Effect of an Essential Oil Mixture on Skin Reactions in Women Undergoing Radiotherapy for Breast Cancer

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (4) ◽  
pp. 290-303 ◽  
Author(s):  
Margo A. Halm ◽  
Clarice Baker ◽  
Val Harshe
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Essential Oil ◽  
Standard Care ◽  
Effect Sizes ◽  
Medium Effect ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Skin Reactions

Purpose:This pilot study compared the effects of an essential oil mixture versus standard care on skin reactions in breast cancer patients receiving radiation. Method: Using an experimental design, 24 patients were randomized to standard care (i.e., RadiaPlexRx™ ointment) or an essential oil mixture. Products were applied topically three times a day until 1 month postradiation. Weekly skin assessments were recorded and women completed patient satisfaction and quality of life (QOL) instruments at 3-, 6-, and 10-week intervals. Results: No significant differences were found for skin, QOL, or patient satisfaction at interim or follow-up time points. Effect sizes were as follows: skin = .01 to .07 (small-medium effect); QOL = .01 to .04 (small effect); patient satisfaction = .02 (small effect). Conclusion: The essential oil mixture did not provide a better skin protectant effect than standard care. These findings suggest the essential oil mixture is equivalent to RadiaPlexRx, a common product used as standard care since it has been shown to be effective in protecting skin from radiation. Thus, this pilot provides evidence to support botanical or nonpharmaceutical options for women during radiotherapy for breast cancer.

A randomized controlled trial (RCT) of long-term follow-up for early stage breast cancer comparing family physician to specialist care: A report of secondary outcomes

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6003-6003
Author(s):  
E. Grunfeld ◽  
J. Julian ◽  
M. Levine ◽  
K. Pritchard ◽  
D. Coyle ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Family Physician ◽  
Early Stage ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Secondary Outcomes

6003 Background: Breast cancer patients usually receive follow-up in specialist cancer clinics. We have reported that family physician follow-up of breast cancer patients is a safe and acceptable alternative to specialist follow-up as measured by the primary clinical outcome of the rate of serious clinical events (Grunfeld et al, JCO 2006;24(6)). We report here the secondary outcomes of this trial: quality of life domains, patient satisfaction and patients’ costs. Methods: Women with early stage breast cancer who had completed adjuvant therapy (patients may have continued on adjuvant hormonal therapy), who were disease free and between 9 and 15 months after diagnosis, were allocated to receive follow-up in a cancer clinic according to usual practice (CC arm) or follow-up from their own family physician (FP arm). For patients without recurrence, quality of life (QL) measured by the SF36, patient satisfaction, and patients’ costs were measured every 6 months. For patients with recurrence QL measured by the EORTC QLQ C-30 was measured at the time of recurrence. Results: 483 patients were allocated to the FP arm and 485 to the CC arm. Median follow-up was 3.5 years. There were no significant differences between groups on change scores for SF36 subscales to 24 months, or EORTC functional subscale scores at the time of recurrence. Patients’ costs of follow-up (travel costs, out-of-pocket expenses, and lost earnings) were significantly less to 24 months (p < 0.02) in the FP arm. Although costs were less between 36 and 48 months, these were not significant. Conclusions: Family physician follow-up of breast cancer patients does not have a negative impact on clinical or QL outcomes and is less costly for patients. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

scholarly journals The impact of hyperbaric oxygen therapy on late radiation toxicity and quality of life in breast cancer patients

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marilot C. T. Batenburg ◽  
Wies Maarse ◽  
Femke van der Leij ◽  
Inge O. Baas ◽  
Onno Boonstra ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Oxygen Therapy ◽  
Radiation Toxicity ◽  
Breast Pain ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

