scholarly journals Perceptions and Barriers of Survivorship Care in Asia: Perceptions From Asian Breast Cancer Survivors

2017 ◽  
Vol 3 (2) ◽  
pp. 98-104 ◽  
Author(s):  
Alexandre Chan ◽  
Zheng Kang Lum ◽  
Terence Ng ◽  
Tewodros Eyob ◽  
Xiao Jun Wang ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Focus Group Discussions ◽  
Group Discussions

Purpose With the long-term goal to optimize post-treatment cancer care in Asia, we conducted a qualitative study to gather in-depth descriptions from multiethnic Asian breast cancer survivors on their perceptions and experiences of cancer survivorship and their perceived barriers to post-treatment follow-up. Methods Twenty-four breast cancer survivors in Singapore participated in six structured focus group discussions. The focus group discussions were voice recorded, transcribed verbatim, and analyzed by thematic analysis. Results Breast cancer survivors were unfamiliar with and disliked the term “survivorship,” because it implies that survivors had undergone hardship during their treatment. Cognitive impairment and peripheral neuropathy were physical symptoms that bothered survivors the most, and many indicated that they experienced emotional distress during survivorship, for which they turned to religion and peers as coping strategies. Survivors indicated lack of consultation time and fear of unplanned hospitalization as main barriers to optimal survivorship care. Furthermore, survivors indicated that they preferred receipt of survivorship care at the specialty cancer center. Conclusion Budding survivorship programs in Asia must take survivor perspectives into consideration to ensure that survivorship care is fully optimized within the community.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the delivery of survivorship care plans for South Asian female breast cancer survivors residing in Canada

2018 ◽  
Vol 25 (4) ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Singh-Carlson ◽  
F. Wong ◽  
G. Oshan
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
South Asian ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Family Members ◽  
Female Breast Cancer ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Female Breast

Background This paper focuses on phase iii of a study evaluating the development and implementation of a survivorship care plan (scp) that could ultimately improve post-treatment quality of life for South Asian (sa) breast cancer survivors (bcss). Evaluating the utility of the scp was important to understand how sociocultural influences might affect uptake of the scp by sa bcss, especially as they transition from treatment to community care.Methods Post-treatment discharge planning using an individualized scp at discharge for sa female breast cancer patients with stage i or ii disease was offered as a pilot service to oncologists at BC Cancer’s Fraser Valley and Abbotsford centres. A longitudinal study using a mixed-methods approach was used to evaluate the utility of that service at 1 year after discharge.Results Participants (n = 16) completed a survey about their scp delivery experience, and a 1-year post implementation survey about the scp content and its utility. Most participants reported the discharge appointments to be extremely or very helpful with respect to post-treatment care questions. All have visited their family physicians for follow-up as recommended. The three major sources of support were family, faith, and family physician. Qualitative responses from the health care professionals who developed or implemented the scps identified two challenges in scp delivery: engaging patients or family members in relationship, and translating key information through interpreters.Conclusions It is important to evaluate the utility of scps for sa female survivors, who might differ from the general bcs population because of a different understanding of the disease; language barriers; strong influence of family members; societal stigmas; and personal, social, cultural, and religious beliefs and values. A formal nurse-led discharge appointment with discussions about follow-up care and an individualized scp outlining the short- and long-term effects of treatment are recommended. Particular attention has to be paid to the practical and psychosocial needs of sa bcss and their supporting family members.

scholarly journals Survivorship Care Focus Group Discussions for Breast Cancer Survivors and Primary Care Clinicians

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-4
Author(s):  
Hillary Klonoff-Cohen ◽  
Hillary Klonoff-Cohen ◽  
Mounika Polavarapu
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Primary Care ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Nurse Practitioners ◽  
Late Effects ◽  
Primary Care Physicians ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Psychological Consequences

