European journal of cancer : official journal for European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer (EORTC) [and] European Association for Cancer Research (EACR)
-
To investigate if a cancer patient's unrelieved symptoms during the last 3 months of life increase the risk of long-term psychological morbidity in the surviving widower. ⋯ The unrelieved patients' end-of-life problems increase the risk of widowers' long-term mental suffering. Efficient and effective diagnoses and treatment of pain and anxiety in terminally ill cancer patients are critical for both patients and their surviving widowers.
-
To describe (1) self-rated quality of life, late effects and perceived future vulnerability, (2) expectations before a follow-up appointment, subsequent satisfaction and preferences for different models of care and (3) differences between survivors in quality of life, perceived late effects, vulnerability, expectations regarding follow-up, information needs (topics they want to and did discuss) and preferences for different models of care depending on risk stratification among childhood cancer survivors. ⋯ Childhood cancer survivors are in favour of sustaining long-term follow-up care within the existing consultant-led model but this is not feasible given the increasing number of survivors. In the future we therefore need to develop alternative services which will provide the best medical care for each survivor's needs.
-
To develop a Consumer Quality Index (CQ-index) Breast Care instrument that measures quality of care from the perspective of patients with (suspicion of) breast cancer. ⋯ The CQ-index Breast Care (CQI-BC) instrument provides a good starting point for further research on the quality of breast care seen from the perspective of patients. The newly developed instrument can be used by different stakeholders for future quality monitoring.
-
In December 2000, the European Parliament voted a resolution addressing the need for better medicines for children in Europe and asking the Commission to prepare a new regulation. Members of the European Parliament considered that there was indeed a health issue to be addressed and resolved at the EU level. ⋯ By considerably changing the landscape of drug development for children, the law will provide an opportunity to make further progress in the cure and quality of cure of children with cancer, at a time when truly innovative and effective anticancer drugs are becoming available. However, there are some risks and pitfalls that need to be anticipated and controlled in order to ensure that children will eventually benefit from the European initiative.