Tobacco use, knowledge of harms, and cessation support among patients with non-tobacco related cancers.

2021 ◽  
Vol 39 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24029-e24029
Author(s):  
Laura Vater ◽  
Anup Trikannad Ashwini Kumar ◽  
Neha Sehgal ◽  
Maria Khan ◽  
Kelsey Bullens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Prescribe Medication ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Quit Attempts

e24029 Background: Continued cigarette smoking among patients with cancer leads to numerous adverse health outcomes, even among patients with non-tobacco-related cancers such as breast, colon, and prostate cancer. Continued smoking is associated with poorer response to cancer treatment, increased risk for treatment-related toxicities, and shorter overall survival. While some patients with a smoking-related cancer make efforts to quit smoking at the time of diagnosis, patients with other forms of cancer might not understand the negative effects of continued smoking. In this study, we assessed patient knowledge of the harms of continued smoking, previous cessation attempts, and cessation support. Methods: We surveyed 102 adults with breast, colon, and prostate cancer at three locations: an NCI-designated cancer center, an urban safety-net medical center, and a rural cancer center. Patients were asked about current smoking behaviors, beliefs about the harms of continued smoking, quit attempts and resources used, and cessation support. We also surveyed seven oncologists to assess beliefs about harms of continued smoking, cessation support provided to patients, training and confidence in cessation counseling, and barriers to providing cessation support. Results: Most patients (82%) agreed or strongly agreed that continued smoking may shorten life expectancy, and 70% agreed or strongly agreed that continued smoking increased the risk of getting a different type of cancer. Only 41% of patients agreed or strongly agreed that continued smoking may cause more side effects from cancer treatment, and only 40% agreed or strongly agreed that ongoing smoking may affect treatment response. The majority of patients (86%) had tried to quit smoking for good, with an average 4.1 quit attempts per patient. Patients reported that physicians advised them to quit the majority of the time (92%), prescribed medication 33% of the time, and followed up on cessation attempts 43% of the time. Overall, oncologists had higher knowledge of the harms of continued smoking on treatment outcomes and survival. Those in practice for 20 years or more had higher confidence in cessation counseling than those in practice less than 4 years. Oncologists described lack of time and lack of confidence in cessation counseling as barriers to providing more cessation support. Conclusions: Among 102 patients with breast, colon, and prostate cancer who currently smoke, there was incomplete knowledge of the harms of continued smoking. Oncologists believe that tobacco cessation is important and frequently advise patients to quit, however they less frequently prescribe medication or follow up on cessation efforts. Interventions are needed to educate patients with cancer about the harms of continued smoking and to provide further cessation support.

scholarly journals Models of Outpatient Palliative Care Clinics for Patients With Cancer

2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (4) ◽  
pp. 187-193 ◽  
Author(s):  
Esme Finlay ◽  
Kristina Newport ◽  
Shanthi Sivendran ◽  
Laurel Kilpatrick ◽  
Michelle Owens ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Care ◽  
Palliative Care ◽  
Advanced Cancer ◽  
Care Delivery ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Safety Net ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Safety Net Hospital

PURPOSE: Early integration of outpatient palliative care (OPC) benefits patients with advanced cancer and also the health care systems in which these patients are seen. Successful development and implementation of models of OPC require attention to the needs and values of both the patients being served and the institution providing service. SUMMARY: In the 2016 clinical guideline, ASCO recommended integrating palliative care early in the disease trajectory alongside cancer-directed treatment. Despite strong endorsement and robust evidence of benefit, many patients with cancer lack access to OPC. Here we define different models of care delivery in four successful palliative care clinics in four distinct health care settings: an academic medical center, a safety net hospital, a community health system, and a hospice-staffed clinic embedded in a community cancer center. The description of each clinic includes details on setting, staffing, volume, policies, and processes. CONCLUSION: The development of robust and capable OPC clinics is necessary to meet the growing demand for these services among patients with advanced cancer. This summary of key aspects of functional OPC clinics will enable health care institutions to evaluate their specific needs and develop programs that will be successful within the environment of an individual institution.

