scholarly journals A literature review to investigate the link between psychosocial characteristics and treatment adherence in cancer patients

2012 ◽  
pp. e5
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Theofilou ◽  
Helen Panagiotaki
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Psychosocial Characteristics ◽  
Adherence To Medication ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Positive Effect

Adherence to medication has been recognized as a key issue in health outcomes and efforts to improve patients’ adherence are being made by the pharmaceutical industry, experts, and government bodies alike. This paper presents a review of these issues according to previous descriptive findings. Relevant studies written in English, published in 1976 or later, were identified through Medline, Embase and PsycInfo databases and reviewed. Review articles and clinical trials were excluded; all observational studies and surveys were considered. Articles were reviewed for any discussion of patients’ characteristics and psychosocial characteristics affecting adherence to cancer treatment. The search strategy included a combination of key words adherence and cancer in titles. The major findings are summarized and presented under two main headings: i) patients’ characteristics; and ii) psychosocial characteristics. In general, factors associated with increased likelihood of adherence to cancer treatment included younger age, higher education, higher income and Caucasian ethnicity. With regards to the psychosocial factors, lower levels of depression and anxiety, optimism as well as social support seemed to have a positive effect on treatment adherence. Studies of patterns of care in cancer treatment can help identify challenges in health care provided to particular subgroups of cancer patients and can aid researchers in designing studies that account for such factors in clinical and outcomes’ research.

scholarly journals A literature review to investigate the link between psychosocial characteristics and treatment adherence in cancer patients

2012 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Paraskevi Theofilou ◽  
Helen Panagiotaki
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Observational Studies ◽  
Search Strategy ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Psychosocial Characteristics ◽  
Adherence To Medication ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Positive Effect

Adherence to medication has been recognized as a key issue in health outcomes and efforts to improve patients’ adherence are being made by the pharmaceutical industry, experts, and government bodies alike. This paper presents a review of these issues according to previous descriptive findings. Relevant studies written in English, published in 1976 or later, were identified through Medline, Embase and PsycInfo databases and reviewed. Review articles and clinical trials were excluded; all observational studies and surveys were considered. Articles were reviewed for any discussion of patients’ characteristics and psychosocial characteristics affecting <em>adherence</em> to <em>cancer</em> treatment. The search strategy included a combination of key words adherence and cancer in titles. The major findings are summarized and presented under two main headings: i) patients’ characteristics; and ii) psychosocial characteristics. In general, factors associated with increased likelihood of adherence to cancer treatment included younger age, higher education, higher income and Caucasian ethnicity. With regards to the psychosocial factors, lower levels of depression and anxiety, optimism as well as social support seemed to have a positive effect on treatment adherence. Studies of patterns of care in cancer treatment can help identify challenges in health care provided to particular subgroups of cancer patients and can aid researchers in designing studies that account for such factors in clinical and outcomes’ research.

Targeted Treatment for Cognitive Impairment Associated with Cancer and Cancer Treatment

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shelli R. Kesler ◽  
Jeffrey S. Wefel
Keyword(s):  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cognitive Impairment ◽  
Health Behavior ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Management Strategies ◽  
Future Research ◽  
Cognitive Difficulty

Cognitive difficulty is one of the most common quality-of-life complaints among cancer patients and survivors. Cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) is a common problem among cancer patients and survivors that extends disease-related morbidity; reduces quality of life; interferes with treatment adherence; and is a significant predictor of health behavior, disease progression, and survival. Several emerging management strategies for CRCI show promise for preventing and/or ameliorating CRCI. This chapter describes the incidence, symptoms, and putative mechanisms of CRCI and then discusses potential approaches for addressing CRCI. The focus of the interventions discussed in this chapter is on directions for future research that will potentially lead to widely accessible, effective, and ecologically valid approaches.

