Integrative medicine modality utilization and impact on quality of life in cancer patients: A single academic cancer center experience.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 169-169
Author(s):  
Denise Millstine ◽  
Krisstina L. Gowin ◽  
Tony Chon
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Natural Product ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Mayo Clinic ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Type

169 Background: The majority of patients with cancer incorporate integrative medicine strategies into their cancer experience however; patient reported preferences and impact on quality of life is limited. We present cancer patient utilization for specific integrative medicine modalities within the Mayo Clinic Arizona Comprehensive Cancer center and describe the patient perceived impact on quality of life. Methods: Patients and family members attending the 2015 Living with Cancer Symposium at Mayo Clinic Arizona completed a survey indicating whether specific integrative medicine modalities were utilized during cancer treatment and whether utilization had an impact on the patients perceived quality of life. Patient diagnoses and stage were collected. A total of 119 patient surveys were completed and analyzed. Results: The patient diagnoses included hematologic malignancies (27%), breast (25%), prostate (18%), and other (30%). Disease stage was nearly evenly distributed with stage I (21%), stage II (20%), stage III (16%), stage IV (15%), and unknown (28%). The most commonly utilized integrative modalities included nutrition (54%), natural product supplementation (34%), massage (33%), exercise (31%) including yoga (23%) and tai chi (1%), breathing and meditation interventions (26-28%), support groups (23%), and pet therapy (17%). The majority of patients (64%) reported integrative intervention utilization led to an enhanced quality of life during cancer therapy. Conclusions: At a single academic cancer center, in a cancer type and stage diverse population, the majority of patients (64%) reported improved quality of life during cancer therapy with integrative medicine intervention utilization. Nutrition, natural product supplementation, massage, exercise, and meditative modalities were most commonly utilized. Interestingly, a large proportion of patients analyzed in this questionnaire-based study were afflicted with hematologic disease, a population underrepresented in the current integrative medicine intervention research. More studies exploring the feasibility and impact of integrative therapies in the hematologic patient population are needed.

scholarly journals Fears, beliefs, and quality of life of patients with cancer vs the general population during the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic in Lombardy

2021 ◽  
pp. 030089162110228
Author(s):  
Carla Ida Ripamonti ◽  
Giacomo Massa ◽  
Daniela Insolvibile ◽  
Mauro Guglielmo ◽  
Guido Miccinesi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
General Population ◽  
Perceived Risk ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Psychological Consequences ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Fear Of Cancer

Aim: To understand how patients with cancer reacted to the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic and whether their quality of life (QoL) was affected. Methods: In June 2020, 111 patients with cancer treated in the supportive care unit of a Comprehensive Cancer Center in Milan and 201 healthy controls from the general population were enrolled and assessed both quantitatively and qualitatively for fears and COVID-19–related beliefs as well as for QoL. Results: Fear of COVID-19 was significantly lower among patients (41% vs 57.6%; p = 0.007), as was fear of cancer (61.5% vs 85.6%; p < 0.001) and other diseases. The perceived risk of getting COVID-19 was lower among patients (25.2% vs 52.7%; p < 0.001), as was the belief of having been exposed to severe acute respiratory syndrome coronavirus 2 (SARS-CoV-2) (18.1% vs 40.8%; p < 0.001). The physical component of QoL was better among the population (54.5 vs 43.8; p < 0.001); the reverse was true for patients’ psychological well-being (44.6 vs 39.6; p < 0.001). The qualitative data supported such results, showing a reduced psychological effect on the patients with cancer compared to the controls. Various reasons explain this result, including the awareness of being treated for cancer and nevertheless protected against getting infected in a cancer center of public health reorganized to continue treating patients by protecting them and personnel from the risk of infection. Conclusions: The experience of a cancer diagnosis, together with proper hospital reorganization, may act as protective factors from fears and psychological consequences of the COVID-19 outbreak.

Integrative medicine and plasma cell disorders.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e20044-e20044
Author(s):  
Onyemaechi Okolo ◽  
Betsy C. Wertheim ◽  
Ashley Larsen ◽  
Nathan W. Sweeney ◽  
Krisstina L. Gowin
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Support Groups ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Plasma Cell ◽  
Specific Treatment ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Breathing Exercises ◽  
Plasma Cell Disorders

