez,&nbsp;Atilla Celik","doi":"10.1155/2024/5871444","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1155/2024/5871444","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Introduction</i>. There is still minimal scientific understanding of effects of fulvic acid (FA) on breast cancer. We investigated the prophylactic, therapeutic, and combined effects of FA in a breast cancer model created using MCF-7 cell line in severe combined immunodeficiency disease (SCID) mice. <i>Results</i>. Four experimental groups were established as the control group (Group C), prophylaxis group (Group P), therapeutic group (Group T), and prophylaxis + therapeutic group (Group P + T). Tumor growth was observed by the in vivo imaging system and macroscopically in mammary glands of all mice (100%) of Group C, microscopically in only one mouse of Group P (12.5%), in four mice in Group T (50%), but only one animal (12.5%) in Group P + T. Immunohistochemistry (IHC) showed that p53 staining was significantly higher in tissues of Group C compared to other groups (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05). No difference was found in IHC scores for p53 between Group P and P + T (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05). Bcl-2 staining was significantly higher in Group C compared to Group P + T (<i>P</i> = 0.015) and higher in Group P + T compared to Group T (<i>P</i> = 0.021) but no significant difference was found between Group P and others (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05). Bax staining was significantly higher in Group C compared to others (<i>P</i> &lt; 0.05) but no significant difference was found between FA groups (<i>P</i> &gt; 0.05). <i>Conclusion</i>. Prophylactic FA treatment can prevent tumor formation by inducing variations in the expression of p53, BcL-2, and Bax proteins in mammary glands of SCID mice before tumor formation. This suggests that FA may be a powerful inhibitory candidate for the prevention of tumorigenesis in breast cancer.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-05","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/5871444","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141264630","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"How Do Patients Use Self-Care to Manage Nonspecific Symptoms Prior to a Cancer Diagnosis? A Rapid Review to Inform Future Interventions to Reduce Delays in Presentation to Primary Care","authors":"Georgia Wilson,&nbsp;Hannah R. Brewer,&nbsp;James M. Flanagan,&nbsp;Christian von Wagner,&nbsp;Yasemin Hirst","doi":"10.1155/2024/5580195","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/5580195","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Background</i>. A timely diagnosis of cancer is important for patient outcomes. The delay in the patient interval (time from symptom interpretation to seeking help) is often the longest throughout the cancer patient pathway. Factors extending this interval include vague symptom profiles increasing the difficulty of symptom appraisal and individual demographics influencing help-seeking behaviours. An underexplored and potential source of delay in cancer diagnosis is associated with managing symptoms using self-care activities prior to presentation to healthcare. <i>Methods</i>. This study aimed to characterise the use of self-care activities in the context of managing nonspecific symptoms, prior to cancer diagnosis and their effect on the length of the patient interval. Eligible publications were identified using a rapid systematic review, and their qualitative self-care data were extracted and analysed using thematic synthesis. <i>Results</i>. Forty-five qualitative research papers between 2009 and 2024 were included in the final review. Self-care was used as part of an iterative process, often resulting in delayed presentation to healthcare, if methods were effective in managing nonspecific symptoms. Across the literature, varying types of self-care activities were reported across all cancers with nonspecific symptoms, including the use of over-the-counter or alternative medications, lifestyle changes, and watchful waiting. The individual’s decision to self-care was either prompted externally by a healthcare professional (HCP) (e.g., community pharmacists) or prompted by the individual depending on the availability of home remedies and medication. Patients used self-care when there was a low perceived need to seek healthcare, to determine whether healthcare was required, or to avoid the use of healthcare. However, across the literature, there is limited evidence to understand the variation by cancer type, symptoms, and individual characteristics. <i>Conclusions</i>. The findings of this rapid review demonstrate that self-care activities could hinder prompt help-seeking and delay cancer diagnosis among people who are experiencing nonspecific cancer symptoms. However, more evidence is needed to understand which individual factors facilitate the adoption of self-care behaviours over prompt help-seeking for nonspecific cancer symptoms.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-06-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/5580195","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141228846","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}

{"title":"Patient-Reported Experiences of Supportive Cancer Care during the COVID-19 Pandemic","authors":"Claudia Canella,&nbsp;Matthias Naegele,&nbsp;Karin Ribi,&nbsp;Sara Colomer-Lahiguera,&nbsp;Stellio Giacomini,&nbsp;Kim Lê Van,&nbsp;Manuela Eicher,&nbsp;Claudia M. Witt","doi":"10.1155/2024/3829403","DOIUrl":"10.1155/2024/3829403","url":null,"abstract":"<div>\u0000 <p><i>Background</i>. During the COVID-19 pandemic, people affected by cancer were in need of information about the virus and about the (self-) management of cancer symptoms and treatment. It is important to understand how patients with cancer navigated through the pandemic and to explore their experience relating to their supportive care needs. <i>Aim</i>. This study aimed to describe the experience of Swiss oncological patients during the COVID-19 pandemic with additional supportive cancer care. <i>Methods</i>. A single-center study was conducted in 2021. Patients with melanoma, breast, lung, or colon cancer who received active systemic anticancer treatment at the time of the COVID-19 pandemic and who were additionally seeing either oncology clinical nurse specialists, integrative medicine physicians, or both were included. We conducted semistructured interviews alongside the patient-reported quantitative assessment of distress and resilience. Thematic analysis was performed for the qualitative data and descriptive statistics for the quantitative data. <i>Results</i>. Eighteen patients with cancer were interviewed. Patients seeing an integrative medicine physician highlighted that they positively felt being addressed as a whole person during the consultations. The oncology clinical nurse specialists were perceived as the first point of contact for the patients and had more time during the pandemic compared to what the patients normally received. In general, patients did not experience delays or disruptions in their cancer treatment. As immunosuppressed and fatigued patients with cancer, they felt supported by the restrictions and hygienic measures. Access to vaccination reassured patients against the risk of infection. These results were reflected in the quantitative data, as we found moderate distress levels (<i>M</i> = 4.1; SD = 2.5) and high resilience scores (<i>M</i> = 7.5; SD = 0.9) in this patient population. <i>Conclusion</i>. During the COVID-19 pandemic, patients with cancer felt particularly supported by integrative medicine and cancer nurse consultations. Secured resources for nursing consultations and integrative medicine services can help to address the supportive care needs of patients with cancer.</p>\u0000 </div>","PeriodicalId":11953,"journal":{"name":"European Journal of Cancer Care","volume":null,"pages":null},"PeriodicalIF":2.1,"publicationDate":"2024-05-18","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/epdf/10.1155/2024/3829403","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"141124853","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":4,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}