European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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Numerous studies have identified several factors influencing quality of life (QOL) in cancer patients. However, studies on gender differences in cancer-related physical symptoms and QOL levels have yielded inconsistent results. The present study examined common symptoms (i.e., pain intensity, fatigue, and depression) in regard to their ability to predict QOL in male and female oncology patients with cancer pain. ⋯ Therefore, it is concluded that gender should be considered as an additional feature for further characterizing QOL. Gender differences in factors predicting QOL warrant different clinical approaches to male and female patients, and identifying these differences may assist health care providers in tailoring treatment modalities to individual patients for optimal outcomes.
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The aim was, through analysis of dialogues in supervision sessions, to explore if health care staff in surgical care discussed existential issues when caring for cancer patients. ⋯ This study shows that there are existential issues at a surgical clinic which health care staff need to acknowledge. The staff find themselves exposed to existential dilemmas when caring for cancer patients. They are conscious of patients' existential issues, but lack strategies for dealing with this. This study highlights a need to provide support to staff for developing an existential approach, which will boost their confidence in their encounters with patients.