Gynecologic oncology
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Gynecologic oncology · Mar 2014
ReviewCervical cancer control for Hispanic women in Texas: strategies from research and practice.
Hispanic women in Texas have among the highest rates of cervical cancer incidence and mortality in the country. Increasing regular Papanicolaou test screening and HPV vaccination are crucial to reduce the burden of cervical cancer among Hispanics. This paper presents lessons learned from community-based cervical cancer control programs for Hispanics and highlights effective intervention programs, methods and strategies. ⋯ Small media materials combined with LHW and navigation approaches were effective in delivering Pap test screening and HPV vaccination messages and in linking women to services. Common theoretical methods included in these approaches were modeling, verbal persuasion, and facilitating access. Adaptation of programs to an urban environment revealed that intensive navigation was needed to link women with multiple access barriers to health services. Collectively, this review reveals 1) the importance of using a systematic approach for planning and adapting cervical cancer control programs; 2) advantages of collaborative academic-community partnerships to develop feasible interventions with broad reach; 3) the use of small media and LHW approaches and the need for tailored phone navigation in urban settings; and 4) coordination and technical assistance of community-based efforts as a way to maximize resources.
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Gynecologic oncology · Mar 2014
Caring for women with ovarian cancer in the last year of life: a longitudinal study of caregiver quality of life, distress and unmet needs.
Caregiver burden, quality of life (QOL) and unmet needs are poorly understood, particularly at the end of life. We explored these issues in caregivers of women with ovarian cancer. ⋯ Aspects of caregiver functioning, rather than patient quality of life, predict caregiver quality of life and distress. Caregivers need help with managing emotions about prognosis, balancing their own and the patient's needs, work, and decision-making when there is uncertainty.
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Gynecologic oncology · Mar 2014
Cost of care using prophylactic negative pressure wound vacuum on closed laparotomy incisions.
We wished to determine the reduction in the rate of wound complications that would render the use of prophylactic negative pressure wound vacuum therapy (NPWT) cost saving compared to routine incision care (RC) following laparotomy for gynecologic malignancy. ⋯ If the wound complication rate can be reduced by one-third, prophylactic NPWT is potentially cost saving in high-risk women undergoing laparotomy for gynecologic malignancy.
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Gynecologic oncology · Mar 2014
Predictors of high symptom burden in gynecologic oncology outpatients: who should be referred to outpatient palliative care?
To characterize symptom prevalence in gynecologic oncology outpatients and identify predictors of high symptom burden. ⋯ Gynecologic oncology outpatients have a high symptom burden regardless of stage and site of cancer. Patients who are young, on treatment or have a history of chronic pain, depression or anxiety have a higher symptom burden. Consideration should be given to targeting these patients for outpatient palliative care services.
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Gynecologic oncology · Mar 2014
The effects of a brief educational intervention on human papillomavirus knowledge and intention to initiate HPV vaccination in 18-26 year old young adults.
Despite the Advisory Committee on Immunization Practices (ACIP) recommendations for young adult females and males to receive the three-dose human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine, most recent findings show that only 30% of the U.S. females aged 19-26, 2.8% of males aged 19-21, and only 1.7% of males aged 22-26 are initiating vaccination. This study evaluates the effects of a brief (5-10 min) group HPV educational intervention on knowledge and intent to vaccinate among young adults. ⋯ Despite ACIP recommendations, young adults continue to have low awareness of vaccine benefits and low vaccination rates. This study suggests that educational interventions to increase HPV awareness and vaccination may help to boost vaccination rates.