Abstract Purpose To evaluate symptoms of late radiation toxicity, side effects, and quality of life in breast cancer patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Methods For this cohort study breast cancer patients treated with HBOT in 5 Dutch facilities were eligible for inclusion. Breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity treated with ≥ 20 HBOT sessions from 2015 to 2019 were included. Breast and arm symptoms, pain, and quality of life were assessed by means of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and -BR23 before, immediately after, and 3 months after HBOT on a scale of 0–100. Determinants associated with persistent breast pain after HBOT were assessed. Results 1005/1280 patients were included for analysis. Pain scores decreased significantly from 43.4 before HBOT to 29.7 after 3 months (p < 0.001). Breast symptoms decreased significantly from 44.6 at baseline to 28.9 at 3 months follow-up (p < 0.001) and arm symptoms decreased significantly from 38.2 at baseline to 27.4 at 3 months follow-up (p < 0.001). All quality of life domains improved at the end of HBOT and after 3 months follow-up in comparison to baseline scores. Most prevalent side effects of HBOT were myopia (any grade, n = 576, 57.3%) and mild barotrauma (n = 179, 17.8%). Moderate/severe side effects were reported in 3.2% (n = 32) of the patients. Active smoking during HBOT and shorter time (i.e., median 17.5 vs. 22.0 months) since radiotherapy were associated with persistent breast pain after HBOT. Conclusion Breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity reported reduced pain, breast and arm symptoms, and improved quality of life following treatment with HBOT.

scholarly journals Determination of the Influence of Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms on Quality of Life in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Paclitaxel: Prospective Cross Sectional Study With Four Follow-ups

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
BERNA KURT ◽  
ZEYNEP SİPAHİ KARSLI ◽  
BERNA ÖMÜR ÇAKMAK ÖKSÜZOĞLU ◽  
EMİNE ÖZTÜRK ◽  
NESLİHAN DEMİRÖRS ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Peripheral Neuropathy ◽  
Assessment Tool ◽  
Life Questionnaire ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Quality Of Life Questionnaire

Abstract Background The objective of this study is to evaluate the impact of peripheral neuropathy on the quality of life of breast cancer patients throughout with monthly follow-up during 4 months of paclitaxel treatment.Material and methods The research was conducted with a prospective cross sectional with four follow-ups descriptive design. The study population consisted of female patients with breast cancer at Ankara Oncology Training and Research Hospital between August 2018 and January 2019. Data were collected the ‘’Patient Information Form’’,‘’EORTC C30 Cancer Quality Of Life Questionnaire’’ and ‘’Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool’’. The study was undertaken in accordance with the STROBE checklist for cross-sectional studies. Results Of 79 patients included in the Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Assessment Tool except for the general activity subdimension were statistically significant in the ratings of 2nd, compared to 1st; 3rd compared to 1st and 2nd; 4th compared to 1st, 2nd, and 3rd follow-up periods. The overall mean of EORTC C30 Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire, functional subdimension, symptom severity, and general well-being in the evaluations of 2nd, compared with 1st; 3rd compared with 1st and 2nd; 4th compared with 1st, 2nd, and 3rd follow-up periods it was found that the mean values of symptom that decreased gradually were statistically significant.Conclusion The neuropathy scale was found to be higher in 2nd, 3rd, 4th follow-up periods than in 1st follow-up. Also, EORTC C30 Cancer QLQ subdimensions were high initially but gradually decreased after the fourth cycle. Thus, it was found that the increase in neuropathy symptoms negatively affects the quality of life.

Quality of life and patient satisfaction in breast cancer patients after immediate breast reconstruction: a prospective study

The Breast ◽  
2005 ◽  
Vol 14 (3) ◽  
pp. 201-208 ◽  
Author(s):  
Elisabeth Edström Elder ◽  
Yvonne Brandberg ◽  
Tina Björklund ◽  
Richard Rylander ◽  
Jakob Lagergren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Prospective Study ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Immediate Breast Reconstruction ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
A Prospective Study

scholarly journals Prospective Feasibility Study of A Mindfulness-Based Program for Breast Cancer Patients in the Southeastern US

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carolina Salvador ◽  
Phyllis Mark ◽  
Teri Hoenemeyer ◽  
Victoria McDonald
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Feasibility Study ◽  
Program Effectiveness ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Mindfulness Skills ◽  
Success Criteria

