Psychological benefits of theater-depicting cancer treatment.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 203-203
Author(s):  
Samantha Carlson ◽  
Becky Jones ◽  
Linda Grossheim ◽  
Joseph Mirro
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Family Members ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Emotional Impact ◽  
Therapeutic Effects ◽  
Continuous Variables

203 Background: The number of cancer survivors in the United States is increasing and estimated to exceed 13 million. Consequently, the quality of life of these patients and their family members has become a high priority. The best interventions to decrease distress, improve coping and quality of life for survivors are poorly understood but are becoming an important focus of research. We therefore, undertook a prospective pilot study using a questionnaire to measure the emotional impact of a play depicting cancer treatment on cancer survivors and their family members. This research project was reviewed and approved by the West Michigan Cancer Center Institutional Review Board (IRB). Methods: The emotional feelings and perceived levels of coping were measured and compared before and after the play. Statistical analyses of responses included chi-square and t-tests for continuous variables, or Fisher’s test or Wilcoxon’s test where parametric assumptions were not met. Results: A total of 60 survivors and 49 family members completed the research questionnaire. The most promising finding was that a majority of survivors and family members 51.0% (n = 50) felt they were coping better (p < 0.0001) after the play. Of the survivors, 73.0% said the play reflected their experiences and 78.0% felt it was helpful dealing with their emotions. Overall, 94.0% of those attending the play requested additional theater performances. Conclusions: Our preliminary data demonstrates that theater depicting cancer treatment has a strong emotional impact and potential therapeutic effects for cancer survivors and family members. Increased feelings of coping with the diagnosis occurred following the play. Attendees also felt less alone (59.5%) and more hopeful (53.4%) after the play.

Impact of quality of life on employment and marital status in long-term cancer survivors treated in a referral center in Mexico.

2018 ◽  
Vol 36 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 122-122
Author(s):  
Yuly Andrea Remolina Bonilla ◽  
Alejandra Armengol Alonso ◽  
Raul Rogelio Trejo rosales
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Marital Status ◽  
Financial Burden ◽  
Metastatic Cancer ◽  
Multivariate Logistic Regression Analysis ◽  
The United States ◽  
History Of

122 Background: Worldwide there is an increasing number of cancer survivors (CS); in the United States in 2016 there were more than 15 million CS and are predicted to increase to 20 million in 2026. In Mexico (GLOBOCAN 2012), new cancer cases were 148.000 and at least 69.000 will survive. Therefore, it is necessary to focus on cancer survivor’s quality of life (QOL) and its effects in social aspects. Methods: A cross-sectional study was performed including 205 CS with history of non-metastatic cancer (aged ≤65 years, ≥ 2 years from diagnosis and off chemo- or radiotherapy). The QOL-CS questionnaire developed by City of Hope Medical Center was used to measure QOL. Participants reported employment and marital status changes during or after cancer treatment. The aim of this study was to evaluate QOL in CS and its association with employment and marital status. A multivariate logistic regression analysis was conducted to estimate odds ratios (OR). Results: Of the 205 CS 70.2% were women and 29.8% men. Median age at the time of the study was 56 years. Median survival time from diagnosis was 83.6 months. 37.1% had history of invasive breast, 18% colorectal and 8.8% testicular cancers. Disease-related marital status changes presented in 15.6%, 26.8% lost or changed work and 36.6% decreased their work hours. Distress about initial diagnosis, cancer treatment, family and financial burden had the worst score in the QOL-CS. We found no differences in QOL between gender, income, age at diagnosis or type of tumor, but having received chemotherapy was associated with worst QOL (OR 7.33 CI 95% 1.99-26.96 p = 0.003) as well as self-reported neuropathy (OR 2.34 CI 95% 1.06-5.19 p = 0.032). Those with low QOL-CS scores (≤6) were more likely to have a disease-related change in employment (OR 2.34 CI 95% 1.19-4.61 p = 0.014). Disease-related marital status changes were higher in who experienced work status variations (OR 3.87 CI 95% 1.21-12.4 p = 0.023). Conclusions: this is one of the first studies in Mexican CS that associate QOL with relevant social roles. In this cohort having received chemotherapy has the greatest impact in QOL. CS with low QOL were more likely to have changes in employment and therefore, in the marital status.

