scholarly journals Disparities in access to mobile devices and e-health literacy among breast cancer survivors

Author(s):  
Zoe Moon ◽  
Mira Zuchowski ◽  
Rona Moss-Morris ◽  
Myra S. Hunter ◽  
Sam Norton ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The number of e-health interventions developed for breast cancer survivors continues to increase. However, issues with engagement and retention are common. This study aimed to explore e-health literacy rates and access to smartphones and tablets in a large sample of breast cancer survivors. Methods In study 1, women were recruited from outpatient breast clinics across England and Wales. Eligible women were asked to complete a questionnaire pack to assess their access to devices and their e-health literacy. Multiple regression analyses were run to assess the relationship between technology access and e-health literacy with sociodemographic variables such as age, social deprivation, and education. Study 2 presents a smaller sample recruited through social media who answered a questionnaire relating to use of mobile devices and e-health, and apps. Results Two thousand nine women participated in the study. Seventy-one percent had access to a smartphone, 54% had access to a tablet, and 20% did not have access to either device. Multiple logistic regressions showed that women who were younger, had higher levels of education, and who were from less deprived areas were more likely to have access to either device. Poorer e-health literacy was associated with being older, having less education, and not having access to a mobile device. Conclusions Whilst the results show relatively widespread access to mobile devices, there is evidence of a digital divide across some groups. Online interventions should be developed with consideration of individuals who are less e-health-literate and less technologically adept in order to increase the likelihood of engagement.

2021 ◽  
pp. 104365962098877
Author(s):  
Carolee Polek ◽  
Thomas Hardie ◽  
Janet A. Deatrick

Introduction Despite expanding interest in cancer survivorship, little is known about urban Asian breast cancer survivors whose experience may differ from those in suburban and rural locations. This study explores survivors’ challenges to maximize outcomes and identify common and unique themes among urban Asian survivors. Information was obtained from the survivors and outreach workers from their community. Methodology Descriptive qualitative methods including semistructured interview guides were used to plan, conduct, and analyze both individual interviews of Asian women ( n = 6) and a focus group ( n = 7) composed of community outreach workers. Results The interview and focus group findings, endorsed themes of communication/language, trust, and privacy, with generational differences. Poor health literacy in both survivors and providers was identified. Discussion Nurses are in a unique position to use the themes identified to both assist survivors expand their health literacy and lobby for resources for providers to promote culturally congruent care.


2011 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
pp. BCBCR.S6957 ◽  
Author(s):  
Michelle Ayala-Feliciano ◽  
Jaime J. Pons-Valerio ◽  
José Pons-Madera ◽  
Summer F. Acevedo

Background In the US there are over 2.5 million breast cancer survivors (BCSs), most of whom have required some type of intensive treatment. How individuals cope with the treatment process may relate to why neurocognitive problems arise. Method We explored the impact of treatment for breast cancer (BC) on performance of the Memory Island task, both on working memory and on the general index of cognitive performance in relation to coping strategies of BCSs compared to age-matched controls. Results The evidence obtained suggests a reduced performance in visuospatial memory in BCSs. Those who used emotional coping strategies displayed reduced performance in visuospatial learning and immediate memory. Those women who used problem-focused coping strategies performed better in those tasks measuring psychomotor speed, general intelligence, and delayed visuospatial memory. Conclusions It is concluded that further investigation of the relationship between coping strategies and performance on visuospatial tasks may provide useful information on residual levels of neurocognitive deficits and psychosocial adaptation in BCSs.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 246-246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Oxana Palesh ◽  
M. Melissa Packer ◽  
Holly George ◽  
Cheryl Koopman ◽  
Pasquale F. Innominato

246 Background: Emerging evidence suggests that circadian disruption is associated with cancer and cancer treatments. Chronotype is defined as a behaviorally manifested preference for a certain timing of sleep and activity. Previous studies have revealed that living out of sync from one’s innate chronotype can have detrimental effects on one’s health. Although there has been research examining the associations between chronotype and health, not much is known about the relationship between chronotype, fatigue, and QOL in cancer survivors. Methods: 68 Breast cancer survivors completed questionnaires to assess their chronotype (Horne-Ostberg), to rate their fatigue (MDASI), and to evaluate their QOL (FACIT). The Horne-Ostberg questionnaire yields a range of values indicating survivors’ preference for early or late activity. The study sample was divided by terciles according to survivors’ “morningness” or “eveningness” preferences (i.e., chronotypes). Results: Morning chronotype was associated with significantly less severe tiredness and drowsiness as well as significantly better physical well-being and fatigue subscale scores as compared to evening chronotype. Tiredness median (M) scores were highest for evening chronotype (M=5.5), moderate for mid-range chronotype (M=4.5), and lowest for morning chronotype (M=3.0), a significant difference (p=0.046). Drowsiness scores were highest for evening chronotype (median=6.0), moderate for mid-range chronotype (M=4.0), and lowest for morning chronotype (M=3.0), p=0.046. The median score for physical well-being was significantly lower for evening compared to morning chronotypes (22.5 vs. 25.0, p=0.038) and morning types reported significantly better health in respect to fatigue compared to evening types (40.5 vs. 35.5, p=0.045). Conclusions: Survivors with early chronotype (early to bed, early to rise) reported less fatigue, drowsiness, and better overall physical well-being. While chronotype is believed to be genetically driven, certain behavioral, pharmacological, and bright light modifications can be used to help patients shift their circadian rhythm towards earlier morning type and may experience improvements in physical well-being.


Health ◽  
2013 ◽  
Vol 05 (04) ◽  
pp. 811-816
Author(s):  
H. W. Yong ◽  
H. Zailina ◽  
J. O. Zubaidah ◽  
M. Saidi ◽  
H. Y. Yong ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 ◽  
Author(s):  
Malwina Tuman ◽  
Kailey E. Roberts ◽  
Geoffrey Corner ◽  
Courtney Beard ◽  
Carol Fadalla ◽  
...  

Introduction: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a prevalent and persistent challenge that many cancer survivors endure. While the role of interpretation bias, a tendency to perceive ambiguous situations as threatening, has been established in the onset and maintenance of FCR, few studies have examined cancer-related interpretation bias specifically. Grounded in the cognitive formulation of FCR, the current study aimed to fill this gap by investigating the relationship between cancer-related interpretation bias, FCR, and somatic symptoms, and examining whether bias mediates the relationship between somatic symptoms and FCR.Materials and Methods: This study used baseline data from a randomized controlled trial of a cognitive bias modification intervention. Breast cancer survivors (n = 110) provided demographic and medical background information as well as self-report measures of FCR and severity of somatic symptoms. A computer-based assessment of interpretation bias was used to measure cancer-related interpretation bias on several bias indices: percentage of cancer-related threat endorsement, and percentage of benign endorsement; mean reaction time (RT) for threat, and mean RT for benign endorsement.Results: Higher threat endorsement was linked to higher Overall Fear and emerged as a mediator of the relationship between overall somatic symptoms and Overall Fear. We also found that older age was related to longer benign endorsement RT.Conclusion: This study contributes understanding of factors related to cancer-related interpretation bias and provides evidence that bias may influence the relationship between somatic symptoms and FCR in cancer survivors.


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