Purpose: This is the first pilot study to examine survivors’ experiences and primary care physicians and nurse practitioners’ knowledge and behaviour practices with respect to late effects (e.g., fatigue, chemobrain, lymphodema, cardiac problems, reproductive, infertility and sexual health issues, bone problems, and pain). Methods: Two separate focus groups consisting of 5 breast cancer survivors and 5 primary care physicians and nurse practitioners recruited from a local hospital in Central Illinois answered predetermined questions about cancer survivorship care. We intentionally limited the sample in order to conduct a detailed discussion (90 minutes) to gain every participant’s perspective. Results: Breast cancer survivors expressed a void in discussion and lack of knowledge among their primary care physicians regarding late effects as well as psychological consequences, referrals to support groups, and availability of resources (e.g., finances), thereby negatively affecting survivors’ quality of life. A primary care clinician (PCC) focus group revealed a service gap for mental health services for all patients, knowledge deficit about late effects, and lack of awareness of patient resources. Both cancer survivors and PCCs were extremely supportive about a shared care survivorship model between oncology and primary care. All focus group participants were unequivocally receptive about enhancing survivorship care throughout a cancer survivor’s lifetime. Conclusion: Complementing cancer survivorship care with primary care clinicians in the areas of late effects, in addition to psychological consequences, screening, and lifestyle habits will enhance a cancer survivor’s health-related quality of life.

Sleep problems in breast cancer survivors 1–10 years posttreatment

2017 ◽  
Vol 16 (3) ◽  
pp. 325-334 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amy E. Lowery-Allison ◽  
Steven D. Passik ◽  
Matthew R. Cribbet ◽  
Ruth A. Reinsel ◽  
Barbara O'Sullivan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Sleep Problems ◽  
Physical Symptoms ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Comprehensive Cancer Center ◽  
Cancer Center ◽  
Vasomotor Symptoms ◽  
Poor Sleep

ABSTRACTObjective:Sleep can affect quality of life (QoL) during cancer survivorship, and symptoms related to poor sleep can be exacerbated. We examined the prevalence, severity, and nature of subjective sleep complaints in women surviving stage I–III breast cancer who were 1–10 years posttreatment. We also examined the demographic, medical, physical, and psychosocial correlates of poor sleep in these women in order to identify the subgroups that may be most in need of intervention.Method:A total of 200 patients at a comprehensive cancer center who were 1–10 years posttreatment for primary stage I–III breast cancer with no evidence of disease at the time of enrollment completed a battery of questionnaires on demographics, sleep, physical symptoms, mood, cancer-specific fears, and QoL.Results:The women had a mean age of 57 years (SD = 10.0), with a mean of 63.3 months (SD = 28.8) of post-cancer treatment. Some 38% of these patients were identified as having poor-quality sleep. Women with poor sleep took longer to fall asleep, had more awakenings, and acquired 2 hours less sleep per night than those with good sleep. They also had a lower QoL, greater severity of pain, more concerns about health and recurrence, and increased vasomotor symptoms (p < 0.05). Daytime sleepiness and depression were found to be not significantly correlated with sleep quality.Significance of results:Many breast cancer survivors had severe subjective insomnia, and several breast cancer survivor subgroups were identified as having members who might be most in need of sleep-improvement interventions. Addressing physical symptoms (e.g., vasomotor symptoms and pain) and providing education about the behavioral, social, environmental, and medical factors that affect sleep could result in substantial improvement in the life course of breast cancer survivors.

scholarly journals Developing a post-treatment survivorship care plan to help breast cancer survivors understand their fertility

2017 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 589-595 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jessica R. Gorman ◽  
Anne K. Julian ◽  
Samantha A. Roberts ◽  
Sally A. D. Romero ◽  
Jennifer L. Ehren ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Care Plan ◽  
Survivorship Care Plan ◽  
Survivorship Care

scholarly journals Perspectives of Survivorship Care Plans Among Older Breast Cancer Survivors: A Pilot Study

2020 ◽  
Vol 27 (1) ◽  
pp. 107327482091720
Author(s):  
Jessica L. Krok-Schoen ◽  
Michelle J. Naughton ◽  
Anne M. Noonan ◽  
Janell Pisegna ◽  
Jennifer DeSalvo ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Health Care ◽  
Pilot Study ◽  
Focus Groups ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Survivorship Care Plan ◽  
Survivorship Care ◽  
Care Providers ◽  
Term Care

