scholarly journals Establishing the Predictive Validity of Intentions to Smoke Among Preadolescents and Adolescents Surviving Cancer

2010 ◽  
Vol 28 (3) ◽  
pp. 431-436 ◽  
Author(s):  
James L. Klosky ◽  
Vida L. Tyc ◽  
Ashley Hum ◽  
Shelly Lensing ◽  
Joanna Buscemi ◽  
...  

Purpose A significant proportion of adults surviving childhood cancer are smokers. Although these estimated rates of smoking are slightly lower than those in the US population, they remain alarmingly high for this high-risk group. The purpose of this study was to examine the predictive validity of adolescent self-reported smoking intentions for later smoking among childhood cancer survivors. Patients and Methods Baseline tobacco intentions were collected from 119 nonsmoking cancer survivors, age 10 to 18 years, who participated in a tobacco-based clinical trial during the late 1990s. Follow-up smoking status was systematically collected annually up to 10 years postintervention (median follow-up, 6.0 years; interquartile range, 3.0 to 6.9 years) as part of clinical survivorship care. Results Twenty-seven participants (22.7%) subsequently initiated tobacco use within 5 years of study enrollment. The 5-year cumulative incidence was 29.8% ± 6.0% for those who were susceptible to smoking compared with 12.8% ± 5.4% for those who were committed never smokers (P = .022). Past use (P < .001) and having friends who smoked (P = .038) were also associated (univariate model) with tobacco initiation, and there was a trend for an association for older adolescents (P = .073). Every unit increase on the intentions scale was associated with a 17% increase in the risk for tobacco initiation (P = .002) after adjusting for age group and past tobacco use in a multivariable model. Conclusion Because early intentions to smoke are predictive of later tobacco use, survivors as young as 10 years of age who waver in their commitment to remain tobacco abstinent should be targeted for tobacco prevention interventions.

2009 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 52-60 ◽  
Author(s):  
Karen M. Emmons ◽  
Elaine Puleo ◽  
Ann Mertens ◽  
Ellen R. Gritz ◽  
Lisa Diller ◽  
...  

Purpose Partnership for Health (PFH) was found to increase smoking cessation among smokers in the Childhood Cancer Survivors Study (CCSS) at the 8- and 12-month postbaseline follow-up. This report provides outcomes at 2 to 6 years postbaseline; the primary outcome is a four-category smoking status variable (quit at all follow-ups, quit at final follow-up only, smoker at all follow-ups, and smoker at final follow-up only); quit attempts among those who reported smoking at the final follow-up is a secondary outcome. Methods PFH was a randomized control trial with two conditions, peer phone counseling (PC) and self-help (SH), that involved smokers (n = 796) enrolled in the CCSS cohort. Results Long-term quit rates were higher in PC versus SH participants. Long-term smoking cessation outcomes were lower among those who were nicotine dependent, of lower educational levels, and among men, and were higher among those who used nicotine replacement therapy and who had higher levels of situational self-efficacy. There were no significant differences in relapse rates between conditions or in quit attempts among continued smokers. Conclusion Cessation rates continue to be significantly higher among participants in the PC condition versus SH, although the differences were not large. This article highlights differences in long-term engagement with smoking cessation among those who received the intervention.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Helena M. Linge ◽  
Cecilia Follin

Abstract Background The survival rate after childhood cancer has improved to 80%. The majority of childhood cancer survivors (CCS) will experience late complications which require follow up care, including access to their individual cancer treatment summary. The need to understand CCS needs and preferences in terms of ways to receive information e.g. digitally, becomes important. This study aims to through a mixed methods approach a) examine how CCS’ health awareness was impacted by viewing their personalized digital treatment summary and follow-up recommendations, b) explore E health literacy, and c) determine self-reported survivorship experiences and health care usage. Methods Survivors with a recent visit to the Late effects clinic were eligible for the study (n = 70). A representative sample of primary diagnoses were invited (n = 28). 16 CCS were enrolled. Recent medical visits, e health literacy and impressions of the digital treatment summary were assessed by a survey in conjunction with viewing their digital treatment summary on a computer screen. Their experience of reading and understanding their digital treatment summary in the context of their health related survivorship experiences were assessed in focus groups. The transcribed data was analyzed with conventional qualitative content analysis. Results The self-reported medical problems largely reflected that, only 6,3% reported no cancer-related reasons for seeking medical attention. Of the medical specialists, the primary care physician was the most frequently visited specialist (68.8%). High E health literacy was not associated with treatment features but with educational level (p = 0.003, CI: 3.9–14.6) and sex (p = 0.022, CI: − 13.6- -1.3). All survivors graded the digital treatment summary above average in terms of being valuable, agreeable and comprehensive. The focus group interviews identified three themes: 1) The significance of information, 2) The impact of awareness; and 3) Empowerment. Conclusions Reading the treatment summaries furthered the survivors understanding of their health situation and consequently aided empowerment. A digital treatment summary, provided by knowledgeable health care professionals, may increase the self-managed care and adherence to follow-up recommendations. Further insights into e health literacy in larger samples of CCS may determine to what extent health-related information can be communicated via digital resources to this at risk population.


