European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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Breast cancer largely affects older women (≥ 70 y) who have historically been excluded from clinical trials; consequently, treatment is often not evidence-based. Older women may not be offered adjuvant chemotherapy due to assumptions that they would not benefit, cannot tolerate it or do not wish to have it. Specialist breast care nurses (BCN) and research nurses (RN) play an important role influencing decisions. We report the roles, attitudes and involvement of such nurses regarding adjuvant chemotherapy in older women. ⋯ This study suggests a need to develop the role of specialist nurses to facilitate treatment decision-making relating to chemotherapy in older women.
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Anxiety is common in patients undergoing radiation therapy (RT) and in their family caregivers (FCs). Little is known about individual differences in anxiety trajectories during and after RT. This study aimed to identify distinct latent classes of oncology patients and their FCs based on self-reported anxiety symptoms from the beginning to four months after the completion of RT. ⋯ Subgroups of patients and FCs with high, intermediate, and low mean levels of anxiety during and after RT were identified with GMM. Additional research is needed to better understand the heterogeneity of symptom experiences as well as comorbid symptoms in patients and FCs.