Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · May 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialCryotherapy for docetaxel-induced hand and nail toxicity: randomised control trial.
This study investigated the efficacy and safety of cryotherapy, in the form of frozen gel gloves, in relation to docetaxel-induced hand and fingernail toxicities. ⋯ While cryotherapy in the form of frozen gloves for the cutaneous toxicities associated with docetaxel is safe, its limited efficacy, patient discomfort and some logistical issues preclude its use in our clinical setting.
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Support Care Cancer · May 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialPreferences for aggressive care in underserved populations with advanced-stage lung cancer: looking beyond race and resuscitation.
This paper examines the relationship between race, religiousness, spiritual well-being, antitumor treatment and preference for aggressive care among Black and White patients with advanced stage lung cancer receiving ambulatory cancer care in an urban setting. ⋯ After controlling for multiple factors, race was associated only with CPR, but not with other measures of preference for aggressive care. In addition, receipt of active antitumor treatment was positively associated with preference for CPR and spiritual well-being was important to setting end-of-life care goals and perspectives. Future directions for tailoring end-of-life care decision-making initiatives should move beyond race and discussions of CPR alone and focus on a full spectrum of patient beliefs and preferences at the end of life.
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Support Care Cancer · May 2014
Randomized Controlled TrialExperience of meaning in life in bereaved informal caregivers of palliative care patients.
Providing care for terminally ill family members places an enormous burden on informal caregivers. Meaning in life (MiL) may be a protective factor, but is jeopardised in caregiving and bereavement. This study evaluates the following questions: To what extent do bereaved informal caregivers of palliative care (PC) patients experience meaning in their lives? What differences emerge in carers compared to the general German population? How does MiL relate to well-being in former caregivers? ⋯ Coping with the loss of a loved one is associated with changes in MiL framework and considerably impairs a carer's experience of MiL fulfillment. Individual MiL is associated with well-being in PC caregivers during early bereavement. Specific interventions for carers targeted at meaning reconstruction during palliative care and bereavement are needed to help individuals regain a sense of meaning and purpose.
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Support Care Cancer · May 2014
A time to weep and a time to laugh: humour in the nurse-patient relationship in an adult cancer setting.
The literature highlights the value of humour in health-care settings. Humour impacts on the physiological, psychosocial and cognitive well-being of a person. The diagnosis of cancer is extremely stressful, and treatments are difficult. Patients and nurses may use humour as a coping mechanism to contend with the stresses caused directly or indirectly by cancer. This study investigated the use of humour during interactions between patients and nurses in an adult cancer ward. ⋯ The benefits of humour are recognised by both adult cancer patients and nurses. A deeper understanding of patient and nurse perceptions of the use of humour can inform strategies for its therapeutic use in the clinical setting.
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Support Care Cancer · May 2014
Symptom prevalence, frequency, severity, and distress during chemotherapy for patients with colorectal cancer.
Early detection and improvements in treatment have increased survival after colorectal cancer (CRC), but studies investigating the multidimensional nature of treatment-related symptoms are rare. The aim of this study was therefore to describe the prevalence, frequency, and severity of symptoms and the distress they cause during the early treatment of patients with CRC undergoing chemotherapy. ⋯ This study shows that patients with CRC receiving chemotherapy experience several distressing symptoms early in the treatment phase. In order to provide symptom control, oncology staff should consider evaluating the patient's symptoms early during treatment and plan adequate measures to minimize the impact of treatment-induced toxicity.