Suicide ideation versus suicide attempt: Examining overlapping and differential determinants in a large cohort of patients with depression and/or anxiety

2020 ◽  
pp. 000486742095125
Author(s):  
Jasper XM Wiebenga ◽  
Merijn Eikelenboom ◽  
Henriette D Heering ◽  
Patricia van Oppen ◽  
Brenda WJH Penninx
Keyword(s):  
Anxiety Disorder ◽  
Suicide Attempt ◽  
Childhood Trauma ◽  
Suicide Ideation ◽  
Age Of Onset ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Psychosocial Characteristics ◽  
Younger Age ◽  
Lower Education ◽  
Suicidal Patients

Objective: Individuals with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder are known to have an elevated risk of suicide. However, these diagnoses alone are insufficient at differentiating patients with suicide ideation that attempt suicide from those that do not. Few studies examined such differences in an ideation-to-action framework. Using this framework, extensive multivariate testing was performed to examine differences between suicidal patients with and without a suicide attempt. Method: Data were from 1576 respondents with a depressive and/or anxiety disorder, participating in the Netherlands Study of Depression and Anxiety. Logistic regression analyses were used to analyze associations between sociodemographic, clinical, personality, and psychosocial risk factors and suicide ideation and attempt. Results: Patients with suicide ideation could be uniquely distinguished from non-suicidal patients by more years of education, presence of a depressive disorder (vs anxiety disorder) and higher introversion. Patients with suicide ideation and a past suicide attempt could be uniquely distinguished from non-suicidal patients by a younger age of onset, a lifetime alcohol use disorder, more external locus of control and lower levels of social support. Within the group of patients with suicide ideation, patients with a suicide attempt were more likely to have childhood trauma and lower education, and be of non-Western descent than patients with suicide ideation and no past attempt. Conclusion: This study found that although various clinical, personality and psychosocial characteristics distinguish patients with suicide ideation from non-suicidal patients, many of these often-cited factors do not distinguish patients with a suicide attempt from those who only think about suicide. However, childhood trauma, lower education and non-Western descent could aid in detecting suicide attempt risk among patients with suicide ideation.

scholarly journals A Virtual Pet Serious Game in Motivating Children with Cancer in Treatment and Self-Care: A Conceptual Design

2020 ◽  
Vol 26 (2) ◽  
pp. 6-19
Author(s):  
Carmen, Wang Er Chai ◽  
Bee Theng Lau ◽  
Abdullah Al Mahmud ◽  
Mark Tee Kit Tsun
Keyword(s):  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Childhood Cancer ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Treatment Adherence ◽  
Observational Learning ◽  
Serious Games ◽  
Self Care ◽  
Balanced Diet ◽  
Target Treatment ◽  
Future Work

Childhood cancer is the number one cause of death by illness in children. However, despite being such a deadly disease, survival from childhood cancer is high with cancer treatment. Unfortunately, undergoing cancer treatment can result in many treatments related side-effects. Daily self-care such as maintaining a balanced diet, drinking enough fluids, practicing proper hygiene and getting enough rest, can be effective in lowering the severity of these symptoms. It is found that existing interventions for cancer patients do not target treatment adherence in children. Therefore, the aim of the research is to design an intervention which is able to motivate children to adhere to treatment and encourage daily self-care. To enhance the design of such an intervention, the article explores the potential of virtual pet games as a health intervention, and the use of the Protection Motivation Theory and Social Learning Theory’s observational learning in increasing the intervention’s effectiveness. Finally, the design considerations, game objectives and overall conceptual architecture of the proposed intervention are discussed. A conceptual comparison is also made between the proposed game and existing serious games for cancer patients. Future work is required to develop this design into a working prototype, and to evaluate its effectiveness on improving treatment adherence and promoting daily self-care with childhood cancer patients.

scholarly journals Assessment of Anxiety and Depression Among Breast Cancer Patients in Ghana

2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 99s-99s
Author(s):  
K.A. Kyei
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Mixed Method ◽  
Qualitative Data ◽  
Well Being ◽  
Breast Cancer Treatment ◽  
Anxiety And Depression ◽  
Depression And Anxiety ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients

Background: Cancer of the breast happens to be one of the most important diseases worldwide and in Ghana, accounts for the highest referral at the study site. The treatment of breast cancer has evolved over the years offering patients high rates of survival. What is missing in the literature are studies that focus on determining levels of depression and anxiety and how this assessment will impact treatment outcome for breast cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Hence, recognizing a better understanding in this study will promote positive social change in three different ways. First, it will serve the cancer population especially patients undergoing breast cancer treatment to manage depression and anxiety. Second, it will enhance efforts for coping and finally increase the overall quality of life of these patients undergoing treatment. Aim: This study aims to find various interventions for depression and anxiety among breast cancer patients in Ghana. Methods: The author used a mixed method design to gather both quantitative and qualitative data. The qualitative data were an interview with selected working participants whiles the quantitative data were a nonprobabilistic approach using a structured questionnaire. This mixed method was a triangulation that described how the interviews supported and confirmed the responses from the patient participants. There was an evaluation of the relationships with a combination of two modified scales, Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ) and Depression Anxiety Stress Scale (DASS). The sample consisted of 100 patients between the ages of 20-89, and six professionals with a minimum of five years' work experience. Results: Findings of this study indicated the need intervene through counseling and education on behalf of patients in Ghana as they undergo breast cancer treatment. Age and monthly income of patients were statistically significant in predicting the anxiety and depression among the patients. The R (0.397) value was less than 0.5, which depicted that the alternate hypothesis could be accepted. The independent variables significantly predicted the anxiety and depression. Conclusion: The study illustrates a need to understand how breast cancer patients in Ghana go through treatment with the high impact of anxiety and depression with treatment which affects total well-being and life after treatment. Although interventions and management should be available to breast cancer patients with anxiety and depression undergoing treatment of their coping with the burden of the disease, a striking improvement in the survival of patients could be achieved when proper systems are put in place by the Ministry of Health and the government.

scholarly journals Prolonged SARS-CoV-2-RNA Detection from Nasopharyngeal Swabs in an Oncologic Patient: What Impact on Cancer Treatment?

2021 ◽  
Vol 28 (1) ◽  
pp. 847-852
Author(s):  
Anna Ferrari ◽  
Marco Trevenzoli ◽  
Lolita Sasset ◽  
Elisabetta Di Liso ◽  
Toni Tavian ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Lung Cancer ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Clinical Symptoms ◽  
Palliative Radiotherapy ◽  
Rt Pcr ◽  
Cancer Treatments ◽  
Global Challenge ◽  
Viral Culture ◽  
Pcr Assays

The pandemic of SARS-CoV-2 is a serious global challenge affecting millions of people worldwide. Cancer patients are at risk for infection exposure and serious complications. A prompt diagnosis of SARS-CoV-2 infection is crucial for the timely adoption of isolation measures and the appropriate management of cancer treatments. In lung cancer patients the symptoms of infection 19 may resemble those exhibited by the underlying oncologic condition, possibly leading to diagnostic overlap and delays. Moreover, cancer patients might display a prolonged positivity of nasopharyngeal RT-PCR assays for SARS-CoV-2, causing long interruptions or delay of cancer treatments. However, the association between the positivity of RT-PCR assays and the patient’s infectivity remains uncertain. We describe the case of a patient with non-small cell lung cancer, and a severe ab extrinseco compression of the trachea, whose palliative radiotherapy was delayed because of the prolonged positivity of nasopharyngeal swabs for SARS-CoV-2. The patient did not show clinical symptoms suggestive of active infection, but the persistent positivity of RT-PCR assays imposed the continuation of isolation measures and the delay of radiotherapy for over two months. Finally, the negative result of SARS-CoV-2 viral culture allowed us to verify the absence of viral activity and to rule out the infectivity of the patient, who could finally continue her cancer treatment.

scholarly journals Zinc as a complementary treatment for cancer patients: a systematic review

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Hoppe ◽  
S. Kutschan ◽  
J. Dörfler ◽  
J. Büntzel ◽  
J. Büntzel ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Systematic Review ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Survival Data ◽  
Positive Impact ◽  
Oral Intake ◽  
Quality Reporting ◽  
Evidenced Based