Abstract Background: Mindfulness interventions are effective at improving psychological distress and quality of life in cancer patients. Few mindfulness programs for cancer recovery exist in major cities throughout the Southeastern United States. The primary objective of this study was to assess the feasibility of a modified mindfulness-based stress reduction (MBSR) program for breast cancer patients in Birmingham, Alabama. The secondary objective was to estimate the effectiveness of the modified program by examining changes in patients’ mindfulness skills and quality of life. Methods: This study was a prospective, quasi-experimental feasibility study conducted over 10 months within a university hospital in Birmingham, Alabama. Feasibility was achieved if 80% of eligible patients screened chose to enroll in the study and 70% of enrolled patients attended all 8 program sessions. Program effectiveness was estimated by changes in mindfulness and quality of life indicators. These indicators were measured by validated scales administered at pretest, posttest, and 8-week follow-up and assessed with a non-parametric Friedman test. The program curriculum followed a modified version of Dr. Jon Kabat-Zinn’s MBSR program. Program sessions included sitting meditation, hatha/restorative yoga, and a body-focused attention practice called body scan. There were 3 groups of 2-5 patients.Results: The sample consisted of 12 patients. Forty-four percent (12/27) of eligible patients enrolled in the study, failing to meet recruitment success criteria of 80%; two out of 12 enrolled patients completed all 8 program sessions, resulting in 16.7% (2/12) retention, which fell below the retention success criteria of 70%. However, more than half (66.7%) of participants completed at least 7 sessions. Between baseline and 8-week follow-up, patients demonstrated statistically significant improvements in distress, general wellbeing, and fatigue-related quality of life.Conclusions: Feasibility objectives were not achieved. However, a large majority of participants (66.7%) completed 7 of the 8 program sessions. Program effectiveness was promising for distress, fatigue, and wellbeing. Results warrant further research on MBSR programs for breast cancer patients in Alabama. Future programs should investigate how to increase overall recruitment numbers, focusing on introducing mindfulness concepts to inexperienced populations. Studies should consider hosting sessions in community locations or via telemedicine to improve accessibility.

scholarly journals Effects of Out-of-Hospital Continuous Nursing on Postoperative Breast Cancer Patients by Medical Big Data

2022 ◽  
Vol 2022 ◽  
pp. 1-14
Author(s):  
Peijuan He ◽  
Bing Zhang ◽  
Songna Shen
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Communication System ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Apriori Algorithm ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Medical Communication

This study aimed to explore the application value of the intelligent medical communication system based on the Apriori algorithm and cloud follow-up platform in out-of-hospital continuous nursing of breast cancer patients. In this study, the Apriori algorithm is optimized by Amazon Web Services (AWS) and graphics processing unit (GPU) to improve its data mining speed. At the same time, a cloud follow-up platform-based intelligent mobile medical communication system is established, which includes the log-in, my workstation, patient records, follow-up center, satisfaction management, propaganda and education center, SMS platform, and appointment management module. The subjects are divided into the control group (routine telephone follow-up, 163) and the intervention group (continuous nursing intervention, 216) according to different nursing methods. The cloud follow-up platform-based intelligent medical communication system is used to analyze patients’ compliance, quality of life before and after nursing, function limitation of affected limb, and nursing satisfaction under different nursing methods. The running time of Apriori algorithm is proportional to the data amount and inversely proportional to the number of nodes in the cluster. Compared with the control group, there are statistical differences in the proportion of complete compliance data, the proportion of poor compliance data, and the proportion of total compliance in the intervention group ( P < 0.05 ). After the intervention, the scores of the quality of life in the two groups are statistically different from those before treatment ( P < 0.05 ), and the scores of the quality of life in the intervention group were higher than those in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The proportion of patients with limited and severely limited functional activity of the affected limb in the intervention group is significantly lower than that in the control group ( P < 0.05 ). The satisfaction rate of postoperative nursing in the intervention group is significantly higher than that in the control group ( P < 0.001 ), and the proportion of basically satisfied and dissatisfied patients in the control group was higher than that in the intervention group ( P < 0.05 ).

