scholarly journals Experience of diagnosis and time of chemotherapy of women with breast cancer

2021 ◽  
Vol 8 (9) ◽  
pp. 500-514
Author(s):  
Jan Daniel Kellerer ◽  
Magdalena Haun ◽  
Matthias Rohringer
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Emotional Burden ◽  
Literature Research ◽  
Related Information ◽  
Subsequent Period ◽  
Study Results

Breast cancer is one of the most prevalent malignancies in women worldwide and affects all dimensions of health. The aim of this meta-aggregative review is to describe the experience of diagnosis and the subsequent period of therapy of women with breast cancer. Following a systematic literature research, ten publications were included in the meta-aggregative review and the study results were synthesized by categorization. Emotional burden, challenges, psychosocial support, and individual coping strategies were described by affected women, and disease-related information sharing and fulfilment of expectations in health professionals were experienced as unsatisfactory. There is a need for improvement in the context of information and counseling measures by health professionals.

Mental adjustment to cancer and quality of life among women living with breast cancer in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 54 (3) ◽  
pp. 217-230 ◽  
Author(s):  
Nuworza Kugbey ◽  
Anna Meyer-Weitz ◽  
Kwaku Oppong Asante
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Coping Strategies ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Functional Domain ◽  
Cognitive Avoidance ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Emotional Wellbeing ◽  
Cross Sectional Survey

Objective This study examined whether cancer-specific coping strategies have any significant influence on the quality of life of 205 women living with breast cancer in Ghana. Methods Using a cross-sectional survey design, participants were administered questionnaires which measured their cancer-specific coping strategies and health-related quality of life. Results Correlation analysis showed that helplessness-hopelessness negatively correlated with physical wellbeing, emotional wellbeing, functional wellbeing, and breast cancer additional concerns. Anxious preoccupation negatively correlated with all the domains of quality of life, whereas fighting spirit was positively correlated with emotional and functional wellbeing. Cognitive avoidance was positively correlated with functional wellbeing, while fatalism was positively related with all the domains of quality of life. Regression analysis revealed that anxious preoccupation predicted significant decreases in all the domains of quality of life, while helplessness-hopelessness predicted significant decreases in emotional and functional wellbeing domains. However, cognitive avoidance predicted significant increase in the functional domain of quality of life. Conclusion These findings underscore the need for psychosocial support for breast cancer patients to adopt effective coping strategies to deal with their challenges in managing their illness.

Behavioral Health Professionals’ Perceptions on Outcomes of Patient-Controlled Granular Information Sharing Study: Focus Groups and Survey (Preprint)

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julia Ivanova ◽  
Tianyu Tang ◽  
Nassim Idouraine ◽  
Anite Murcko ◽  
Adela Grando ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Focus Groups ◽  
Information Sharing ◽  
Behavioral Health ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Medical Information ◽  
Health Data ◽  
Health Record ◽  
Team Members ◽  
Patient Study ◽  
Actual Patient

BACKGROUND Granular information sharing studies rarely use actual patient electronic health record (EHR) information. In a previous study, behavioral health patients categorized their own EHR data into sensitive categories (e.g. mental health) and chose which care team members (e.g. pharmacists) should have access to those records. In this study, behavioral health professionals are provided access to the outcomes of a previous patient study to better understand the perspectives of health professionals on patient-controlled granular information sharing. OBJECTIVE Assess behavioral health professionals’: (1) perspectives on understanding and opinions about granular information sharing; (2) accuracy in assessing redacted medical information; (3) reactions to patient rationale for health data categorization, assignment of sensitivity, and sharing choices; and (4) recommendations on how to improve the process of granular health information sharing. METHODS Four two-hour focus groups and a pre- and post-survey were conducted at two integrated health facilities. During the focus groups, outcomes from a previous study on patients’ medical record sharing choices were shared. Thematic analysis and descriptive statistical analyses were conducted. RESULTS Twenty-eight professionals were initially unaware of or provided incorrect definitions of granular information sharing (56.0%). After having access to outcomes from a previous patient study, professionals increased their mixed perspectives (21.4% to 37.1%) on granular information sharing. A majority (81.3%) identified that key medical data had been redacted from the study case. Many (66.1%) stated they did not understand patient rationale for categorization or medical sharing preferences. Finally, participants recommended that a variety of educational approaches be incorporated to inform patients about granular information and health record sharing processes. CONCLUSIONS This study provides detailed insights from behavioral health professionals on patient-controlled granular information sharing. Health professionals accurately identified information gaps resulting from patient-directed data redaction, improved in their overall concept comprehension, underscored the fine line between patient safety and patient rights, and expressed a commitment to help patients appreciate the risks and benefits associated with granular information sharing. Outcomes will inform the development, deployment and evaluation of an electronic consent tool for granular health data sharing.