AbstractZinc is a trace element that plays an important role in the immune system and cell growth. The role of zinc in cancer treatment has been discussed for some time, however without reaching an evidenced-based consensus. Therefore, we aim to critically examine and review existing evidence on the role of zinc during cancer treatment. In January 2019, a systematic search was conducted searching five electronic databases (Embase, Cochrane, PsychINFO, CINAHL and PubMed) to find studies concerning the use, effectiveness and potential harm of zinc therapy on cancer patients. Out of initial 5244 search results, 19 publications concerning 23 studies with 1230 patients were included in this systematic review. The patients treated with zinc were mainly diagnosed with head and neck cancer and underwent chemo-, radio- or concurrent radio-chemotherapy. Interventions included the intake of different amounts of zinc supplements and oral zinc rinses. Outcomes (primary endpoints) investigated were mucositis, xerostomia, dysgeusia, pain, weight, dermatitis and oral intake of nutrients. Secondary endpoints were survival data, quality of life assessments and aspects of fatigue, immune responses and toxicities of zinc. The studies were of moderate quality reporting heterogeneous results. Studies have shown a positive impact on the mucositis after radiotherapy. No protection was seen against mucositis after chemotherapy. There was a trend to reduced loss of taste, less dry mouth and oral pain after zinc substitution. No impact was seen on weight, QoL measurements, fatigue, and survival. The risk of side effects from zinc appears to be relatively small. Zinc could be useful in the prevention of oral toxicities during irradiation. It does not help in chemotherapy-induced side effects.

scholarly journals Effects of cancer treatment on household impoverishment: a multicentre cross-sectional study in China

BMJ Open ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (6) ◽  
pp. e044322
Author(s):  
Wenqi Fu ◽  
Jufang Shi ◽  
Xin Zhang ◽  
Chengcheng Liu ◽  
Chengyao Sun ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Health Insurance ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cancer Patients ◽  
Social Health Insurance ◽  
Poverty Line ◽  
Post Treatment ◽  
Social Health ◽  
Daily Consumption ◽  
Out Of Pocket Payments ◽  
Per Capita

ObjectivesTo determine the incidence and intensity of household impoverishment induced by cancer treatment in China.DesignAverage income and daily consumption per capita of the households and out-of-pocket payments for cancer care were estimated. Household impoverishment was determined by comparing per capita daily consumption against the Chinese poverty line (CPL, US$1.2) and the World Bank poverty line (WBPL, US$1.9) for 2015. Both pre-treatment and post-treatment consumptions were calculated assuming that the households would divert daily consumption money to pay for cancer treatment.ParticipantsCancer patients diagnosed initially from 1 January 2015 to 31 December 2016 who had received cancer treatment subsequently. Those with multiple cancer diagnoses were excluded.Data sourcesA household questionnaire survey was conducted on 2534 cancer patients selected from nine hospitals in seven provinces through two-stage cluster/convenience sampling.Findings5.89% (CPL) to 12.94% (WBPL) households were impoverished after paying for cancer treatment. The adjusted OR (AOR) of post-treatment impoverishment was higher for older patients (AOR=2.666–4.187 for ≥50 years vs <50 years, p<0.001), those resided in central region (AOR=2.619 vs eastern, p<0.01) and those with lower income (AOR=0.024–0.187 in higher income households vs the lowest 20%, p<0.001). The patients without coverage from social health insurance had higher OR (AOR=1.880, p=0.040) of experiencing post-treatment household impoverishment than those enrolled with the insurance for urban employees. Cancer treatment is associated with an increase of 5.79% (CPL) and 12.45% (WBPL) in incidence of household impoverishment. The median annual consumption gap per capita underneath the poverty line accumulated by the impoverished households reached US$128 (CPL) or US$212 (WBPL). US$31 170 395 (CPL) or US$115 238 459 (WBPL) were needed to avoid household impoverishment induced by cancer treatment in China.ConclusionsThe financial burden of cancer treatment imposes a significant risk of household impoverishment despite wide coverage of social health insurance in China.

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