Prognostic significance of quality of life index in breast cancer

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6135-6135
Author(s):  
D. Gupta ◽  
J. F. Grutsch ◽  
J. Granick ◽  
R. Neelam ◽  
P. G. Vashi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Prognostic Significance ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Prognostic Information ◽  
Life Index ◽  
Quality Of Life Index

6135 Background: Quality of Life (QoL) is a multidimensional construct. There is extensive data showing that QoL tools measuring the activities of daily life provide prognostic information in cancer. However, similar information on QoL tools measuring patient satisfaction with their life is sparse. The Ferrans and Powers Quality of Life Index (QLI) is one such instrument. The goal of this study was to evaluate the statistical strength of association between QLI and survival in breast cancer patients undergoing care in a non-clinical trial setting. Methods: We examined a case series of 251 breast cancer patients treated at Cancer Treatment Centers of America between 04/01 and 11/04. QLI defines QoL in terms of satisfaction with the aspects of life that are important to the patient. QLI measures overall QoL and QoL in four major subscales: health and physical, social and economic, psychological and spiritual, and family. All scores range from 0 to 30 with higher scores indicating better QoL. Study patients were dichotomized into 2 groups based on median scores for all QoL subscales. Kaplan Meier method was used to calculate survival. Log-Rank test was used to study the equality of survival distributions. Results: Of 251 patients, 74 were newly diagnosed and 177 had prior treatment history. The median age was 48 years (range 25 - 74 years). 45 patients had stage I disease, 105 stage II, 38 stage III, and 32 stage IV. The table describes the median survival for all QLI subscales. Health and physical functioning subscale and QLI subtotal subscale were significantly associated with survival. Conclusions: This study shows that baseline levels of patient satisfaction with their QoL provide useful prognostic information in breast cancer. While these findings need to be evaluated further to ascertain which subscales of QoL have a role in predicting patients’ prognosis, they have important implications for patient stratification in clinical trials and may aid decision-making in clinical practice. [Table: see text] No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Feasibility of group follow-up visit for breast cancer survivors

2007 ◽  
Vol 25 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 19603-19603
Author(s):  
C. O. Ruud ◽  
K. Francis ◽  
C. Stephens ◽  
M. H. Rajab
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Patient Satisfaction ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Social Worker ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Group Visit ◽  
Follow Up Care

19603 Background: The ASCO 2006 guidelines specify that regularly scheduled follow-up care of breast cancer survivors should be the standard. Follow up care is a “teachable moment” to train survivors in positive habits. A group visit model at the Cleveland Clinic proved feasible and improved patient satisfaction for other diseases. Our objectives include assessing the feasibility of an adapted group follow-up visit for the care of breast cancer patients and patient satisfaction. Methods: A feasibility study targeting breast cancer patients who completed primary therapy and were scheduled for a routine appointment. We mailed letters inviting patients to a follow-up group visit. Patients were divided into 3 groups, each scheduled for a separate (90–120 minute). During the first half of the visit, participants were divided into three groups; 5-minute physician exam, nurse review of medications and vital signs, and instruction by a social worker. Groups were rotated. During the second half the doctor, nurse, and social worker met with all participants in one room starting with an educational presentation about fatigue and exercise. Each participant was subsequently interviewed by the physician in the presence of their peers. Shared complaints were investigated first. Patients rated their satisfaction with the different parts of the visit on a scale of 1–5. Participants were surveyed pre- and post- education session and asked if they would participate again. Participants were allowed to bring a family member or friend. Results: 29 (29.6 %) out of 98 consented and 22 (22.5%) attended;10 in first visit, 5 in second visit and 7 in last visit. Average age 61±8, ranged from 46–72 years. Most participants were satisfied with all parts of the group visit, except two in the first group were less satisfied with the check in process and moving between rooms. Comparing the pre- vs. post- educational session surveys showed an improved understanding of the importance of fatigue or exercise. 17 (77%) out of 22 participants agreed to participate in another group visit. Conclusion: Group visit format is feasible and provides patient satisfaction. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

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