fear of recurrence
Recently Published Documents


TOTAL DOCUMENTS

228
(FIVE YEARS 81)

H-INDEX

31
(FIVE YEARS 3)

10.2196/32458 ◽  
2022 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. e32458
Author(s):  
Jennifer Huberty ◽  
Nishat Bhuiyan ◽  
Taylor Neher ◽  
Lynda Joeman ◽  
Ruben Mesa ◽  
...  

Background Mobile meditation apps may offer a long-term, accessible, and effective solution for ongoing symptom management in cancer patients/survivors. However, there are currently no commercial cancer-specific meditation apps that reflect cancer specialist expertise, input from cancer patients/survivors, and features and content specific to cancer patients’/survivors’ needs. Objective The aim of this study was to gain insight (via surveys, daily journals, and focus groups) from cancer patients/survivors, health care providers, and current subscribers of Calm (a consumer-based mobile meditation app) who were patients/survivors to develop a prototype of a mobile meditation app specifically designed for cancer patients/survivors. Methods Participants were recruited via prior partnerships, word-of-mouth referrals, and recruitment posts on Facebook and Instagram. Cancer patients/survivors and health care providers were instructed to download and use the Calm app for at least 10 minutes a day for 7 days, complete an online daily journal for 7 days, and participate in a virtual focus group (one for cancer patients/survivors and one for providers). Current Calm subscribers who were cancer patients/survivors completed an online survey about different aspects of the Calm app and participated in a third virtual focus group. Data were qualitatively analyzed using a combination of deductive and inductive coding. Results A total of 27 participants (11 cancer patients/survivors, 10 health care providers, 6 current Calm subscribers) completed the study. Similar themes and subthemes were found across surveys, daily journals, and focus groups, and fell into two major categories, content and functionality, with cancer-specific and noncancer-specific themes identified within each category. The majority of content preferences and suggestions that arose were cancer-specific, such as content related to negative emotions or feelings (eg, anxiety, grief, trauma/posttraumatic stress disorder, fear of recurrence, isolation), positive feelings and finding meaning (eg, gratitude, storytelling, acceptance), scenarios and experiences (eg, waiting, treatment-specific mediations), type and stage of cancer journey, and movement modifications. Some of the noncancer-specific themes under app content included sleep, music, and visualizations. In terms of app functionality, the majority of participants expressed interest in having a section/tab/area of the app that was specifically geared toward cancer patients/survivors. Preferences and suggestions for cancer-specific functionality features included options based on symptoms or journey, being able to communicate with other patients or survivors to share suggestions for specific meditations, and having an emergency toolkit for patients/survivors. Conclusions Findings from cancer patients/survivors, health care providers, and current Calm subscribers who were patients/survivors to be incorporated into the development of the prototype fell into two major categories: (1) content of the app and (2) functionality of the app. The prototype’s form and function will be pilot-tested among 30 cancer patients/survivors in a 4-week study, and the resulting feasibility data will be used to inform the final app design and an efficacy study.


Author(s):  
Kyung Ah Park ◽  
Sanghee Kim ◽  
Eui Geum Oh ◽  
Heejung Kim ◽  
Hang-Seok Chang ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose The purpose of this study was to identify differences in factors affecting health-promoting behaviors according to the survival stage of thyroid cancer survivors. Methods This descriptive cross-sectional study analyzed data from 354 thyroid cancer survivors after diagnosis. The survivors were divided into three stages: (1) the acute stage (< 2 years after diagnosis), (2) extended stage (2–5 years after diagnosis), and (3) permanent stage (≥ 5 years after diagnosis). To measure health-promoting behavior, the revised Korean version of the Health Promoting Lifestyle Profile questionnaires was used. The factors affecting the health-promoting behavior included social support, self-efficacy, fear of recurrence, and symptoms. Multiple regression analysis was used to analyze factors affecting the health-promoting behavior according to survival stage. Result The factors affecting the health-promoting behavior of thyroid cancer survivors differed by survival stage. In the acute stage, the factors of health-promoting behavior were self-efficacy (t = 4.76, p < .001) and social support (t = 3.54, p < .001). In the extended stage, symptoms (t =  − 3.65, p < .001), social support (t = 2.61, p = .011), fear of recurrence (t = 2.18, p = .032), and receipt of radioiodine treatment (t =  − 2.18, p = .032) were found to be significant variables that affected health-promoting behaviors. In the permanent stage, social support (t = 2.79, p = .007), receipt of radioiodine treatment (t =  − 3.21, p = .002), and age (t =  − 2.77, p = .007) were significant variables that affected health-promoting behaviors. Conclusion The experience of thyroid cancer survivors varies as they progress through the survival stages; thus, health-promotion interventions should be tailored to each survival stage.