2008 ◽  
Vol 93 (12) ◽  
pp. 4840-4843 ◽  
Author(s):  
Enrico Brignardello ◽  
Andrea Corrias ◽  
Giuseppe Isolato ◽  
Nicola Palestini ◽  
Luca Cordero di Montezemolo ◽  
...  

Context: Childhood cancer survivors need regular monitoring into young adulthood and beyond, because they are at risk for developing late-onset complications of cancer therapy, including second malignancies. Objective: This study focuses on the use of thyroid ultrasound to screen for thyroid carcinoma in a population of childhood cancer survivors. Patients: A total of 129 subjects who had received radiotherapy to the head, neck, or upper thorax for a pediatric cancer were studied in the setting of a long-term follow-up unit. Design: Thyroid ultrasound usually began 5 yr after radiotherapy and was repeated every third year, if negative. Median follow-up time since childhood cancer diagnosis was 15.8 yr (range 6.1–34.8 yr). Solid thyroid nodules were found in 35 patients. Fine-needle aspiration was performed in 19 patients, of which 14 had nodules above 1 cm. Main Outcome Measure: The main outcome measure was the finding of not palpable thyroid cancers. Results: Cytological examination of specimens diagnosed papillary carcinoma in five patients who underwent surgery. The cytological diagnosis of papillary thyroid carcinoma was confirmed in all cases by histological examination. Notably, only two of these patients had palpable nodules; the other three were smaller than 1 cm and were detected only by ultrasound. However, histological examination showed nodal metastases in two of these. Conclusions: Although ultrasound screening for thyroid cancer in the general population is not cost effective and could lead to unnecessary surgery, due to false positives, we believe that in childhood cancer survivors who received radiotherapy involving the head, neck, or upper thorax, it would be worthwhile.


2021 ◽  
Vol 9 (1) ◽  
pp. e001981
Author(s):  
Micha Rapoport ◽  
Angela Chetrit ◽  
Dror Cantrell ◽  
Ilya Novikov ◽  
Jesse Roth ◽  
...  

IntroductionWe examined years of potential life lost (YPLL) associated with pre-diabetes as compared with either normoglycemia or diabetes, using data of the Israel cohort of Glucose intolerance, Obesity and Hypertension 40-year follow-up.Research design and methodsMen and women (N=2844, mean age 52.0±8.2 years) who underwent oral glucose tolerance test and anthropometric measurements, during 1976–1982, were followed for mortality until May 2019. Multiple imputation procedures for missing mortality dates and multivariable regression mixed models were applied.ResultsAt baseline, 35.8%, 48.8% and 15.4% individuals were found with normoglycemia, pre-diabetes, and diabetes, respectively. The average difference in YPLL associated with pre-diabetes as compared with normoglycemia was 4.3 years (95% CI 3.3 to 5.2; p<0.001). YPLL were 1 year higher in women with pre-diabetes than in men with pre-diabetes. These differences persisted mainly in individuals younger than 60 years, and those with body mass index (BMI) <25 kg/m2, at baseline. Adjusting for age, sex, country of origin, smoking status, BMI, and blood pressure, the average difference in YPLL associated with pre-diabetes as compared with normoglycemia was 2.0 years (95% CI 1.2 to 2.8; p<0.001). Significant reductions of 5.9 years (95% CI 4.8 to 7.0) on average were observed for diabetes as compared with pre-diabetes and 7.9 years (95% CI 6.7 to 9.1) as compared with individuals with normoglycemia.ConclusionsThis study reveals that life expectancy of middle-aged individuals with pre-diabetes is shorter than of normoglycemic ones. These findings are especially relevant in view of the rising worldwide prevalence of pre-diabetes within younger age groups and underscore the crucial importance of interventions by either lifestyle modification or drug therapy capable of delaying progression from pre-diabetes to diabetes to reduce the YPLL in this high-risk group.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Maria Otth ◽  
Patrick Wechsler ◽  
Sibylle Denzler ◽  
Henrik Koehler ◽  
Katrin Scheinemann

Abstract Background The successful transition of childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) from pediatric to adult long-term follow-up care is a critical phase, and determining the right time point can be challenging. We assessed the feasibility of the use of existing transition readiness tools in the context of the Swiss health care system, assessed partly transition readiness in Swiss CCSs, and compared our findings with Canadian CCSs for which these tools were originally developed. Methods We officially translated the Cancer Worry Scale (CWS) and Self-Management Skill Scale (SMSS) into German and integrated them into this cross-sectional study. We included CCSs attending the long-term follow-up (LTFU) clinic in the Division of Oncology-Hematology, Department of Pediatrics, Kantonsspital Aarau. We used descriptive statistics to describe transition readiness. Results We randomly recruited 50 CCSs aged ≥18 years at participation. The CCSs had a median CWS score of 62 (interquartile range 55–71), indicating a moderate level of cancer-related worry. Despite high self-management skills, some answers showed a dependency of CCSs on their parents. Our experience shows that the CWS and SMSS are easy for Swiss CCSs to use, understand, and complete. The interpretation of the results must take differences in health care systems between countries into account. Conclusions The translated CWS and SMSS are appropriate additional measures to assess transition readiness in CCSs. These scales can be used longitudinally to find the individual time point for transition and the completion by CCSs enables the health care team to individualize the transition process and to support the CCSs according to their individual needs.