scholarly journals Elevated Cancer-Specific Mortality Among HIV-Infected Patients in the United States

2015 ◽  
Vol 33 (21) ◽  
pp. 2376-2383 ◽  
Author(s):  
Anna E. Coghill ◽  
Meredith S. Shiels ◽  
Gita Suneja ◽  
Eric A. Engels
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cox Regression ◽  
B Cell Lymphoma ◽  
The United States ◽  
Cancer Stage ◽  
Infected People ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Specific Mortality ◽  
Cancer Specific Mortality

Purpose Despite advances in the treatment of HIV, HIV-infected people remain at increased risk for many cancers, and the number of non–AIDS-defining cancers is increasing with the aging of the HIV-infected population. No prior study has comprehensively evaluated the effect of HIV on cancer-specific mortality. Patients and Methods We identified cases of 14 common cancers occurring from 1996 to 2010 in six US states participating in a linkage of cancer and HIV/AIDS registries. We used Cox regression to examine the association between patient HIV status and death resulting from the presenting cancer (ascertained from death certificates), adjusting for age, sex, race/ethnicity, year of cancer diagnosis, and cancer stage. We included 1,816,461 patients with cancer, 6,459 (0.36%) of whom were HIV infected. Results Cancer-specific mortality was significantly elevated in HIV-infected compared with HIV-uninfected patients for many cancers: colorectum (adjusted hazard ratio [HR], 1.49; 95% CI, 1.21 to 1.84), pancreas (HR, 1.71; 95% CI, 1.35 to 2.18), larynx (HR, 1.62; 95% CI, 1.06 to 2.47), lung (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.17 to 1.39), melanoma (HR, 1.72; 95% CI, 1.09 to 2.70), breast (HR, 2.61; 95% CI, 2.06 to 3.31), and prostate (HR, 1.57; 95% CI, 1.02 to 2.41). HIV was not associated with increased cancer-specific mortality for anal cancer, Hodgkin lymphoma, or diffuse large B-cell lymphoma. After further adjustment for cancer treatment, HIV remained associated with elevated cancer-specific mortality for common non–AIDS-defining cancers: colorectum (HR, 1.40; 95% CI, 1.09 to 1.80), lung (HR, 1.28; 95% CI, 1.14 to 1.44), melanoma (HR, 1.93; 95% CI, 1.14 to 3.27), and breast (HR, 2.64; 95% CI, 1.86 to 3.73). Conclusion HIV-infected patients with cancer experienced higher cancer-specific mortality than HIV-uninfected patients, independent of cancer stage or receipt of cancer treatment. The elevation in cancer-specific mortality among HIV-infected patients may be attributable to unmeasured stage or treatment differences as well as a direct relationship between immunosuppression and tumor progression.

Gemcitabine-related thrombocytosis: Does it increase the risk of thrombosis?

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 6091-6091
Author(s):  
S. Ahmed ◽  
R. K. Shahid ◽  
A. Sami ◽  
S. Yadav ◽  
I. Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Platelet Count ◽  
Median Number ◽  
Vascular Event ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Platinum Compound ◽  
Advanced Malignancy ◽  
Exact Test ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
History Of