scholarly journals Evaluation of the Use of Shared Decision Making in Breast Cancer: International Survey

2021 ◽  
Vol 18 (4) ◽  
pp. 2128
Author(s):  
Marta Maes-Carballo ◽  
Manuel Martín-Díaz ◽  
Luciano Mignini ◽  
Khalid Saeed Khan ◽  
Rubén Trigueros ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Decision Making ◽  
Shared Decision Making ◽  
Health Professionals ◽  
Cross Sectional Study ◽  
Shared Decision ◽  
Online Questionnaire ◽  
Cross Sectional ◽  
Professional Societies ◽  
New Policies

Objectives: To assess shared decision-making (SDM) knowledge, attitude and application among health professionals involved in breast cancer (BC) treatment. Materials and Methods: A cross-sectional study based on an online questionnaire, sent by several professional societies to health professionals involved in BC management. There were 26 questions which combined demographic and professional data with some items measured on a Likert-type scale. Results: The participation (459/541; 84.84%) and completion (443/459; 96.51%) rates were high. Participants strongly agreed or agreed in 69.57% (16/23) of their responses. The majority stated that they knew of SDM (mean 4.43 (4.36–4.55)) and were in favour of its implementation (mean 4.58 (4.51–4.64)). They highlighted that SDM practice was not adequate due to lack of resources (3.46 (3.37–3.55)) and agreed on policies that improved its implementation (3.96 (3.88–4.04)). The main advantage of SDM for participants was patient satisfaction (38%), and the main disadvantage was the patients’ paucity of knowledge to understand their disease (24%). The main obstacle indicated was the lack of time and resources (40%). Conclusions: New policies must be designed for adequate training of professionals in integrating SDM in clinical practice, preparing them to use SDM with adequate resources and time provided.

scholarly journals Relationship of mammographic densities to breast cancer risk

2021 ◽  
Vol 52 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Engy A. Ali ◽  
Mariam Raafat
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Breast Density ◽  
Statistical Significance ◽  
Significant Risk ◽  
Close Relation ◽  
Mammographic Screening ◽  
Mammographic Breast Density ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Relationship Of ◽  
Mammographic Densities

Abstract Background Our goal was to find out the relation between mammographic densities and cancer of the breast according to the recent ACR classification. From the medical records of Kasereliny Hospital, 49,409 women were subjected to digital mammography for screening, of which 1500 breast cancer cases were collected. The mammographic categories of breast density were ACR-A, B, C, and D, which were detected by two senior radiologists. All radiological classifications were made using both standard mammographic views bilaterally. Two-sided tests of statistical significance were represented by all the P values. Results From 2014 to 2019, 49,409 women came for digital mammographic screening, their age ranges between 40 and 65, and all of them are included in the study. One thousand cases of breast cancer cases were radiologically and pathologically diagnosed. Different densities were arranged in descending pattern depending on the frequency of positive cases: D (13.7%), C (3.3%), B (2.7%), A (2.2%). There is positive significant risk ratio among every higher mammographic density in comparison to the lower density. Conclusion Our study results show that the risk of breast cancer is in close relation to the mammographic breast density.