e20044 Background: Recent advancements in the treatment of plasma cell disorders (PCD) have led to a revolution in treatment options. Despite improved outcomes, patients have unmet symptom management needs. Integrative medicine (IM) is a method for addressing symptoms in cancer, but its use and efficacy is poorly defined in PCD patients. This analysis describes the utilization of IM among myeloma patients and explores associations with symptom burden. Methods: For 3 months, a 70-question online survey was hosted on HealthTree.org, an online resource for myeloma patients and researchers created by the HealthTree Foundation. The survey included questions about demographics, PCD type, disease stage, complementary practice use, PHQ-2 score (depression screen), and quality of life (sum of 6 interference items; possible score range 0-6). Mean outcome values were compared between IM users and non-users using two-sample t-tests. Proportions of supplement users and IM users were compared between patients currently on myeloma-specific treatment and patients not currently on treatment using chi-square tests. Results: Of 195 total respondents, 17 were excluded for not completing the survey section on IM practices. Median age range was 60-69 years old, 61% were female, 91% were non-Hispanic white, and 57% were overweight or obese. Plasma cell subtypes were active myeloma (81%), smoldering myeloma (12%), MGUS (3%), amyloidosis (2%), and plasmacytoma (1%), and 72% of patients were currently on cancer-specific treatment. On a scale of 1-10 (1=very uncomfortable; 10=very comfortable), patients reported a mean score of 3.7 when discussing IM therapies with their oncologist. The top 10 IM modalities reported were aerobic exercise (83%), nutrition (67%), natural products (60%), strength exercise (52%), support groups (48%), breathing exercises (44%), meditation (42%), yoga (40%), mindfulness-based stress reduction (38%), and massage (38%). Those who participated in meditation had significantly higher PHQ-2 scores (worse depression) than non-participants (1.1 vs. 0.8; p=0.05). Users of support groups (3.4 vs. 2.7; p=0.04), medicinal marijuana (4.0 vs. 2.9; p=0.03), or vitamin C (3.6 vs. 2.7; p=0.01) reported higher mean interference (worse quality of life) than non-users. Compared to patients currently on cancer treatment for PCD, untreated patients were significantly more likely to use curcumin (58% vs. 41%; p=0.04) or green tea (44% vs. 17%; p<0.001), were less likely to use medicinal marijuana (6% vs. 18%; p=0.05), and reported significantly lower fatigue (p=0.02). Conclusions: This international survey-based analysis reveals that most patients participated in IM modalities, though felt uncomfortable discussing them with their oncologist. It is unclear if the use of some IM modalities were due to symptom burden or lead to higher symptom burden. This study provides a foundation in the understanding of IM use in PCD, but more research is needed to evaluate its efficacy.

scholarly journals Comparison of 2 Quality-of-Life Questionnaires in Women Treated for Breast Cancer: The RAND 36-Item Health Survey and the Functional Living Index–Cancer

2005 ◽  
Vol 85 (9) ◽  
pp. 851-860 ◽  
Author(s):  
Rick W Wilson ◽  
Lorraine M Hutson ◽  
Deborah VanStry
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Health Survey ◽  
Convergent Validity ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Global Quality Of Life ◽  
Index Cancer

Abstract Background and Purpose. A variety of health status questionnaires have been used in physical rehabilitation studies involving women with breast cancer, but the usefulness of these questionnaires as measures of physical, mental, and social well-being has not been firmly established in this population. This study was conducted to assess the convergent and discriminative properties of the RAND 36-Item Health Survey and the Functional Living Index–Cancer (FLIC). Subjects Both questionnaires were administered concurrently to 110 outpatients treated surgically for breast cancer at a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center. Methods Bivariate correlations and a multi-trait–multi-method matrix were used to evaluate convergent validity between summary and subscale scores from both questionnaires. Discriminative validity was assessed by testing for expected differences between women who were treated for breast cancer with and without secondary lymphedema. Results Correlations between overall quality-of-life scores produced by both questionnaires were modest, indicating that the instruments focus on somewhat different aspects of health-related quality of life. Global quality-of-life and physical well-being scores were lower among women with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer. The FLIC demonstrated greater sensitivity to group differences in emotional well-being. Discussion and Conclusion The results suggest that neither questionnaire can be replaced by the other in studies of women treated for breast cancer. Both questionnaires were able to distinguish physical functioning deficits in women with lymphedema secondary to breast cancer, but symptom- or treatment-specific measures may be required to assess more subtle difficulties related to the emotional aspects of health and functioning in this population.

A retrospective analysis of integrative medicine consultations at a major cancer center: Reasons for consultation, symptom burden, quality of life, and satisfaction.

