{"title":"What Decisions Matter to Women Facing a Breast Cancer Diagnosis? A Case Study From the Global South on Treatment Shared Decision-Making and the Management of Distress.","authors":"Loreto Fernández-González, Constanza Quezada, Valentina Turén, Paulina Bravo","doi":"10.1002/pon.70138","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70138","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer deaths among Chilean women. BC treatment is guaranteed by Chilean law through the Explicit Health Guarantees (GES) plan. There is insufficient evidence on how women navigate the healthcare system and how they exercise shared decision-making (SDM) following a BC diagnosis in global South scenarios.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To understand how women make decisions about BC treatment.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A qualitative study based on 29 individual, semi-structured, in-depth interviews with women undergoing BC treatment in three hospitals in Santiago. Recruitment took place from November 2022 until July 2023. Thematic analysis was performed with AtlasTi.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The experience that care is not happening quickly enough organizes the trajectory of BC patients under the major, in vivo theme of \"Everything is slow.\" Managing this wait mobilizes women through clinical milestones, configuring high or low participation scenarios. Scenarios of high participation comprised decisions mostly regarding practical issues, financial and insurance decisions and whatever actions could be taken to shorten waiting times. Scenarios of low-experienced participation coincided with clinical encounters with health professionals, with treatment decisions delegated to or exclusively made by clinicians.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>BC is experienced as a distressing diagnosis. Women prioritize decisions that they perceive will speed up their care and do not effectively participate in treatment decision-making. This study is part of a larger mixed-methods project that aims to elucidate factors influencing SDM in BC. Future directions should provide strategies to patients and clinicians to build more symmetrical relationships and evaluate the satisfaction with care of universal coverage-oriented policies, as well as how this could influence the exercise of patients' autonomy.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 4","pages":"e70138"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143743466","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Cheryl Harris, Lauriane Giguère, Alanna Chu, Jani Lamarche, Tori Langmuir, Kerry Menelas, Nicole Rutkowski, Ghizlène Sehabi, Sophie Lebel
{"title":"Living Well With Uncertainty in Advanced, Metastatic or Incurable Cancers: A Pragmatic Feasibility Study of the Adapting to Life With Cancer Cognitive ExisteNtial Therapy (ACCENT).","authors":"Cheryl Harris, Lauriane Giguère, Alanna Chu, Jani Lamarche, Tori Langmuir, Kerry Menelas, Nicole Rutkowski, Ghizlène Sehabi, Sophie Lebel","doi":"10.1002/pon.70140","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70140","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>New treatments are contributing to individuals living longer with advanced, metastatic, or incurable (AMI) cancers. The impact of these treatments is unpredictable, resulting in considerable uncertainty for these patients. Currently, there are no interventions that effectively address uncertainty in AMI cancers. To fill this gap, we designed the Adapting to life with Cancer Cognitive ExisteNtial Therapy (ACCENT) intervention.</p><p><strong>Aim: </strong>To evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and preliminary efficacy of ACCENT in AMI cancers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>ACCENT was delivered online for 6 consecutive weekly sessions of 1.5 hours to five groups of six to seven patients. Thirty-two patients were interested in participating, but 2 did not complete the assessments pre- or post-intervention. A pragmatic feasibility study was conducted using data collected in routine clinical practice. Participants completed the Intolerance of Uncertainty Scale-Short Form, the Generalized Anxiety Disorder scale, and the Impact of Events Scale before and after the intervention. Post-intervention, participants answered open-ended questions to assess acceptability, rated their perceptions of improvement and usefulness, and completed the Satisfaction with Therapy and Therapist Scale.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>ACCENT appears feasible with participants completing the intervention and all assessments between January 2022 and November 2023. It appears acceptable with an attrition rate of 12.5%, and a high degree of attendance and satisfaction. There was a non-significant decrease in intolerance of uncertainty, and a significant decrease in anxiety, and cancer-specific distress post-intervention.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>A randomized controlled pilot study is warranted to further evaluate ACCENT in patients with AMI cancers.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 4","pages":"e70140"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-04-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11953013/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143743464","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jiao Yang, Yuanxiao Wang, Nan Shen, Ruojia Wu, Yu Xing, Xiaomin Sun, Xudong Xiang, Yanqiu Zhao, Jie Zhou, Qianrong Yang, Hailiang Ran