Did quality of life for older cancer survivors improve with the turn of the century in the United States?

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 102-105
Author(s):  
Amandeep R. Mahal ◽  
Laura D. Cramer ◽  
Elyn H. Wang ◽  
Shiyi Wang ◽  
Amy J. Davidoff ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
United States ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
The United States ◽  
Turn Of The Century

scholarly journals The Role of Physical Activity in Cancer Survivors’ Quality of Life

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tayah M. Liska ◽  
Angie Kolen
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Physical Activity ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Diagnosis ◽  
Social Engagement ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Adult Cancer Survivors

Abstract Purpose: As a result of a cancer diagnosis and treatment, many cancer survivors experience persistent physical, mental, and emotional symptoms that affect their quality of life. Physical activity has been identified as an intervention that may help to manage the side effects of a cancer diagnosis and its treatment. The purpose of this study was to investigate the role of physical activity on overall quality of life in adult cancer survivors. Methods: One-on-one semi structured interviews were conducted in person or via telephone with 13 adult (≥18 yrs) cancer survivors who had completed cancer treatment. Results: These cancer survivors described their physical activity as improving their physical functioning and mental health, as a means of positive social engagement, and adding positivity to their daily life. Conclusion: These results support the role of physical activity to enhance cancer survivors’ quality of life regardless of the individuals’ treatment(s) type, duration, or time since the end of active cancer treatment. Further research is warranted to (a) expand this research with a larger sample, (b) examine healthcare providers’ knowledge and application of exercise guidelines to cancer survivors in cancer care, and (c) explore implementation strategies for greater advocacy for healthcare providers to share the exercise recommendations with cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Concerns and Quality of Life of Cancer Survivors Across the Survivorship Trajectory: A Singapore Perspective

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gek Phin Chua ◽  
Quan Sing Ng ◽  
Hiang Khoon Tan ◽  
Whee Sze Ong
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Survivorship ◽  
Recurrence Risk ◽  
Term Treatment ◽  
Fear Of Recurrence ◽  
Long Term Treatment

Abstract Background The aim of this study is to determine the main concerns of survivors at various stages of the cancer survivorship of the cancer survivorship trajectory and to assess whether these concerns have any effect on their quality of life (QOL). The overall goal was to use the insights from the study to guide practice on patient care. Methods A cross-sectional survey of 1107 cancer survivors diagnosed with colorectal, breast, lung, gynaecological, prostate or liver cancers from a cancer centre in Singapore. Eligible patients self-completed a questionnaire adapted from the Mayo Clinic Cancer Centre’s Cancer Survivors Survey of Needs. Results The top 5 concerns among all survivors were cancer treatment and recurrence risk (51%), followed by long-term treatment effects (49%), fear of recurrence (47%), financial concerns (37%) and fatigue (37%). Cancer treatment and recurrence risk, long-term treatment effects and fear of recurrence were amongst the top concerns across the survivorship trajectory. Mean QOL was 7.3 on a scale of 0 – 10. Completed treatment patients had higher QOL score than the newly diagnosed and on treatment patients and the patients dealing with recurrence or second cancer patients. Predictors for QOL included the economic status and housing type of patients and whether patients were concerned with pain and fatigue Conclusion This study confirms that cancer survivors in Singapore face multiple challenges and had various concerns at various stages of cancer survivorship, some of which negatively affect their QOL It is critical to design patient care delivery that appropriately address the various concerns of cancer survivors in order for them to cope and improve their QOL.

scholarly journals Quality of Life Among Black Prostate Cancer Survivors: An Integrative Review

2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (5) ◽  
pp. 1648-1664 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sabrina L. Dickey ◽  
Motolani E. Ogunsanya
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Black Men ◽  
Well Being ◽  
The United States ◽  
Integrative Review ◽  
Dominant Factor ◽  
The Impact