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e17630-e17630
Author(s):  
Richard T. Lee ◽  
Gabriel Lopez ◽  
Jane Williams ◽  
Jill Flury ◽  
Amica D Onyemeh Sea ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Retrospective Analysis ◽  
Integrative Medicine ◽  
Symptom Burden ◽  
Cancer Center

Advanced cancer patients' (CP) attitudes and perceptions regarding reasons for outpatient supportive care (SC) referral at a comprehensive cancer center: A randomized controlled study.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24135-e24135
Author(s):  
Angelique Wong ◽  
Frank V. Fossella ◽  
George R. Simon ◽  
Rama Maddi ◽  
Zhanni Lu ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Supportive Care ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Controlled Study ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Attitudes And Perceptions ◽  
Outpatient Supportive Care

e24135 Background: Current ASCO guidelines propose early access to SC in all CP to improve quality of care, quality of life, and symptoms. Very few studies have evaluated patients’ perceived criteria for referral to outpatient SC and perceptions of patients who are referred early in their disease trajectory. Methods: In this study we evaluated CP attitudes and perceptions regarding the role of and access to outpatient Supportive Care clinic (SCC) at a comprehensive cancer center. CP with life expectancy of greater than 6 months (as determined by the oncologist) and who are newly registered at MD Anderson Cancer Center were randomized to either obtain an educational brochure that explained the role of the SCC or no brochure. Both groups then completed a survey regarding the role and access to of outpatient SCC. After completion of the survey, patients were asked if they would like to be seen by the SC team. If so, they were scheduled by their oncologist for a SC consult. Results: 288 patients were evaluable: median age was 63, 43% were female, 84% were Caucasian, and the most common cancer type was lung cancer (39%). Median survival was 15 months. Patients who received a brochure reported more understanding of the role of SC vs those who did not receive a brochure (63% vs 37%, p = 0.04). Both groups felt that SC could help to address physical (47% vs 54%) and psychosocial (50% vs 50%) symptoms. Both groups felt SC could help to address questions regarding prognosis (50% vs 50%) and future care (53% vs 47%). Both groups did not feel that time (50% vs 50%) nor financial concerns (49% vs 51%) would be barriers to access SC. Both groups did not feel that receiving SC would impede their cancer care (60% vs 40%) nor change their oncologists’ perspective of them (25% vs 75%). Both groups felt they could receive SC and cancer care simultaneously (50% vs 50%). Approximately half of the patients in both groups perceived it was not too early for a referral to SC. There were no statistical differences in these groups for these findings. Conclusions: Patients who received a brochure had a better understanding of the role of SC. A very significant proportion in both groups had limited awareness of the value of SC. Oncologist driven referral and education of SC may facilitate better understanding of the value of SC. Further studies are needed.

Effects of cancer therapy on sexuality and quality of life (QoL) of patients with gynecologic malignancies (GM): Results from 55 pts.

2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e19597-e19597
Author(s):  
Adak Pilger ◽  
Rolf Richter ◽  
Christina Fotopoulou ◽  
Carmen Rosa Beteta ◽  
Fakher Ismaeel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Therapy ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Vulvar Cancer ◽  
Sexual Problems ◽  
Disease Stage ◽  
Validated Questionnaires ◽  
Relevant Topic ◽  
After Cancer

e19597 Background: Sexuality is a crucial issue influenced by social norms, shame and moral taboos and is generally not discussed in the clinical day and research community. Aim of our study was to systematically evaluate the sexual function and quality of life of cancer pts after operative and systemic treatment in GM. Methods: We assessed in a prospective setting sexual function and quality of life aspects of patients with histological proven GM after completed treatment. Validated questionnaires about sexuality (Female Sexual Function Index 19 items), quality of life (SF-12) as well an additional semi-structured questionnaire consisting of 20 items were answered by all pts at the earliest 3 months after end of treatment during cancer care follow up visit. Results: Overall 55 pts with median age 61 (range, 22-74) were evaluated including 54% ovarian, 26% breast, 13% cervical cancer, 2% endometrial- and 6% vulvar cancer pts. Overall 32.7% (n=18) of the pts stated that they have sexual problems. Based on the FSFI (<26.5) more pts (58.2%) presented sexual problems. The main reasons for an impaired sexuality were a subjective lost of attractiveness (45%; n=9); vaginal dryness (25%; n=5) followed by fear of injury (20%; n=4). 36.4% (n=20) described a change of sexuality after cancer therapy, 8 pts stated positive, 12 pts negative changes. 40% of the pts stated that they have not searched for information about sexual aspects during or after cancer therapy while 25% of the pts have asked their physicians. Patients who lived in a partnership had higher SF12 scores than singles but not different global QoL-scores. Multivariate analysis revealed ovarian, endometrial, and vulvar cancer but not age, disease stage and presence of partner to negatively affect sexual function . SF12 evaluation showed significantly higher psychological functionality with increasing age. Impaired sexuality was always associated with lower scores in SF12. Conclusions: There is a high need of sexual function assessment after cancer treatment of GM patients using validated questionnaires. Only few pts have access to information about sexuality. Strategies are warranted to improve the discussion about this relevant topic.

