Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · May 2017
Symptom clusters during palliative chemotherapy and their influence on functioning and quality of life.
Symptom management in patients undergoing palliative chemotherapy is challenging, as patients may suffer from cancer symptoms as well as symptoms related to chemotherapy. Symptom clusters are interrelated symptoms occurring simultaneously that exert a negative impact on survival. Identification of symptom clusters and effective symptom management for patients receiving palliative chemotherapy is crucial. ⋯ Four symptom clusters occurring during palliative chemotherapy demonstrated negative influences on functioning and QOL. Differential contributions of symptom clusters to functioning were identified that eventually contributed to QOL through role functioning. The identified symptom clusters and their relationships with functioning and QOL may help guide approaches to symptom management. Implementation of interventions targeting symptom clusters would contribute to improving functioning and QOL in patients.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2017
Physicians' practice of discussing fertility preservation with cancer patients and the associated attitudes and barriers.
The aim of this study is to describe physicians' clinical practice of discussing fertility issues with cancer patients and determine the factors associated with such discussion. ⋯ Compared to Western countries, fertility issues are less likely to be discussed in Japan. To increase opportunities for patients to discuss fertility issues, the ASCO guidelines should be widely understood. Additionally, these results suggest that physicians who are more likely to discuss fertility issues might feel more conflicted about whether they in fact should discuss such issues with patients with poor prognosis or insufficient time for cancer treatment.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2017
Sleep disturbances in advanced cancer patients admitted to a supportive/palliative care unit.
The aim of this study was to assess the prevalence of sleep disturbances and possible correlations with associated factors in a sample of patients admitted to an acute palliative/supportive care unit. A consecutive sample of patients with advanced cancer was prospectively assessed for a period of 6 months. Epidemiological and clinical data, treatments received in the last month, Karnofsky status, Edmonton Symptom Assessment System (ESAS), and concomitant medical treatment were also recorded. ⋯ In the multivariate analysis, AIS increased only with the level of anxiety and depression assessed by HADS. Sleep disturbances were ubiquitous in advanced cancer patients admitted to a supportive/palliative care unit and were strongly correlated with psychological distress. Assessment of sleep disorders is mandatory in this population for the obvious interference with quality of life.
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2017
Psychometric properties of the Chinese version of the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer Scale (RCAC) for young female cancer survivors.
This study aimed to translate, culturally adapt, and test the psychometric properties of the Reproductive Concerns After Cancer scale (RCAC) in young Chinese female cancer survivors. ⋯ The translation and cross-cultural adaption of the RCAC into Chinese was successful. The Chinese version of the RCAC has suitable factor structure and psychometric properties for reproductive concerns evaluation in young female cancer patients and is appropriate to use in clinical trials of Chinese patients.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2017
ReviewUnderstanding factors influencing physical activity and exercise in lung cancer: a systematic review.
Despite evidence and clinical practice guidelines supporting physical activity (PA) for people with lung cancer, this evidence has not translated into clinical practice. This review aims to identify, evaluate and synthesise studies examining the barriers and enablers for patients with lung cancer to participate in PA from the perspective of patients, carers and health care providers (HCPs). ⋯ This systematic review has identified the volume of literature demonstrating that barriers and enablers to PA in lung cancer are multidimensional and span diverse factors. These include patient-level factors, such as symptoms, comorbidities, sedentary lifestyle, mood and fear, and environmental factors. These factors should be considered to identify and develop suitable interventions and clinical services in attempt to increase PA in patients with lung cancer.