Cancer nursing
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The National Cancer Institute estimates that 24% of adults with cancer are parenting children younger than 18 years. When a parent is diagnosed with cancer, this is a major stressor and often creates multiple problems for families. ⋯ Support for parents with cancer on relevant parenting issues should be acknowledged as an important facet of care for oncology nurses, as a mechanism of reducing parental stress and psychological distress for the whole family.
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Victoria Champion used the constructs of the Health Belief Model as the foundation for developing Champion's Health Belief Scales for Mammography Screening (CHBMS). The instrument has been used to collect health beliefs about breast screening behaviors among various ethnic populations but has not been translated, adapted, or psychometrically evaluated in the Hispanic population. ⋯ The Spanish version of the CHBMS can be used by practicing nurses as an instrument to assess health beliefs concerning mammography screening among Spanish-speaking Hispanic women.
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Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the fifth most common malignancy worldwide, causing about 1 million deaths annually. Patients with HCC usually reported multiple concurrent symptoms. The purpose of this multivariate study was to explore whether multiple concurrent symptoms are clustered into groups of symptoms and to explore the effect of symptom clusters on the quality of life (QOL) in patients with HCC. ⋯ The differences between the 2 patient subgroups were not only statistically but also clinically significant. Patients in the high-symptom group were also statistically and clinically anxious and depressed. Further research is needed to explore whether compositions of symptom cluster phenotypes vary over time and whether the associations of symptom clusters with QOL and mood are changing along the disease and treatment trajectory as well as symptom status.
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Childhood cancer requires families to deal with many stressors, including decision making in terms of their child's treatment. Adding to the stress of families is that most children participate in clinical research trials. Minimal research has been done to explore parents' decisions related to involving their child in childhood cancer clinical trials. ⋯ The parents ranged in age between 27 and 51 years. Data analyzed by the constant comparative method revealed that parents found their participation in decisions about childhood cancer clinical trials as a difficult and extraordinary experience that included 6 themes: (1) living a surreal event, (2) wanting the best for my child, (3) helping future families of children with cancer, (4) coming to terms with my decision, (5) making one decision among many, and (6) experiencing a sense of trust. This study indicates that parents need more support not only during the initial decision-making period but also throughout the entire time their child is enrolled in a clinical trial.
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Knowledge about how young adults experience being a childhood cancer survivor is limited, as most previous research concerning the quality of life in survivors of childhood cancer has been conducted using standardized questionnaires. The aim of the current study was to identify and describe young adults' own experiences of long-term effects of cancer treatment on their self-image, relationships, and present life related to the impact of being a survivor of childhood cancer. Interviews were held with 7 young adults, 20 to 23 years of age. ⋯ This core category was grounded in 5 categories: living a normal life, bodily changes, relationships with and support from others nearby, sentient life, and personal growth. The findings in this study illustrate the importance for healthcare staff to be aware of young adult survivors' experiences of their childhood cancer and its long-term effects. Extra attention and support from the healthcare system after the concluded treatment period are needed via a support program or support group for young adults.