6091 Background: Gemcitabine is an antimetabolite agent that has demonstrated activity in various solid and hematological malignancies. Although thrombocytopenia is a known side effect, gemcitabine-related thrombocytosis has been uncommonly reported. Chemotherapy increases the risk of thrombo-embolism in patients with cancer. The study aimed to identify the incidence of gemcitabine-related thrombocytosis and to determine whether it has been associated with an increased risk of thrombo-embolism. Methods: Medical records of 175 consecutive adults patients with a malignant disease who received gemcitabine at Saskatoon Cancer Center were reviewed. Patients with history of prior thrombo-embolism or with baseline thrombocytosis were excluded. Fisher’s Exact test was done for statistical analysis. Results: 149 eligible patients with median age of 62 (26–83) and M:F of 1.01:1 were identified. 141 (95%) patients had advanced malignancy and 61 (41%) had received prior chemotherapy. 106 (71%) patients received combination of chemotherapy and 95% of those patients received gemcitabine in combination with a platinum compound. Median number of cycle was 3 (1–8). Median platelets count prior to commencement of gemcitabine was 285 × 109 (44–449). 83 (56%) patients experienced thrombocytopenia whereas 69 (46%) patients experienced thrombocytosis within 3 weeks of treatment with gemcitabine. Median post-gemcitabine platelet count in patients with thrombocytosis was 622 × 109 (457–1385). 15 (10%) patients experienced thrombocytosis with each cycle of gemcitabine. Median duration of thrombocytosis was 2 weeks (0.5−5). 13 (9%) of 149 patients experienced a vascular event (venous, n=9; arterial, n=4) within 6 weeks of treatment with gemcitabine. Median platelet count prior to the vascular event was 268 × 109 (79–669). All except one patient had advanced malignancy and 85% had received combination of chemotherapy. 5 of 69 (7%) patients with thrombocytosis experienced a vascular event compared with 8 of 80 (10%) patients without thrombocytosis (p=0.77). Conclusions: Gemcitabine has been associated with an increased incidence of thrombocytosis. However gemcitabine-related thrombocytosis is a transient phenomenon and has not been associated with an increased risk of a vascular event. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Pastoral care of cancer patients: Defining utilization of services at a comprehensive cancer center.

2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e24171-e24171
Author(s):  
Elizabeth Palmer ◽  
Anghela Paredes ◽  
Madison Hyer ◽  
Timothy M. Pawlik
Keyword(s):  
Pastoral Care ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Spiritual Care ◽  
Cancer Care ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Spiritual Needs ◽  
Active Listening ◽  
Patients With Cancer

e24171 Background: Addressing the religious/spiritual needs of patients is an important component of comprehensive cancer care. Patients often report that providers infrequently engage them about their needs during treatment. In addition, providers cite inadequate training as a significant barrier to providing spiritual care. While patients may benefit from the presence of a spiritual care specialist during cancer treatment, the utilization and content of these services are not well defined. We sought to characterize utilization of pastoral care (PC) services, as well as delineate differences in PC utilization among patients with cancer. Methods: Data on patients being treated for cancer at a Comprehensive Cancer Center between 2015-2018 were obtained from the electronic medical record. Overall utilization, type of PC services utilized, as well as factors associated with use of PC were assessed. Analyses included descriptive statistics and logistic regression. Results: Among 14,322 cancer patients, roughly one-third (n = 5166, 36.1%) had at least one PC encounter during their cancer treatment. Interventions most frequently provided by PC included supportive presence (93.5%) and active listening (86.6%), while the most frequently explored topics were treatment expectations (59.8%), issues with faith/beliefs (42.9%), and available coping mechanisms (35.4%). Patients diagnosed with colorectal (OR:1.42, 95%CI:1.07-1.89), liver (OR:2.41, 95%CI:1.80-3.24), or pancreatic cancer (OR:1.43, 95%CI:1.02-2.00) were more likely to utilize PC services compared with other cancers. Patients that identified as Catholic (OR:1.47, 95%CI:1.17-1.84) or Christian (OR:1.73, 95%CI:1.39-2.15) were more likely to request PC services (both p < 0.001) than individuals who had no religious preference/affiliation. Among surgical patients (n = 1,174), the majority of encounters with PC services were in the postoperative setting (n = 801, 70.6%). Patients most often reported that PC helped with verbalization of their feelings (93.6%) and helped reduce stress (76.9%). Conclusions: Over one-third of patients with cancer interacted with PC and received services that often addressed both psychosocial and spiritual concerns. Overall PC utilization and types of PC services rendered varied relative to demographic and religious factors. Providers should be aware of varying patient religious/spiritual needs so as to optimize the entire cancer care experience for patients.