2014 ◽  
Vol 62 (2) ◽  
pp. 322-328 ◽  
Author(s):  
Morven C. Brown ◽  
Gillian A. Levitt ◽  
Eva Frey ◽  
Edit Bárdi ◽  
Riccardo Haupt ◽  
...  

2011 ◽  
Vol 57 (6) ◽  
pp. 1062-1066 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lisa B. Kenney ◽  
Heather Bradeen ◽  
Nina S. Kadan-Lottick ◽  
Lisa Diller ◽  
Alan Homans ◽  
...  

BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Anne-Sophie Mazzoni ◽  
Hannah L. Brooke ◽  
Sveinung Berntsen ◽  
Karin Nordin ◽  
Ingrid Demmelmaier

Abstract Background Current knowledge about the promotion of long-term physical activity (PA) maintenance in cancer survivors is limited. The aims of this study were to 1) determine the effect of self-regulatory BCTs on long-term PA maintenance, and 2) identify predictors of long-term PA maintenance in cancer survivors 12 months after participating in a six-month exercise intervention during cancer treatment. Methods In a multicentre study with a 2 × 2 factorial design, the Phys-Can RCT, 577 participants with curable breast, colorectal or prostate cancer and starting their cancer treatment, were randomized to high intensity exercise with or without self-regulatory behaviour change techniques (BCTs; e.g. goal-setting and self-monitoring) or low-to-moderate intensity exercise with or without self-regulatory BCTs. Participants’ level of PA was assessed at the end of the exercise intervention and 12 months later (i.e. 12-month follow-up), using a PA monitor and a PA diary. Participants were categorized as either maintainers (change in minutes/week of aerobic PA ≥ 0 and/or change in number of sessions/week of resistance training ≥0) or non-maintainers. Data on potential predictors were collected at baseline and at the end of the exercise intervention. Multiple logistic regression analyses were performed to answer both research questions. Results A total of 301 participants (52%) completed the data assessments. A main effect of BCTs on PA maintenance was found (OR = 1.80, 95%CI [1.05–3.08]) at 12-month follow-up. Participants reporting higher health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) (OR = 1.03, 95%CI [1.00–1.06] and higher exercise motivation (OR = 1.02, 95%CI [1.00–1.04]) at baseline were more likely to maintain PA levels at 12-month follow-up. Participants with higher exercise expectations (OR = 0.88, 95%CI [0.78–0.99]) and a history of tobacco use at baseline (OR = 0.43, 95%CI [0.21–0.86]) were less likely to maintain PA levels at 12-month follow-up. Finally, participants with greater BMI increases over the course of the exercise intervention (OR = 0.63, 95%CI [0.44–0.90]) were less likely to maintain their PA levels at 12-month follow-up. Conclusions Self-regulatory BCTs improved PA maintenance at 12-month follow-up and can be recommended to cancer survivors for long-term PA maintenance. Such support should be considered especially for patients with low HRQoL, low exercise motivation, high exercise expectations or with a history of tobacco use at the start of their cancer treatment, as well as for those gaining weight during their treatment. However, more experimental studies are needed to investigate the efficacy of individual or combinations of BCTs in broader clinical populations. Trial registration NCT02473003 (10/10/2014).


2020 ◽  
Vol 43 (2) ◽  
pp. E14-23
Author(s):  
Sophie Marcoux, MD, PhD Marcoux ◽  
Caroline Laverdière

Purpose: The majority of childhood cancer survivors suffer from late adverse effects after the completion of treatment. The prospect of most survivors reaching middle-age is a relatively new phenomenon, and the ways by which current and future primary care physicians (PCPs) will address this novel public health challenge are uncertain. Methods: A survey assessing knowledge level and information delivery preferences regarding long-term follow-up guidelines for adult patients having survived a childhood cancer was distributed by e-mail through the Quebec (Canada) national associations of PCPs and residents (n=238). Results: Participants reported an estimated average of 2.9 ± 1.9 cancer survivors in their yearly caseload, and only 35.3% recalled having provided services to at least one survivor in the last year. Most participants indicated ignoring validated follow-up guidelines for these patients (average score 1.66 on a Likert scale from “1—totally disagreeing” to “5—totally agreeing”). Scarce access to personalized follow-up guidelines and lack of clinical exposure to cancer survivors were identified as main obstacles in providing optimal care to these patients (respective averages of 1.66 and 1.84 on a Likert scale from “1— is a major obstacle” to “5—is not an obstacle at all”). Conclusion: The PCPs and residents rarely provide care for childhood cancer adult survivors. On an individual basis, there is a clear need for increased awareness, education and collaboration regarding long-term care of childhood cancer adult survivors during medical training. On a more global basis, structural, organizational and cultural changes are also needed to ensure adequate care transition.


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