American journal of preventive medicine
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Men with prostate cancer face difficult choices when selecting a therapy for localized prostate cancer. Comparative data from controlled studies are lacking and clinical opinions diverge about the benefits and harms of treatment options. Consequently, there is limited guidance for patients regarding the impact of treatment decisions on quality of life. ⋯ This article provides an overview of the literature and considerations that initiated establishing a prospective public health research agenda around treatment decision making. Insights gathered from CDC-supported studies are poised to enhance understanding of the process of shared decision making and the influence of patient, caregiver, and provider preferences on the selection of treatment choices. These findings provide guidance about attributes that maximize patient experiences in survivorship, including optimal quality of life and patient and caregiver satisfaction with information, treatment decisions, and subsequent care.
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One of six priorities of CDC's National Comprehensive Cancer Control Program (NCCCP) is to address the needs of cancer survivors within the local population served by individually funded states, tribes, and territories. This report examines cancer survivorship activities implemented in five NCCCP grantees, which have initiated evidence-based activities outlined in A National Action Plan for Cancer Survivorship: Advancing Public Health Strategies (NAP). ⋯ This report provides examples for incorporating cancer survivorship activities within Comprehensive Cancer Control programs of various sizes, demographic makeup, and resource capacity. New Mexico, South Carolina, Vermont, Washington state, and Fond Du Lac Band developed creative cancer survivorship activities that meet CDC recommendations. NCCCP grantees can follow these examples by implementing evidence-based survivorship interventions that meet the needs of their specific populations.
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Among women aged <45 years, African Americans have the highest breast cancer incidence rates of any ethnic/racial group and disproportionately higher rates of mortality. Young breast cancer survivors (YBCSs) may require psychosocial and reproductive health support when navigating diagnosis, treatment, and follow-up care. To address these needs, the Young Sisters Initiative: A Guide to a Better You! Program (YSI) was developed, implemented, and evaluated. The purpose of this study was to assess implementation and fidelity; identify barriers and facilitators to implementation; and explore audience access, use, and perceived value of the YSI. ⋯ Findings suggest the value of using the Internet, including social media, to provide African-American YBCSs who are newly diagnosed, in treatment, and post-treatment with reproductive and psychosocial information and support. Further implementation and evaluation of programs addressing the needs of YBCSs are needed.