{"title":"Sensory Processing Sensitivity and Quality of Life Among Cancer Patients and Their Family Caregivers: An Actor-Partner Interdependence Model Analysis.","authors":"Jiao Yang, Yuanxiao Wang, Nan Shen, Ruojia Wu, Yu Xing, Xiaomin Sun, Xudong Xiang, Yanqiu Zhao, Jie Zhou, Qianrong Yang, Hailiang Ran","doi":"10.1002/pon.70121","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70121","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Studies report a negative impact of sensory processing sensitivity (SPS) on health outcomes, but evidence from patient-caregiver dyads is scarce. This study aimed to simultaneously examine the independent and interdependent impact of SPS on quality of life (QoL) among cancer patients and their family caregivers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>In this two-stage random sampling cross-sectional study, we conducted a dyadic analysis of data collected from cancer patients and their family caregivers in southwest China. QoL was assessed using the World Health Organization Quality of Life-Brief (WHOQOL-BREF) instrument, and SPS was evaluated using the 10-item Chinese Highly Sensitive Child Scale (CHSC). The actor-partner interdependence model (APIM) was used to examine whether SPS of patients and caregivers was associated with their own and their partner's QoL.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of the 733 dyads included in the analysis, patients' SPS and QoL were significantly correlated with their caregivers' SPS and QoL. The APIM identified significant actor effects, including a negative association between SPS and physical, psychological, social, and environmental QoL in both patients and caregivers. Additionally, caregivers' SPS was negatively associated with patients' psychological (β = -0.12, p < 0.01), social (β = -0.09, p < 0.05), and environmental (β = -0.1, p < 0.01) QoL.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>The findings emphasize the need for early identification and targeted interventions to support highly sensitive individuals within the cancer care setting. Future research should explore the effectiveness of such interventions in enhancing QoL outcomes.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70121"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143582360","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Ayşegül Efe, Yusuf Selman Çelik, Meryem Kaşak, Şeyma Selcen Macit, Zehra Betül Özdemir, Sidre Nur Karakolcu, Elif Nur Şen, Gülce Solcan, Sibel Maraz, Ahmet Furkan Kaya, Vuslat Sena Yavuz Kaynak, Ülkü Beyza Gökmen, Dilanur Cınbırtoğlu, Reyyan Nazlıgül, Muhammed Coşkun, Berkay Şahin, Yusuf Öztürk
{"title":"Psycho-Oncological Issues in a Pediatric Sample: Two Years Follow-Up Data of Consultation Liaison Psychiatry.","authors":"Ayşegül Efe, Yusuf Selman Çelik, Meryem Kaşak, Şeyma Selcen Macit, Zehra Betül Özdemir, Sidre Nur Karakolcu, Elif Nur Şen, Gülce Solcan, Sibel Maraz, Ahmet Furkan Kaya, Vuslat Sena Yavuz Kaynak, Ülkü Beyza Gökmen, Dilanur Cınbırtoğlu, Reyyan Nazlıgül, Muhammed Coşkun, Berkay Şahin, Yusuf Öztürk","doi":"10.1002/pon.70112","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70112","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Pediatric oncology patients encounter substantial psychosocial and psychiatric challenges alongside physical illness and treatment burdens. Consultation-Liaison Psychiatry (CLP) is critical for addressing these young patients' mental health needs within a broader healthcare framework. Socioeconomic disparities, family dynamics, and educational interruptions further complicate the psychiatric landscape in pediatric oncology.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>This study aims to explore the sociodemographic and psychiatric profiles of pediatric oncology patients referred to CLP services.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A retrospective cross-sectional study was conducted on 97 pediatric oncology patients who received CLP consultations over two years. Data included sociodemographic details, clinical history, and psychiatric diagnoses based on structured clinical interviews. Statistical analyses, including multivariate logistic regression, examined relationships between psychiatric outcomes and variables such as SES, educational status, and clinical factors.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The sample was predominantly of low SES (72.2%), with depression, adjustment disorders, and sleep disorders frequently observed. Patients unable to continue formal education due to their oncological disease and treatment process showed higher rates of depression. Significant associations emerged between psychopathology and factors such as lower SES, older parental age, and steroid use, although the predictive strength was modest. Most psychiatric consultations occurred due to observed psychiatric complaints rather than proactive psychosocial support, highlighting a reactive rather than preventive approach in CLP practice.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Findings highlight the importance of early, structured psychiatric intervention and a proactive CLP approach to mitigate the psychiatric impact on pediatric oncology patients. Addressing SES-based disparities and supporting educational continuity are essential for holistic pediatric cancer care.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70112"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11864917/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143516519","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Jing Han, Hong Song, Linlin Wang, Liuna Bi, Feng Yang