scholarly journals Patient Cessation Activity after Automatic Referral to a Dedicated Cessation Support Service

2017 ◽  
Vol 13 (2) ◽  
pp. 78-86
Author(s):  
Katharine A. Amato ◽  
Mary E. Reid ◽  
Maansi Bansal-Travers ◽  
Heather M. Ochs-Balcom ◽  
K. Michael Cummings ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Support Service ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Tobacco Use Cessation ◽  
The Past ◽  
Quit Smoking ◽  
Opt Out ◽  
Quit Attempts ◽  
First Contact

Introduction: We characterised tobacco use, cessation patterns, and patient satisfaction with a cessation support program at an NCI Designated Comprehensive Cancer Center following a mandatory tobacco assessment and automatic referral.Methods: A 3-month follow-up survey (via web, paper, or telephone) was administered between March 2013 and November 2013 for all patients referred to and contacted by a cessation support service, and who consented to participation three months prior to administration. Patients were asked about their perceived importance and self-efficacy to quit smoking, quit attempts, and satisfaction with the cessation service.Results: Fifty-two percent (257/499) of patients who participated in the cessation support service, and consented to be contacted again, completed a follow-up survey. Of those who participated, 9.7% were referred to the service as having recently quit tobacco (in the past 30 days) and 23.6% reported having quit at the time of first contact. At the 3-month follow-up, 48.1% reported being smoke-free for the previous seven days. When patients were asked about their experience with the cessation service, 86.4% reported being very or mostly satisfied with the service, and 64.3% reported that their experience with the service increased their satisfaction with the care received at the cancer centre.Conclusions: Our findings suggest that recently diagnosed cancer patients are aware that quitting tobacco is important, are making attempts to quit, and are amenable to an opt-out automatic referral cessation support service as part of their cancer care.

scholarly journals Vasectomy and Risk of Aggressive Prostate Cancer: A 24-Year Follow-Up Study

2014 ◽  
Vol 32 (27) ◽  
pp. 3033-3038 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mohummad Minhaj Siddiqui ◽  
Kathryn M. Wilson ◽  
Mara M. Epstein ◽  
Jennifer R. Rider ◽  
Neil E. Martin ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Specific Antigen ◽  
Prostate Cancer Risk ◽  
The United States ◽  
Low Grade ◽  
High Grade ◽  
Follow Up Study ◽  
Increased Risk

Purpose Conflicting reports remain regarding the association between vasectomy, a common form of male contraception in the United States, and prostate cancer risk. We examined prospectively this association with extended follow-up and an emphasis on advanced and lethal disease. Patients and Methods Among 49,405 US men in the Health Professionals Follow-Up Study, age 40 to 75 years at baseline in 1986, 6,023 patients with prostate cancer were diagnosed during the follow-up to 2010, including 811 lethal cases. In total, 12,321 men (25%) had vasectomies. We used Cox proportional hazards models to estimate the relative risk (RR) and 95% CIs of total, advanced, high-grade, and lethal disease, with adjustment for a variety of possible confounders. Results Vasectomy was associated with a small increased risk of prostate cancer overall (RR, 1.10; 95% CI, 1.04 to 1.17). Risk was elevated for high-grade (Gleason score 8 to 10; RR, 1.22; 95% CI, 1.03 to 1.45) and lethal disease (death or distant metastasis; RR, 1.19; 95% CI, 1.00 to 1.43). Among a subcohort of men receiving regular prostate-specific antigen screening, the association with lethal cancer was stronger (RR, 1.56; 95% CI, 1.03 to 2.36). Vasectomy was not associated with the risk of low-grade or localized disease. Additional analyses suggested that the associations were not driven by differences in sex hormone levels, sexually transmitted infections, or cancer treatment. Conclusion Our data support the hypothesis that vasectomy is associated with a modest increased incidence of lethal prostate cancer. The results do not appear to be due to detection bias, and confounding by infections or cancer treatment is unlikely.