Improving the quality of life of geriatric cancer patients with a structured multidisciplinary intervention: A randomized controlled trial

2007 ◽  
Vol 5 (2) ◽  
pp. 107-114 ◽  
Author(s):  
MARIA I. LAPID ◽  
TERESA A. RUMMANS,. ◽  
PAUL D. BROWN ◽  
MARLENE H. FROST ◽  
MARY E. JOHNSON ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Tertiary Care ◽  
Intervention Group ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Controlled Clinical Trial ◽  
Elderly Age

Objective: To examine the potential impact of elderly age on response to participation in a structured, multidisciplinary quality-of-life (QOL) intervention for patients with advanced cancer undergoing radiation therapy.Methods: Study design was a randomized stratified, two group, controlled clinical trial in the setting of a tertiary care comprehensive cancer center. Subjects with newly diagnosed cancer and an estimated 5-year survival rate of 0%–50% who required radiation therapy were recruited and randomly assigned to either an intervention group or a standard care group. The intervention consisted of eight 90-min sessions designed to address the five QOL domains of cognitive, physical, emotional, spiritual, and social functioning. QOL was measured using Spitzer uniscale and linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) at baseline and weeks 4, 8, and 27.Results: Of the 103 study participants, 33 were geriatric (65 years or older), of which 16 (mean age 72.4 years) received the intervention and 17 (mean age 71.4 years) were assigned to the standard medical care. The geriatric participants who completed the intervention had higher QOL scores at baseline, at week 4 and at week 8, compared to the control participants.Significance of results: Our results demonstrate that geriatric patients with advanced cancer undergoing radiation therapy will benefit from participation in a structured multidisciplinary QOL intervention. Therefore, geriatric individuals should not be excluded from participating in a cancer QOL intervention, and, in fact, elderly age may be an indicator of strong response to a QOL intervention. Future research should further explore this finding.

scholarly journals Study on the Quality of Life Among the Cancer Patients at the Sari Comprehensive Cancer Center in 2017

2018 ◽  
Vol 30 (2) ◽  
pp. 127
Author(s):  
Mansour Ranjbar ◽  
Hasan Siamian ◽  
Mohammad Fallahpour
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center

Complementary and Alternative Medicine Use in Women With Gynecologic Malignancy Presenting for Care at a Comprehensive Cancer Center

2015 ◽  
Vol 25 (9) ◽  
pp. 1724-1730 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reem Abdallah ◽  
Yin Xiong ◽  
Johnathan M. Lancaster ◽  
Patricia L. Judson
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Alternative Medicine ◽  
Complementary And Alternative Medicine ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Medicine Use ◽  
Gynecologic Malignancy ◽  
Cam Use ◽  
Complementary And Alternative

ObjectiveWe evaluated complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) practices among women presenting to a National Cancer Institute–designated Comprehensive Cancer Center with a gynecologic malignancy.MethodsWomen with a gynecologic malignancy who had consented to enrollment in our institutional prospective clinical registry between January 2003 and January 2014 and who had completed a questionnaire assessing sociodemographic characteristics, medical histories, quality of life, and CAM use were considered for analysis.ResultsAmong the 2508 women identified, responses to questions on CAM use were provided by 534 (21.3%). The majority of CAM question respondents were white (93.5%) and older than 50 years (76%). Overall, 464 women (87% of CAM question respondents) used at least 1 CAM therapy during the previous 12 months. The most commonly used CAM categories were biologically based approaches (83.5%), mind and body interventions (30.6%), and manipulative and body-based therapies (18.8%). The most commonly used individual CAM therapies were vitamins and minerals (78%), herbal supplements (27.9%), spiritual healing and prayer (15.1%), and deep breathing relaxation exercises (13.1%). Complementary and alternative medicine use was greatest in age groups 20 to 30 years and older than 65 years and was more prevalent among those who were widowed (P< 0.005), retired (P= 0.02), and with a higher level of education (P< 0.01). There was no association with cancer type, race, or ethnicity.ConclusionsComplementary and alternative medicine use is common among women being treated for gynecologic malignancy. Given the potential interactions of some CAM modalities with conventional treatment and the possible benefits in controlling symptoms and improving quality of life, providers should discuss CAM with their patients.

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