Author(s):  
Olufikayo O. Bamidele ◽  
Obrey Alexis ◽  
Motolani Ogunsanya ◽  
Sarah Greenley ◽  
Aaron Worsley ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To synthesise findings from published studies on barriers and facilitators to Black men accessing and utilising post-treatment psychosocial support after prostate cancer (CaP) treatment. Methods Searches of Medline, Embase, PsycInfo, Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews and Central, CINAHL plus and Scopus were undertaken from inception to May 2021. English language studies involving Black men aged ≥18 and reporting experiences of, or suggestions for, psychosocial support after CaP treatment were included. Low or moderate quality studies were excluded. Searches identified 4,453 articles and following deduplication, 2,325 were screened for eligibility. Two independent reviewers carried out screening, quality appraisal and data extraction. Data were analysed using thematic synthesis. Results Ten qualitative studies involving 139 Black men were included. Data analysis identified four analytical constructs: experience of psychosocial support for dealing with treatment side effects (including impact on self-esteem and fear of recurrence); barriers to use of psychosocial support (such as perceptions of masculinity and stigma around sexual dysfunction); facilitators to use of psychosocial support (including the influence of others and self-motivation); and practical solutions for designing and delivering post-treatment psychosocial support (the need for trusted healthcare and cultural channels). Conclusions Few intervention studies have focused on behaviours among Black CaP survivors, with existing research predominantly involving Caucasian men. There is a need for a collaborative approach to CaP care that recognises not only medical expertise but also the autonomy of Black men as experts of their illness experience, and the influence of cultural and social networks.


2021 ◽  
Vol 71 (6) ◽  
pp. 1947-49
Author(s):  
Ayesha Khan ◽  
Afroz Mushtaq ◽  
Syeda Rifaat Qamar Naqvi ◽  
Razia Bano ◽  
Fahad Ali Khan ◽  
...  

Objective: To determine patient preferences in the surgical options of early breast cancers and surgeon’s role in the decisionmaking. Study Design: cross-sectional study. Place and Duration of Study: Breast Surgery Department, Combined Military Hospital Rawalpindi Pakistan, from Nov 2020 to May 2021. Methodology: Patients having early carcinoma breast were studied, i.e., clinical stage 1 or 2, and their surgical preference was recorded. The cases were discussed in multidisciplinary meetings, and a discussion session with patient conducted and then final decision taken from the patient was recorded again, and the results compared. Results: A total of 28 patients were included in this study and their surgical preferences recorded. Of these patients 22 (78.5%) agreed to breast conservation initially, whereas one of the patients wanted mastectomy. Five (17.8%) patients were undecided between the two. After multidisciplinary team recommendation and discussion with surgeon, only one patient opted for mastectomy (3.6%). Conclusion: Patients with early breast cancer when offered a surgical decision between breast conservation and mastectomy mostly opt for breast conservation; those who select mastectomy do so because of the fear of recurrence.


Author(s):  
Andrea Chirico ◽  
Deborah Vizza ◽  
Moira Valente ◽  
Melania Lo Iacono ◽  
Maria Rosita Campagna ◽  
...  

2021 ◽  
Vol 10 (22) ◽  
pp. 5334
Author(s):  
Ilse van Eck ◽  
Dide den Hollander ◽  
Emma Lidington ◽  
Leopold Hentschel ◽  
Martin Eichler ◽  
...  

Thoracic and breast sarcomas constitute a rare subgroup within the sarcoma population. There is limited knowledge about their health-related quality of life (HRQoL) and a valid disease-specific HRQoL instrument is lacking. This qualitative study aimed to investigate the HRQoL issues experienced by a small group of thoracic and breast sarcoma patients. Semi-structured interviews with 19 thoracic and four breast sarcoma patients were conducted and thematically analysed. Physical issues mentioned by both groups were fatigue, sleep disturbances, pain, wound infections, and symptoms related to chemotherapy and radiotherapy. Tightness in the back and restrictions in performing tasks above arm height were specific physical issues for breast sarcoma patients, whereas respiratory problems were only mentioned by thoracic sarcoma patients. Body image issues, changes in mood, fear of recurrence, and living with uncertainty were important mental health issues for both subgroups. Social issues in both groups included challenges in work and relationships, financial difficulties, loss of independence, and limitations in social activities. The identified physical, mental, and social health challenges can significantly impact thoracic and breast sarcoma patients’ HRQoL. Results of this qualitative study will guide personalised supportive care for breast and thoracic sarcoma patients and help in determining the best possible HRQoL measurement strategy for sarcoma patients with different primary sarcoma locations.


Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document