scholarly journals Prostate Cancer-Associated Trousseau´S Syndrome Versus Asymptomatic Isolated Muscular Calf Vein Thrombosis as the Origin of Acute Submassive Pulmonary Embolism: A Case Report and Review of the Literature

2020 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Antonis Tsamaloukas ◽  
Antonis Tsamaloukas ◽  
Aristoteles Giagounidis ◽  
Jan Roigas ◽  
Stefan Glück
Keyword(s):  
Prostate Cancer ◽  
Pulmonary Embolism ◽  
Case Report ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Cancer Type ◽  
Factor Xii ◽  
Vein Thrombosis ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Calf Vein

Venous thromboembolism (VTE) is a major cause of morbidity and mortality in cancer patients. Cancer patients have a four to sevenfold increased risk of VTE compared with non-cancer patients and approximately 20% -30% of all VTE occurs in patients with cancer. Incidence of VTE varies with cancer type and is the highest among patients with metastatic-stage disease. Assessing risk of VTE in the patients with cancer and risk stratification tools as the Khorana score may predict VTE. The highest risk is associated with cancers of the pancreas, stomach, brain, and lung and some hematologic malignancies, whereas lower risks are associated with breast and prostate cancer. The incidence rate ratio (IRR) for prostate cancer is 3.25(2,56 - 4,13) and for pancreas 15.56 (10.50-23.0). We give a case report with a quite perplexing undertaking, where a submassive acute pulmonary embolism (PE) originated from an asymptomatic calf vein thrombosis or intertwined with the Trousseau´s syndrome. Essential Section: One of the authors (A.T) was unexpected faced with the diagnosis of poorly differentiated prostate cancer. There were no signs of the disease, the PSA level was normal. As a retired medical oncologist, he had to care for many patients with prostate cancer and had now to cope with this cancer. To make the matter worse he suffered after the radical prostatectomy a submassive asymptomatic pulmonary embolism. Clinically there were no signs if a deep venous thrombosis. The coincidence of both events without clinical signs of a thrombosis could be caused by the Trousseau´s syndrome. Prostasomes extracellular vesicles synthesizes by prostate cancer cells and secreted into body fluids are prothrombotic by virtue of the expression of polyphosphate-activated coagulation factor XII.

scholarly journals Tragic Triad of Tobacco Dependence, Cancer, and COVID-19 Pandemic: An Urgent Call for Attention by Health Care Systems and Professionals

2022 ◽  
Author(s):  
Cary A. Presant ◽  
Jonjon Macalintal ◽  
Kimlin Tam Ashing ◽  
Sophia Yeung ◽  
Brian Tiep ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Tobacco Cessation ◽  
Burden Of Illness ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Health Care Systems ◽  
Tobacco Dependence ◽  
Adverse Health Effects ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Tobacco Marketing ◽  
Increased Risk ◽  
Care Systems

Tobacco smoke is a well-known carcinogen associated with multiple malignancies. Patients with cancer, as well as survivors, who continue to smoke are at a greater risk for poor cancer treatment outcomes. With the emergence of the COVID-19 pandemic, there is increased frequency and severity of the infection in patients with cancer. Furthermore, smoking and/or vaping increases incidence or likelihood of progression of COVID-19. Cigarette smoking, cancer, and COVID-19 each impose disproportionate burden of illness and death among racial and ethnic minorities. Geographic and population-specific analyses reveal that neighborhoods with lower income and higher minority populations have more tobacco/vape shops and face increased risk associated with tobacco marketing. Referral to tobacco cessation has been reduced during the pandemic. To reduce the adverse health effects of tobacco dependence among patients with cancer during the pandemic, urgent evidence-based solutions are described for health systems and professionals to prioritize tobacco cessation for patients with cancer in the midst of the COVID-19 pandemic, on the basis of cessation implementation at City of Hope Medical Center.

scholarly journals PRISMA Analysis of 30 Day Readmissions to a Tertiary Cancer Hospital