The value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes and CD8 expression as a predictor of response to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy in invasive breast carcinoma of no special type

2021 ◽  
pp. 1-6
Author(s):  
Upik A. Miskad ◽  
Rizki A. Rifai ◽  
Rina Masadah ◽  
Berti Nelwan ◽  
Djumadi Ahmad ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Immune System ◽  
Breast Carcinoma ◽  
Neoadjuvant Chemotherapy ◽  
Predictive Value ◽  
Disease Free Survival ◽  
Tumor Infiltrating Lymphocytes ◽  
Invasive Breast Carcinoma ◽  
Study Results ◽  
Infiltrating Lymphocytes

BACKGROUND: The immune system is known to play an important role in tumor cell eradication. Although cancer cells were able to escape from the immune system, many studies showed mononuclear inflammatory cell infiltrates known as tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) on breast cancer histopathology specimens showed better prognosis, including in disease-free survival (DFS) and chemotherapy responses. OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to reveal the predictive value of tumor-infiltrating lymphocytes (TILs) levels and CD8 expression in invasive breast carcinoma of no special type patients’ samples on response to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy. METHODS: 75 pre-treatment biopsy samples that were diagnosed as invasive breast carcinoma of no special type were evaluated. TILs level determined following recommendations of International TILs Working Group 2014, CD8 expression assessed semiquantitatively after immunohistochemistry staining. Response to anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy evaluated clinically using Response Evaluation Criteria in Solid Tumours (RECIST) criteria and pathologically by evaluating hematoxylin and eosin (H&E)-stained slides from mastectomy specimens after 3 or 4 cycles of neoadjuvant chemotherapy. RESULTS: Chi-squared analysis showed a significant relationship between TILs level and CD8 expression with chemotherapy responses clinically (p = 0.011 and p = 0.017 respectively) but not pathologically. Furthermore, the logistic regression test exhibit the predictive value of TILs level was 66.7% and CD8 expression was 64%. CONCLUSIONS: This study results suggest that TILs level and CD8 expression may be added as predictive factors to the response of anthracycline-based neoadjuvant chemotherapy, and oncologists may take benefit in breast cancer patient’s management.

scholarly journals The impact of sociodemographic factors on the utilization of radiation therapy in breast cancer patients in Estonia: a register-based study

2021 ◽  
Vol 20 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Fereshteh Shahrabi Farahani ◽  
Keiu Paapsi ◽  
Kaire Innos
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Radiation Therapy ◽  
Cancer Registry ◽  
Psychosocial Support ◽  
Sociodemographic Factors ◽  
Stage I ◽  
Equal Access ◽  
Administrative Databases ◽  
The Impact ◽  
Over Time

Abstract Background Radiation therapy is an important part of multimodal breast cancer treatment. The aim was to examine the impact of sociodemographic factors on radiation therapy use in breast cancer (BC) patients in Estonia, linking cancer registry data to administrative databases. Methods Estonian Cancer Registry provided data on women diagnosed with BC in Estonia in 2007–2018, including TNM stage at diagnosis. Use of radiation therapy within 12 months of diagnosis was determined from Estonian Health Insurance Funds claims, and sociodemographic characteristics from population registry. Receipt of radiation therapy was evaluated over time and by clinical and sociodemographic factors. Poisson regression with robust variance was used to calculate univariate and multivariate prevalence rate ratios (PRR) with 95 % confidence intervals (CI) for receipt of radiation therapy among stage I–III BC patients age < 70 years who underwent primary surgery. Results Overall, of 8637 women included in the study, 4310 (50 %) received radiation therapy within 12 months of diagnosis. This proportion increased from 39 to 58 % from 2007 to 2009 to 2016–2018 (p < 0.001). Multivariate regression analysis showed that compared to women with stage I BC, those with more advanced stage were less likely to receive radiation therapy. Receipt of radiation therapy increased significantly over time and was nearly 40 % higher in 2016–2018 than in 2007–2009. Use of radiation therapy was significantly lower for women with the lowest level of education compared to those with a university degree (PRR 0.88, 95 % CI 0.80–0.97), and for divorced/widowed women (PRR 0.95, 95 % CI 0.91–0.99) and single women (PRR 0.92, 95 % CI 0.86–0.99), compared to married women. Age at diagnosis, nationality and place of residence were not associated with receipt of radiation therapy. Conclusions The study showed considerable increase in the use of radiation therapy in Estonia over the study period, which is in line with increases in available equipment. The lack of geographic variations suggests equal access to therapy for patients living in remote regions. However, educational level and marital status were significantly associated with receipt of radiation therapy, highlighting the importance of psychosocial support in ensuring equal access to care.

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