The purpose of this integrative review was to explore the impact of prostate cancer (PCa) on the quality of life (QoL) and factors that contribute to the QoL for Black men with PCa. Prostate is recognized as the prevalent cancer among men in the United States. Compared to other men, Black men are diagnosed more frequently and with more advanced stages of PCa. Black men also experience disproportionately higher morbidity and mortality rates of PCa, among all racial and ethnic groups. The initial diagnosis of PCa is often associated with a barrage of concerns for one’s well-being including one’s QoL. As a result, men must contend with various psychosocial and physiological symptoms of PCa survivorship. Whittemore and Knafl’s integrative review method was utilized to examine empirical articles from the electronic databases of the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), PsycINFO, PubMed, Project Muse, and Google Scholar. The time frame for the literature was January 2005 to December 2016. A synthesis of the literature yielded 18 studies that met the inclusion criteria for the integrative review. A conceptual framework that examined QoL among cancer survivors identified four domains that measured the QoL among Black PCa survivors: (a) physical; (b) psychological; (c) social; and (d) spiritual well-being. Social well-being was the dominant factor among the studies in the review, followed by physical, psychological, and spiritual. Results indicate the need for additional studies that examine the factors impacting the QoL among Black PCa survivors, using a theoretical framework so as to develop culturally appropriate interventions for Black PCa survivors.

Short- and Long-term Cardiovascular Complications of Cancer Treatment: Overview for the Practicing Oncologist

2012 ◽  
pp. 553-554
Author(s):  
Chetan Shenoy ◽  
Gretchen Kimmick
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cardiovascular Complications ◽  
Complex Interaction ◽  
Comorbid Illness ◽  
Increase Risk ◽  
Short And Long Term

Overview: As new therapies improve survival from cancer, attention to comorbid illness and complications of therapy—both short- and long-term—become much more important to improving not only quality of life but also overall survival. Recognized for its importance as the leading cause of death in the United States, heart disease often coexists with cancer, and cancer treatment may increase risk and/or severity. In addition, there are well-recognized cardiovascular toxicities of cancer treatment, including not only cardiomyopathy, but also hypertension, hypercholesterolemia, and others. Oncologists and cardiologists are working closely to learn more about the complex interaction and to improve management and outcome for patients.

scholarly journals Fertility Preservation and Sexual Health After Cancer Therapy

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (10) ◽  
pp. 643-651 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nigel Pereira ◽  
Glenn L. Schattman
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sexual Dysfunction ◽  
Sexual Function ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Fertility Preservation ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Life Issues ◽  
After Cancer

Recent developments in cancer diagnostics and treatments have considerably improved long-term survival rates. Despite improvements in chemotherapy regimens, more focused radiotherapy and diverse surgical options, cancer treatments often have gonadotoxic side-effects that can manifest as loss of fertility or sexual dysfunction, particularly in young cancer survivors. In this review, we focus on two pertinent quality-of-life issues in female cancer survivors of reproductive age—fertility preservation and sexual function. Fertility preservation encompasses all clinical and laboratory efforts to preserve a woman’s chance to achieve future genetic motherhood. These efforts range from well-established protocols such as ovarian stimulation with cryopreservation of embryos or oocytes, to nascent clinical trials involving cryopreservation and re-implantation of ovarian tissue. Therefore, fertility preservation strategies are individualized to the cancer diagnosis, time interval until initiation of treatments must begin, prognosis, pubertal status, and maturity level of patient. Some patients choose not to pursue fertility preservation, and the conversation then centers around other quality of life issues. Not all cancer treatments cause loss of fertility; however, most treatments can directly impact the physical and psychosocial aspects of sexual function. Cancer treatment is also associated with fear, anxiety, and depression, which can further decrease sexual desire, function, and frequency. Sexual dysfunction after cancer treatment is generally ascertained by compassionate inquiry. Strategies to promote sexual function after cancer treatment include pelvic floor exercises, clitoral therapy devices, pharmacologic agents, as well as couples-based psychotherapeutic and psycho-educational interventions. Quality-of-life issues in young cancer survivors are often best addressed by utilizing a multidisciplinary team consisting of physicians, nurses, social workers, psychiatrists, sex educators, counselors, or therapists.

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