2015 ◽  
Vol 14 (2) ◽  
pp. 53-56
Author(s):  
Timothy Cooksley ◽  
◽  
Hanneke Merten ◽  
John Kellett ◽  
Mikkel Brabrand ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Human Factors ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Quality Indicator ◽  
Hospital Readmission ◽  
Medical Condition ◽  
Hospital Readmissions ◽  
Underlying Condition ◽  
Patients With Cancer ◽  
Cancer Hospital ◽  
Increased Risk

Background: Hospital readmissions are increasingly used as a quality indicator. Patients with cancer have an increased risk of readmission. The purpose of this study was to develop an in depth understanding of the causes of readmissions in patients undergoing cancer treatment using PRISMA methodology and was subsequently used to identify any potentially preventable causes of readmission in this cohort. Methods: 50 consecutive 30 day readmissions from the 1st November 2014 to the medical admissions unit (MAU) at a specialist tertiary cancer hospital in the Northwest of England were analysed retrospectively. Results: 25(50%) of the patients were male with a median age of 59 years (range 19-81). PRISMA analysis showed that active (human) factors contributed to the readmission of 4 (8%) of the readmissions, which may have been potentially preventable. All of the readmissions were driven by a medical condition related to the patient’s underlying cancer and ongoing cancer treatment. Conclusion: The majority of readmissions of patients undergoing cancer treatment appear to be related to the underlying condition and, as such, are predictable but not preventable. This suggests that hospital readmission is not a good quality indicator in this cohort of patients.

Characterization of unplanned 30-day medical oncology readmissions after discharge at an academic medical center with a comprehensive cancer center.

2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (7_suppl) ◽  
pp. 269-269 ◽  
Author(s):  
Inga Tolin Lennes ◽  
Justin Eusebio ◽  
Nie Bohlen ◽  
Margaret Ruddy ◽  
David P. Ryan
Keyword(s):  
Readmission Rate ◽  
Medical Center ◽  
Academic Medical Center ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Unplanned Readmission ◽  
Oncology Patient ◽  
Hematopoietic Stem ◽  
Medical Oncologists ◽  
Increased Risk

269 Background: Hospital readmission rate is increasingly suggested as a quality care metric. Currently there are no standard criteria for an avoidable readmission in oncology. Although patients with cancer have been identified as being at increased risk of readmission, there has been little to examine the reasons for the oncology patient readmission. The aim was to examine the profiles of patients with an unplanned readmission within 30 days after discharge by an oncology provider and to measure the unplanned 30-day readmission rate. Methods: A retrospective review of oncology provider discharge encounters resulting in a 30-day unplanned readmission during the 2012 calendar year at a tertiary hospital with a comprehensive cancer center was conducted. Planned readmissions for chemotherapy, radiation therapy, hematopoietic stem cell transplantation, dialysis, and surgical procedures, as well as readmissions for rehabilitation, hospice, and psychiatry were excluded. Medical oncologists analyzed medical records for the primary reason of readmission and if the readmission was possibly preventable. Results: Of the 2,944 admissions, a final cohort of 441 unplanned readmissions from 321 unique patients for an unplanned 30-day readmission rate of 14.9% was observed. The average age at admission was 59 (SD 15.9). The cohort was mostly male (56.9%) and White/Caucasian (84.4%). Gastrointestinal (24.0%), lymphoma (18.6%), and leukemia (17.5%) were the most common cancer types. Of those with solid tumors types (n = 225), approximately 70% had metastatic disease. The median time to readmission was 10 days and 10.7% died within 30 days of readmission. Oncology reviewers most commonly assessed that readmission was primarily due to treatment-related effects (46.7%) and the progression of disease (42.2%). Approximately 20% of 30-day readmissions were determined to be possibly preventable, representing 3% of all admissions for the year. Conclusions: Oncology patients readmitted within 30-days frequently present with complicated, advanced disease. A review by medical oncologists suggests there is margin for intervention to reduce 30-day unplanned admissions.

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