Social and sexual health of thyroid cancer survivors 2 and 5 years after diagnosis: the VICAN survey

Background: Health-related quality of life (HRQoL) is important for differentiated thyroid cancer survivors, but data for Asian survivors is lacking. This study aimed to have an overview of, and identify any disease-or treatment-related factors associated with, HRQoL in Asian differentiated thyroid cancer survivors. Patients and Methods: Thyroid cancer survivors were recruited from the thyroid clinics at Queen Mary Hospital, Hong Kong from February 2016 to December 2016. All adult differentiated thyroid cancer patients with stable disease more than or equal to 1 year received a survey on HRQoL using the European Organization for the Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30) and Thyroid cancer specific quality of life (THYCA-QoL) questionnaire. Clinical information was collected retrospectively from the computerized clinical management system. To identify factors associated with poor HRQoL, univariable and stepwise multivariable regression analysis were performed. Results: A total of 613 survivors completed the questionnaires (response rate: 82.1%; female: 80.1%; median survivorship: 7.4 years (range: 1.0-48.2 years)). The QLQ-C30 summary score mean was 84.4 (standard deviation (SD): 12.7) while the THYCA-QoL summary score mean was 39.9 (SD: 9.7). The 2 highest symptom subscales were fatigue (mean: 26.4, SD: 20.6) and insomnia (mean: 26.2, SD: 27.6). Factors associated with worse HRQoL included serum thyrotropin (TSH) greater than 1.0 mIU/L, unemployment, and concomitant psychiatric disorders. Concomitant psychiatric illness (n = 40/613, 6.5%) also showed significant association with most of the symptom and functional subscales. Conclusions: Fatigue and insomnia were the 2 most common symptoms experienced by our differentiated thyroid cancer survivors. Long-term survivorship care with monitoring serum TSH level, supporting return-to-work and screening for concomitant psychiatric disorders should be offered.

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Sexual Health: A Nursing Approach to Supporting the Needs of Young Adult Cancer Survivors

Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing ◽

10.1188/21.cjon.501-506 ◽

2021 ◽

Vol 25 (5) ◽

pp. 501-506

Author(s):

Marloe Esch

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Young Adult Cancer Survivors ◽

Adult Cancer Survivors ◽

Young Adult Cancer

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Invisibility and intersectionality: Understanding and including sexual health needs of sexual and gender minority cancer survivors

Gynecologic Oncology ◽

10.1016/j.ygyno.2021.10.059 ◽

2022 ◽

Vol 164 (1) ◽

pp. 6

Author(s):

Stephanie Rieder ◽

Ellen Burgess ◽

Shoshana Adler Jaffe ◽

Ariel Hurwitz ◽

Miria Kano

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Health Needs ◽

Gender Minority ◽

Sexual And Gender Minority ◽

And Gender

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Adaptation and feasibility of a multimodal mindfulness-based intervention to promote sexual health in cancer survivorship

Translational Behavioral Medicine ◽

10.1093/tbm/ibab083 ◽

2021 ◽

Author(s):

Jessica R Gorman ◽

Julia H Drizin ◽

Fatima A Al-Ghadban ◽

Katharine A Rendle

Keyword(s):

Sexual Health ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Healthcare Providers ◽

Community Setting ◽

Key Informant ◽

Initial Intervention ◽

Implementation And Dissemination ◽

Quantitative Results ◽

After Cancer ◽

Female Cancer Survivors

Abstract Sexual health concerns after cancer are common and distressing, and mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) are effective in supporting women experiencing these concerns. The goals of this study were to: (i) systematically adapt and document modifications to a mindfulness-based sexual health intervention for cancer survivors in a community setting and (ii) assess feasibility, appropriateness, and acceptability, and to identify strategies to increase reach for future implementation and dissemination. Following the ADAPT-ITT model, we first conducted key informant interviews with 10 female cancer survivors and four healthcare providers to obtain feedback on perceived need and feasibility of the intervention approach, and preferences for content, structure, and delivery format. This feedback informed initial intervention adaptations, which we then pretested with five female cancer survivors. We tracked and coded intervention adaptations. Key informant cancer survivors and providers confirmed the lack of sexual health services, acceptability of a sexual health MBI, and identified initial adaptations including modifying the intervention for delivery in a community, rather than clinical, setting. Pretest participants (aged 48–57) were survivors of breast (n = 4) and cervical (n = 1) cancer. All participants completed the intervention attending an average of 7.2 of 8 weekly sessions. Qualitative and quantitative results suggest the intervention was feasible, appropriate and acceptable. Engaging stakeholders in the adaptation process is essential for creating a feasible, appropriate, and acceptable intervention. Tracking intervention modifications contributes to our overall understanding of how MBIs can be adapted for new populations and contexts.

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Filling the gaps in knowledge and treatments for sexual health in young adult male cancer survivors

Cancer ◽

10.1002/cncr.29988 ◽

2016 ◽

Vol 122 (14) ◽

pp. 2134-2137 ◽

Cited By ~ 5

Author(s):

Karen L. Syrjala

Keyword(s):

Young Adult ◽

Sexual Health ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Adult Male ◽

Young Adult Male

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SUN-416 Fatigue and Quality of Life Among Thyroid Cancer Survivors

Journal of the Endocrine Society ◽

10.1210/jendso/bvaa046.1830 ◽

2020 ◽

Vol 4 (Supplement_1) ◽

Author(s):

Maki Yukari

Keyword(s):

Quality Of Life ◽

Thyroid Cancer ◽

Papillary Thyroid Carcinoma ◽

Thyroid Carcinoma ◽

Cancer Survivors ◽

Papillary Thyroid ◽

Explanatory Variables ◽

Initial Surgery ◽

Sf 36

Abstract BACKGROUND Fatigue among thyroid cancer survivors is an important issue that needs to be appreciated and managed appropriately. Although several studies have reported potential factors that might be related to postoperative fatigue, the associations have yet to be inconclusive. The purpose of the present study was to estimate the prevalence of clinical fatigue in patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma and to reveal predictive factors, including their quality of life. METHODS A cross-sectional survey was conducted on patients with papillary thyroid carcinoma. Patients who underwent non-curative surgery, or those with recurrent or metastatic PTC, or those with other malignancies were excluded. The primary outcome was fatigue measured by the Cancer Fatigue Scale (CFS), and the secondary outcome was quality of life (QoL) quantified using the SF-36 v2. The following explanatory variables were collected; gender, age, employment status, marital status, co-morbidities, time since initial surgery, types of surgery, replacement of thyroid hormone, use of radioactive iodine, and the level of thyrotropin. The prevalence of clinical fatigue was estimated with the cut-off value of 18/19 of the CFS score. Correlations between the CFS score and the explanatory variables were examined using uni-variable analyses as well as multi-variable analysis. RESULTS Three hundred twenty-one patients participated in the survey. Of them, 258 respondents (80%) were female. The median age was 58 years, and the median time from initial surgery was 6.4 years. The mean and the standard deviation of the CFS score were 17.9 and 9.3, respectively (range: 0-48). The prevalence of clinical fatigue was 42% [95%CI: 36-47%]. Among the variables explored, having a job and scores of the mental component summary, the physical component summary, and the role/social component summary of the SF-36 were inversely associated with the CFS score in both uni- and multivariable analyses. CONCLUSION Postoperative fatigue was common in thyroid cancer survivors. Patients with a job and better QoL, in particular, those with good mental health, maybe at low-risk of developing the burden.

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