scholarly journals The Quintessence of Traditional Chinese Medicine: Syndrome and Its Distribution among Advanced Cancer Patients with Constipation

2012 ◽  
Vol 2012 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chung-Wah Cheng ◽  
Annie O. L. Kwok ◽  
Zhao-Xiang Bian ◽  
Doris M. W. Tse
Keyword(s):  
Chinese Medicine ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Traditional Chinese Medicine Syndrome ◽  
Blood Haemoglobin ◽  
Tcm Syndrome

Constipation is a common problem in advanced cancer patients; however, specific clinical guidelines on traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) syndrome (Zhang) are not yet available. In this cross-sectional study, the TCM syndromes distribution and their common symptoms and signs among 225 constipated advanced cancer patients were determined. Results showed that 127 patients (56.4%) and 7 patients (3.1%) were in deficient and excessive patterns, respectively, while 91 patients (40.4%) were in deficiency-excess complex. The distributions of the five syndromes were:Qideficiency (93.3%),Qistagnation (40.0%), blood (Yin) deficiency (28.9%), Yang deficiency (22.2%), and excess heat (5.8%). Furthermore, age, functional status, and level of blood haemoglobin were factors related to the type of TCM syndrome. A TCM prescription with the functions on replenishing the Deficiency, redirecting the flow ofQistagnation and moistening the dryness caused by the blood (Yin) deficiency can be made for the treatment of advance cancer patients with constipation. Robust trials are urgently needed for further justifying its efficacy and safety in evidence-based approaches.

scholarly journals The prevalence of perceived stigma and self-blame and their associations with depression, emotional well-being and social well-being among advanced cancer patients: evidence from the APPROACH cross-sectional study in Vietnam

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Nguyen Tuong Pham ◽  
Jia Jia Lee ◽  
Nhu Hiep Pham ◽  
Thi Do Quyen Phan ◽  
Khoa Tran ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Depressive Symptoms ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Perceived Stigma ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Self Blame

Abstract Background There is very limited evidence on the existence of cancer-related perceived stigma and self-blame among patients with advanced cancer in Asia, and how they are associated with psychosocial outcomes. This study aimed to address the gap in the current literature by (1) assessing perceived stigma, behavioural self-blame and characterological self-blame among Vietnamese patients with advanced cancer, and (2) investigating the associations of perceived stigma and self-blame (behavioural and characterological) with depression, emotional well-being and social well-being. Methods This cross-sectional study involved 200 Vietnamese patients with stage IV solid cancer. Depression was measured using the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Depression (CES-D) Scale. Emotional well-being and social well-being were measured with the relevant domains of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) scale. Perceived stigma was assessed using the sense of stigma subscale of Kissane’s Shame and Stigma Scale. Behavioural self-blame and characterological self-blame were measured by the patients’ answers to the questions on whether their cancer was due to patient’s behaviour or character. Multivariable linear regressions were used to investigate the associations while controlling for patient characteristics. Results Approximately three-fourths (79.0%, n = 158) of the participants reported perceived stigma with an average score of 20.5 ± 18.0 (out of 100). More than half of the participants reported behavioural self-blame (56.3%, n = 112) or characterological self-blame (62.3%, n = 124). Higher perceived stigma was associated with lower emotional well-being (ß = -0.0; p = 0.024). Behavioural self-blame was not significantly associated with depressive symptoms, emotional well-being or social well-being. Patients who reported characterological self-blame reported greater depressive symptoms (ß = 3.0; p = 0.020) and lower emotional well-being (ß = -1.6; p = 0.038). Conclusion Perceived stigma and self-blame were common amongst Vietnamese advanced cancer patients. Perceived stigma was associated with lower emotional well-being while characterological self-blame were associated with greater depressive symptoms and lower emotional well-being. Interventions should address perceived stigma and self-blame among this population.

Advanced gastrointestinal cancer patients' perceptions of prognosis and goals of treatment.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6106-6106
Author(s):  
Areej El-Jawahri ◽  
Lara Traeger ◽  
Elyse R. Park ◽  
Joseph A. Greer ◽  
William F. Pirl ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
End Of Life Care ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Life Care ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Gi Cancers