The Commission on Cancer’s standard 3.3 represents a paradigm shift in the care of cancer survivors, recommending that survivors receive a treatment summary and survivorship care plan (SCPs). A focus on older breast cancer survivors is needed, as they are the majority of the breast cancer population and their experiences and perspectives of SCPs is limited in the literature. This pilot study utilized a mixed methods approach (focus groups and self-report questionnaire data) to gather information on older (≥65 years) breast cancer survivors’ perspectives of their SCPs, cancer survivorship, and communication with their health-care providers. The questionnaire was completed individually by the participants prior to the focus group and contained items on basic demographics and their health status following cancer treatment. The focus groups indicated that only a minority of women actually developed a SCP. Those who developed a SCP in collaboration with their providers valued the personal care and attention received. However, some participants reported poor communication with their providers and within their health-care team, resulting in frustration and confusion. Participants’ suggestions for ideal SCPs included better education and personalization, particularly in appropriate nutrition and exercise, and managing side effects and comorbidities. Lastly, the women believed that additional long-term care resources, such as health coaches, were important in improving their survivorship. These findings provide insight into enhancing the content, communication, and application of SCPs to improve the survivorship experience of older breast cancer survivors.

Experiences of Asian Women Who Live in Urban Environments and Are Breast Cancer Survivors

2021 ◽  
pp. 104365962098877
Author(s):  
Carolee Polek ◽  
Thomas Hardie ◽  
Janet A. Deatrick
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Health Literacy ◽  
Focus Group ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Generational Differences ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Community Outreach ◽  
Asian Women ◽  
Semistructured Interview ◽  
Outreach Workers

Introduction Despite expanding interest in cancer survivorship, little is known about urban Asian breast cancer survivors whose experience may differ from those in suburban and rural locations. This study explores survivors’ challenges to maximize outcomes and identify common and unique themes among urban Asian survivors. Information was obtained from the survivors and outreach workers from their community. Methodology Descriptive qualitative methods including semistructured interview guides were used to plan, conduct, and analyze both individual interviews of Asian women ( n = 6) and a focus group ( n = 7) composed of community outreach workers. Results The interview and focus group findings, endorsed themes of communication/language, trust, and privacy, with generational differences. Poor health literacy in both survivors and providers was identified. Discussion Nurses are in a unique position to use the themes identified to both assist survivors expand their health literacy and lobby for resources for providers to promote culturally congruent care.

scholarly journals Effect of Tai Chi Chuan practice on immune system and pro-metastasis markers in early post-treatment breast cancer survivors

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 013-019
Author(s):  
Mary NB Cheung ◽  
Wings Tjing Yung Loo
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Cancer Survivors ◽  
Breast Cancer Survivors ◽  
Tai Chi ◽  
Complete Blood Count ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Control Group ◽  
Wait List ◽  
Tai Chi Chuan

Purpose: To investigate the effect of Tai Chi Chuan (TCC) to improve immune system and decrease pro-metastasis markers in early post-treatment breast cancer survivors. Methods: 130 post-treatment breast cancer survivors were recruited and randomized 1:1 into TCC group and wait-list (control) group. The TCC group practiced for a 60-minutes session once per week, for a total of 52 weeks. 115 forms of Yang-style TCC were taught by a Tai Chi master. Blood samples were taken from each subject and complete blood count was performed. The expressions of NKG2D protein, P-selectin, and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) in plasma were measured. Lymphocyte activity was measured by cell proliferation reagent and ATP assay. Images of lymphocyte colony formation were taken with an inverted microscope. Results: At 52 weeks, TCC group demonstrated a significantly higher WBC (p=0.001) , a significantly higher NKG2D value (p=0.001) and a significantly lower VEGF value (p=0.005) when compared to the wait-list group. However, there was a small, non-significant change for P-selectin values between the breast cancer survivor groups. After 72h incubation, TCC group had a significant increase in lymphocyte proliferation (p=0.001) and greater area of lymphocyte clusters or colonies (p=0.001). Conclusion: The practice of TCC could stimulate tumor immunosurveillance via NKG2D and activate the immune response. VEGF, a marker playing an important role in breast cancer and its metastases, was also reduced in those who practiced TCC. As an alternative for conventional exercise, post-treatment breast cancer survivors may select TCC in their rehabilitation program.

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