Psycho-oncology
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Post-traumatic stress symptoms (PTSS) have been identified as a meaningful indicator of distress in cancer survivors. Distinct from young adult survivors of childhood cancer, young people diagnosed with cancer as adolescents and young adults (AYAs) face unique psychosocial issues; however, there is little published research of PTSS in the AYA population. This study examines prevalence and predictors of PTSS among AYAs with cancer. ⋯ Post-traumatic stress symptoms were observed as early as 6 months following diagnosis and remained stable at 12-month follow-up. The development of early interventions for reducing distress among AYA patients in treatment is recommended.
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Levels of distress in breast cancer survivors approaching discharge from routine hospital follow-up.
Hospital-based breast cancer follow-up provides reassurance to patients despite limited evidence for clinical efficacy. Although alternative models of hospital/community-based follow-up have yielded encouraging results, traditional hospital follow-up continues to be offered to all patients. Survival rates continue to rise; consequently, more patients are likely to require support, as many have a limited understanding of the long-term physical and emotional consequences of cancer and its treatment. We examine levels of psychological distress in breast cancer patients in follow-up 2 years or more from diagnosis. ⋯ Breast cancer survivors reported good psychological outcomes 2 years on from diagnosis. Screening for psychological/emotional distress is a vital part of follow-up care, which should be incorporated into UK policy.
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The aim of the study was to investigate the adequacy of help delivered by the healthcare system for 12 symptoms/problems in a national, randomly selected sample of advanced cancer patients in Denmark. ⋯ Advanced cancer patients are not receiving the help they need. Large proportions of patients were burdened by symptoms/problems. Of those who had received help, many viewed it as inadequate. Better symptom/problem identification and management is warranted for advanced cancer patients.
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Dignity therapy (DT) has been developed to help reduce distress experienced by people nearing the end of life; however, evaluations of this novel intervention have largely involved non-distressed samples. ⋯ The extent to which DT can help these patients and their families, either as a stand-alone therapy or as an adjunct to other therapies, needs to be determined in studies focussing on distressed patients, particularly those with problems likely to be helped by the therapy.
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We examined differences in distress levels and Distress Thermometer (DT) cutoff scores between different cancer types. The effect of socio-demographic and illness-related variables on distress was also examined. ⋯ Distress and cutoff score in prostate cancer patients were lower than in patients with other cancer types. Additionally, younger women and patients receiving treatment other than surgery only or 'wait and see' are at risk for higher distress. These results can help identify patients possibly in need of referral to professional psychosocial and/or allied health care.