Supportive care in cancer : official journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer
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Support Care Cancer · Apr 2015
Palliative performance scale and survival among outpatients with advanced cancer.
Previous studies have examined the association between the Palliative Performance Scale (PPS) and survival duration; however, few have examined patients with incurable cancer in the outpatient setting. In addition to exploring this association further, the purpose of this study was to identify key PPS markers that could serve as triggers to signify the need for key care discussions. ⋯ Given the ongoing challenge of inaccurate survival estimates, this data suggests what may be of greatest clinical utility is to use specific PPS ratings as triggers for key care discussions among patients with incurable and progressive cancer.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialLong-term safety and efficacy of oxycodone/naloxone prolonged-release tablets in patients with moderate-to-severe chronic cancer pain.
To evaluate the long-term safety and efficacy of prolonged-release oxycodone/naloxone (OXN PR) and its impact on quality of life (QoL), in patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain. ⋯ In patients with moderate-to-severe cancer pain, long-term use of OXN PR is well tolerated and effective, resulting in sustained analgesia, improved bowel function and improved symptoms of constipation.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2015
Correlates of a good death and the impact of hospice involvement: findings from the national survey of households affected by cancer.
Knowing how to improve the dying experience for patients with end-stage cancer is essential for cancer professionals. However, there is little evidence on the relationship between clinically relevant factors and quality of death. Also, while hospice has been linked with improved outcomes, our understanding of factors that contribute to a "good death" when hospice is involved remains limited. This study (1) identified correlates of a good death and (2) provided evidence on the impact of hospice on quality of death. ⋯ Enhanced provider training/communication, referrals to hospice and greater attention to symptom management may facilitate improved quality of dying. Additionally, the cultural relevance of the concept of a "good death" warrants further research.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2015
Randomized Controlled TrialRebuilding self-confidence after cancer: a feasibility study of life-coaching.
Cancer survivors often experience decreased self-confidence which impacts negatively on their ability to self-manage the practical, social and emotional problems frequently faced as they emerge from end of treatment. This was a feasibility study of a life-coaching intervention, designed to rebuild confidence of survivors and support transition to life after cancer treatment. ⋯ Life-coaching has a potential to enable cancer survivors to manage the transition to life beyond cancer and effect change on a range of outcomes. The intervention was feasible to deliver and acceptable to survivors at a time when many struggle to make sense of life. It merits further evaluation through a randomised controlled trial.
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Support Care Cancer · Mar 2015
Relationships among symptoms, psychosocial factors, and health-related quality of life in hematopoietic stem cell transplant survivors.
The study aims to evaluate the mediating effect of depressive symptoms on the relationship between physical symptoms and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in hematopoietic stem cell transplant (HSCT) survivors and to test a conceptual model of psychosocial factors, in addition to physical and psychological symptoms, that might contribute to HRQOL. ⋯ Physical symptoms are most strongly associated with physical HRQOL, while depressive symptoms and psychosocial factors impact mental HRQOL more than physical HRQOL. Interventions addressing psychosocial factors as well as symptoms may improve the HRQOL of HSCT survivors.