{"title":"The Effects of Biofeedback Intervention on Negative Emotions and Sleep Quality in Children With Leukemia Receiving Invasive Procedures and Their Caregivers: A Randomized Controlled Trial.","authors":"Jing Han, Hong Song, Linlin Wang, Liuna Bi, Feng Yang","doi":"10.1002/pon.70134","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70134","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>Children with leukemia and their caregivers have negative experiences such as pain, fear, and sleep disturbances when receiving invasive procedures. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the effects of a biofeedback intervention on negative emotions and sleep quality for children with leukemia receiving invasive procedures and their caregivers.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A randomized controlled study involving 80 child-caregiver dyads was conducted, and dyads were randomly assigned to intervention (n = 40) and control (n = 40) groups. Both groups received health education, while the intervention group additionally received a 4-unit biofeedback intervention. Outcome measures compared at baseline (T0), post-intervention (T1), and 4-week follow-up (T2), included validated measures of pain, fear, worry, sleep quality in children, and anxiety, depression, and sleep quality in caregivers.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>At T1 and T2, the scores of children's pain and fear in the intervention group were significantly lower than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). The significant group effects on children's pain (F = 6.064, p = 0.015) and fear (F = 15.532, p < 0.001) indicated that the intervention group had significantly lower scores in pain and fear compared to the control group. At T1 and T2, caregivers in the intervention group had significantly lower anxiety scores and significantly higher sleep quality than those in the control group (all p < 0.05). The significant group effects on anxiety (F = 10.124, p = 0.002) and sleep quality (F = 5.983, p = 0.015) suggested that the intervention group had significantly lower scores in anxiety and higher sleep quality in comparison to the control group.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>The biofeedback intervention demonstrated significant efficacy in alleviating the pain, and fear experienced by children with leukemia during invasive procedures, concurrently relieving their caregivers' anxiety and improving sleep quality. This research furnishes compelling evidence substantiating the effectiveness of biofeedback interventions in alleviating negative emotions in children with leukemia undergoing invasive treatments, as well as in their caregivers.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>ChiCTR2300075306.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70134"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143650337","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Elise Van Laere, Janne Vanderhaegen, Sofie Prikken, Jurgen Lemiere, Anne Uyttebroeck, Koen Luyckx
{"title":"Longitudinal Dyadic Associations in Benefit Finding and in Fear of Cancer Recurrence Between Childhood Cancer Survivors and Their Parents: Examining Actor and Partner Effects.","authors":"Elise Van Laere, Janne Vanderhaegen, Sofie Prikken, Jurgen Lemiere, Anne Uyttebroeck, Koen Luyckx","doi":"10.1002/pon.70113","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70113","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background and aim: </strong>Childhood cancer survivors and their parents report both positive and negative psychological late effects, such as fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) and benefit finding. The current study investigated longitudinal dyadic associations among childhood cancer survivors, their mothers, and fathers in benefit finding and FCR to obtain an in-depth understanding of family functioning after pediatric cancer.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>This three-wave longitudinal study (covering 2 years) included survivors (aged 14-24, time since diagnosis 2-22 years at T1) and their parents; all reported on benefit finding and FCR. Reciprocal effects in three dyads were examined: (1) survivor-mother dyad (n = 114 at T1), (2) survivor-father dyad (n = 82 at T1), and (3) mother-father dyad (n = 80 at T1). Cross-lagged panel models examined actor and partner effects across time for benefit finding and FCR separately.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Actor effects were significant in all models. Dyadic partner effects were found between parents. First, mothers' benefit finding predicted relative increases in fathers' benefit finding across both time intervals. Second, mothers' FCR predicted relative increases in fathers' FCR from T1 to T2, and fathers' FCR predicted relative increases in mothers' FCR from T2 to T3. Moreover, significant correlated changes were found between parents' FCR at T2 and T3.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>Results support substantial actor effects and some dyadic partner effects between parents in experiencing psychological late effects. To improve survivorship care for families, psychological late effects of each family member and their interplay between members-especially among parents-needs to be taken into account, both in research and clinical practice.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70113"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143634416","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Paige K Malinowski, Cristina Pozo-Kaderman, Anna C Muriel, Joan Hanania, William F Pirl, Anna Dorste, Chloe Rotman, Greta Jankauskaite, Eileen K Joyce, Sue E Morris