6106 Background: Patients with advanced cancer require accurate perception of their illness in order to make informed decisions regarding their care. However, little is known about the accuracy of these patients’ illness and prognostic understanding. The objectives of this study are to 1) examine prognostic understanding in patients with advanced gastrointestinal (GI) cancers, 2) assess patient preferences for prognostic information, and 3) explore associations of perceptions with quality of life (QOL) and mood. Methods: Cross-sectional study of 50 patients within 6-12 weeks post diagnosis of advanced GI cancers (gastric, esophageal, pancreatic, and hepatobiliary). We assessed patients’ perceptions of prognosis with a 15-item questionnaire, the Perception of Treatment and Prognosis Questionnaire. QOL and mood were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) and hospital anxiety and depression scales (HADS), respectively. Results: We enrolled 50/62 (80%) consecutive eligible patients within an 11-month period. 50% (25/50) of participants responded that the primary goal of their cancer treatment was to “cure their cancer.” Similarly, 54% (27/50) reported that they were “somewhat” to “extremely likely” to be cured from their cancer. Only 22% (10/49) reported having a discussion about their end-of-life care preferences with their oncologist. 76% (38/50) reported wanting to know as many details as possible about their cancer diagnosis and treatment and 64% (32/50) rated this information as “extremely important.” Patients who perceived knowing about their prognosis as “extremely helpful” reported a better QOL (p = 0.009), lower symptoms of anxiety (p = 0.02) and depression (p = 0.02). Conclusions: Although the majority of patients report that they desire detailed information about their prognosis, half incorrectly perceived their cancer as curable and the majority did not discuss their end-of-life care preferences with their oncologist. Patients who found learning about their prognosis to be extremely helpful reported better QOL and mood. Studies of interventions to increase advanced cancer patients’ knowledge of their prognosis and to encourage end-of-life discussions are warranted.

scholarly journals Preference for Aggressive End-of-Life Care among Advanced Cancer Patients in Wuhan, China: A Cross-Sectional Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 17 (18) ◽  
pp. 6592
Author(s):  
Jing Liao ◽  
Bei Wu ◽  
Jing Mao ◽  
Ping Ni
Keyword(s):  
End Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Mainland China ◽  
Tube Feeding ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Eol Care

Life-sustaining treatments (LSTs) and end-of-life (EOL) care’s goal for prolonging one’s life are defined as aggressive EOL care among critically ill patients. They have limited effects and add unnecessary financial burden to advanced cancer patients. A questionnaire survey was conducted to collect information on demographics, disease conditions, preference for LSTs, and goal of EOL care among advanced cancer patients of comprehensive grade-A tertiary hospitals in Wuhan, mainland China. Most patients preferred to accept LSTs when they were in a critical condition, including cardiopulmonary resuscitation (89.9%), mechanical ventilation support (85.7%), nasogastric tube feeding (84.1%), blood transfusion (89.8%), general surgery (87.5%), and hemodialysis (85.8%). Most (88%) preferred prolonging life as the goal of EOL care. Logistic regression showed common influencing factors were participants who completed junior high/high school or below and were financially adequate had higher reference for aggressive EOL care. Patients whose physician had accurately disclosed prognosis; however, showed a decrease trend for aggressive EOL care. Most advanced cancer patients preferred to accept aggressive EOL care. Discussions about prognosis disclosure among physicians and patients should be improved. Education about LSTs’ limitations and comfort-oriented care’s benefits should be promoted among the advanced cancer patients in mainland China.

Hope, bias and survival expectations of advanced cancer patients: A cross‐sectional study

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Eric A. Finkelstein ◽  
Drishti Baid ◽  
Yin Bun Cheung ◽  
Maurice E. Schweitzer ◽  
Chetna Malhotra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Survival Expectations

The clinical evaluation of the wish to hasten death is not upsetting for advanced cancer patients: A cross-sectional study

2019 ◽  
Vol 33 (6) ◽  
pp. 570-577 ◽  
Author(s):  
Josep Porta-Sales ◽  
Iris Crespo ◽  
Cristina Monforte-Royo ◽  
Mar Marín ◽  
Sonia Abenia-Chavarria ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Healthcare Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Routine Clinical Practice ◽  
Sectional Study ◽  
Advanced Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Important Concern ◽  
Wish To Hasten Death

Background: An important concern of healthcare professionals when exploring the wish to hasten death with patients is the risk of causing them some type of distress. Aim: To assess the opinion of hospitalized patients with advanced cancer about the proactive assessment of the wish to hasten death. Design: Descriptive, cross-sectional study. Setting/participants: We assessed 193 advanced cancer patients admitted to an oncology ward for the wish to hasten death using a semi-structured clinical interview. After the assessment the participants were surveyed to determine whether they found the interview upsetting and, if so to what extent, and also their opinion regarding the assessment’s importance. Results: The wish to hasten death was reported by 46 (23.8%) patients. The majority of patients (94.8%) did not find talking about the wish to hasten death to be upsetting, regardless of whether they presented it or not. The majority of patients (79.3%) considered that it was either quite or extremely important for the clinician to proactively assess the wish to hasten death and discuss this topic, regardless of whether they experienced it. Conclusions: In this study, most of the advanced cancer patients did not find the assessment of wish to hasten death to be upsetting, and a substantial proportion of patients in this study believe that it is important to routinely evaluate it in this setting. These findings suggest that healthcare professionals can explore the wish to hasten death proactively in routine clinical practice without fear of upsetting patients.

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