Cancer nursing
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Cognitive deficits are distressing adverse effects of chemotherapy that have a negative effect on quality of life in breast cancer survivors (BCSs). Cognitive deficits in cancer survivors are a top research and clinical practice priority. ⋯ While limited evidence is available to guide clinical management of cognitive deficits in BCSs, validating patients' symptom experience and evaluating co-occurring symptom clusters such as fatigue, sleep, and depression, are suggested.
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Little is known about cancer patient and family caregiver preferences for the content and format of nonpharmacologic interventions. Revising interventions based on patient and caregiver feedback before implementation may improve intervention feasibility and acceptability, especially in the context of advanced-stage cancer. ⋯ Nurses can modify interventions to meet the needs of patients with advanced-stage, symptomatic lung cancer and caregivers. For example, flexibility regarding intervention content and length may accommodate those with significant symptoms.
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Randomized Controlled Trial
Attitudes and Decisional Conflict Regarding Breast Reconstruction Among Breast Cancer Patients.
The decision to undergo breast reconstruction (BR) surgery after mastectomy is made during stressful circumstances. Many women do not feel well prepared to make this decision. ⋯ Healthcare professionals may facilitate decision making by focusing on reasons for each patient's uncertainty and unaddressed concerns. All patients, even those who have consulted with a plastic surgeon and remain uncertain about their decision, may benefit from decision support from a health professional.
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Chemotherapy is the treatment of choice for many gynecological tumors, but cytotoxic drugs lead to a wide range of stressful side effects; nausea and vomiting are 2 of the most common and distressing consequences of many chemotherapy regimens. ⋯ Personal factors should be taken into consideration by the multidisciplinary treating team in gynecology.
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The availability of a valid and reliable instrument that accurately assesses the level of fatigue among childhood cancer survivors is a prerequisite for developing and evaluating interventions designed to reduce fatigue. There is a lack of such an instrument for use in the Hong Kong Chinese context. ⋯ The translated scale can be used to develop and evaluate appropriate fatigue reduction interventions.