{"title":"Interventions for Children of Parents With Cancer From the Time of Cancer Diagnosis Through Bereavement: Two Systematic Reviews.","authors":"Paige K Malinowski, Cristina Pozo-Kaderman, Anna C Muriel, Joan Hanania, William F Pirl, Anna Dorste, Chloe Rotman, Greta Jankauskaite, Eileen K Joyce, Sue E Morris","doi":"10.1002/pon.70105","DOIUrl":"https://doi.org/10.1002/pon.70105","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>While there has been increasing attention on caring for children following a parent's cancer diagnosis or death, few studies include scalable evidence-based interventions to facilitate adjustment. The aim of this review was to summarize recent empirical studies that included interventions for minor children (0-18 years) with clear pre- and post-assessments of the child's psychological functioning from the time a parent is diagnosed with cancer through bereavement.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Two separate systematic reviews were conducted for interventions during either a parent's illness or bereavement. We searched Ovid Medline, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Sociological Abstracts, and Social Services Abstracts for articles published in 2015 and beyond.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>For the first review, 113 articles were reviewed at the full-text level. Of those, 11 met study inclusion criteria. All were published between 2015-2023 and the sample size ranged from 16-176, including 534 children in total, aged 4-18 years. Thirteen validated measures were used. For the second review, 49 articles were reviewed at the full text level, and only one met criteria. This study, published in 2023, included 20 children aged 7-12 years. Two validated measures were used. Quality assessment indicated a generally low risk of bias and high methodological quality for both reviews.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Evidence-based interventions for minor children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer or who are bereaved during childhood are limited. To standardize and move the field forward, we propose a model to guide the development of interventions for children whose parents have been diagnosed with cancer through bereavement.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70105"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143625092","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Meghan McDarby, Emily Mroz, Leah E Walsh, Charlotte Malling, Marina Chilov, William E Rosa, Amanda Kastrinos, Kelly M McConnell, Patricia A Parker
{"title":"Communication Interventions Targeting Both Patients and Clinicians in Oncology: A Systematic Review of Randomized Controlled Trials.","authors":"Meghan McDarby, Emily Mroz, Leah E Walsh, Charlotte Malling, Marina Chilov, William E Rosa, Amanda Kastrinos, Kelly M McConnell, Patricia A Parker","doi":"10.1002/pon.70108","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70108","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>High quality communication between individuals with cancer and their clinicians is a cornerstone of patient-centered oncology practice. Many communication skills training interventions have been evaluated to support either oncology clinicians or patients. However, there is little information regarding the scope and efficacy of combined communication interventions in oncology, or communication interventions targeting both patients and clinicians.</p><p><strong>Aims: </strong>To systematically examine randomized controlled trials of combined communication interventions in oncology settings.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>Four databases (Pubmed, Embase, PsycINFO, and Cochrane Central Register of Controlled Trials) were searched using strategies developed by an expert librarian. All years were searched through May 2024. We followed PRISMA guidelines for reporting and used the Risk of Bias 2.0 assessment tool.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The search yielded 3983 records. We assessed 52 full text articles, 13 of which were eligible (8 describing cluster randomized controlled trials, 5 describing individual randomized controlled trials). Results indicate that combined communication interventions may increase patient-centered communication in oncology settings but may be less effective in improving patient care and related outcomes.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Combined communication interventions in oncology settings and the outcomes measured to evaluate them are heterogeneous. This makes it difficult to determine the efficacy of combined communication interventions, the mechanisms by which these interventions improve patient-clinician communication as well as patient care and related outcomes, and which outcomes are most likely to be improved. Future work should clarify key targets of change for combined communication interventions and outcomes expected to be associated with patient-focused and clinician-focused intervention components.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70108"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143516515","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Motolani E Ogunsanya, Jessica Saintibert, Opeyemi O Bolajoko, Danetta Hooks, Shari Clifton, Folakemi T Odedina
{"title":"Mapping Behavioral Research in Post-Treatment Cancer Care in Sub-Saharan Africa: A Scoping Review.","authors":"Motolani E Ogunsanya, Jessica Saintibert, Opeyemi O Bolajoko, Danetta Hooks, Shari Clifton, Folakemi T Odedina","doi":"10.1002/pon.70106","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70106","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Objective: </strong>This scoping review explores the multifaceted experience of cancer survivorship in Sub-Saharan Africa (SSA), with a focus on the post-treatment phase. The primary objective is to examine the psychosocial, cultural, and economic factors that influence post-treatment survivorship care and outcomes.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>A comprehensive literature review was conducted using databases such as Web of Science Core Collection to identify studies published between 2000 and 2023. Eligible studies focused on post-treatment cancer survivorship in SSA. Data were extracted, analyzed, and synthesized to identify key themes and research gaps.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>The review identified substantial psychological distress among survivors, including depression, anxiety, and insomnia, often exacerbated by financial toxicity and limited access to psychosocial support services. Cultural factors, such as spiritual beliefs, reliance on traditional healers, and cancer-related stigma, influenced healthcare-seeking behaviors and overall well-being. Despite these challenges, social support networks, religiosity, and targeted psychosocial interventions improved emotional resilience and quality of life. However, major gaps remain, including insufficient integration of cultural beliefs into survivorship care, inadequate long-term follow-up (LTFU) programs, limited oncofertility support, and a lack of regionally diverse and longitudinal data.</p><p><strong>Conclusions: </strong>Cancer survivorship in SSA is shaped by intricate psychosocial, cultural, and economic dynamics that extend beyond clinical care. Addressing these challenges requires culturally sensitive, evidence-based interventions, including financial counseling, spiritual care integration, and the establishment of structured LTFU programs. Additionally, expanding access to oncofertility support and integrating culturally relevant psychosocial services can further enhance survivorship outcomes. Strengthening collaboration between policymakers, healthcare providers, and researchers-through interdisciplinary task forces, psycho-oncology workforce development, and community-driven initiatives-is essential for improving post-treatment outcomes and advancing cancer survivorship care in SSA.</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70106"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11902885/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143531859","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}
Camilla S Rothausen, Karin B Dieperink, Christina H Ruhlmann, Helle Pappot, Lærke K Tolstrup
{"title":"Patient and Caregiver Education to Support Self-Efficacy and Self-Management During Immunotherapy-An Integrative Review.","authors":"Camilla S Rothausen, Karin B Dieperink, Christina H Ruhlmann, Helle Pappot, Lærke K Tolstrup","doi":"10.1002/pon.70100","DOIUrl":"10.1002/pon.70100","url":null,"abstract":"<p><strong>Background: </strong>Immune checkpoint inhibitors (ICI) have improved cancer treatment, but this treatment can lead to immune-related adverse events (irAEs). Effective patient and caregiver education is essential to better management of irAEs and improved treatment outcomes.</p><p><strong>Objective: </strong>This integrative review aimed to elucidate how patient education on ICI efficacy and toxicity management affects patients with cancer and their family caregivers' self-efficacy and self-management when dealing with irAEs.</p><p><strong>Methods: </strong>An integrative review was conducted. EMBASE, MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Scopus were searched for original research articles. Studies on educational interventions related to ICI and how it affects self-efficacy and self-management of irAEs were included. Data were analyzed using thematic analysis.</p><p><strong>Results: </strong>Of 4182 references screened; seven studies were included. Three themes emerged: (a) Feasibility of various strategies in patient education, (b) The effect of patient education on self-efficacy, and (c) Determinants to improve self-management of irAEs.</p><p><strong>Conclusion: </strong>While traditional patient education methods (oral and/or written information) remain valuable, integrating digital technologies is promising to enhance understanding of ICI. Patient education, especially when combined with follow-up, can improve health-related quality of life and self-efficacy. However, health literacy plays a critical role in treatment and management of irAEs, emphasizing the need for personalized education approaches.</p><p><strong>Trial registration: </strong>The protocol is registered with PROSPERO (No. CRD42024511513).</p>","PeriodicalId":20779,"journal":{"name":"Psycho‐Oncology","volume":"34 3","pages":"e70100"},"PeriodicalIF":3.3,"publicationDate":"2025-03-01","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11865008/pdf/","citationCount":null,"resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":"143516517","PeriodicalName":null,"FirstCategoryId":null,"ListUrlMain":null,"RegionNum":2,"RegionCategory":"医学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":"OA","EPubDate":null,"PubModel":null,"JCR":null,"JCRName":null,"Score":null,"Total":0}