European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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Multicenter Study
Identification of patient subgroups and risk factors for persistent arm/shoulder pain following breast cancer surgery.
In this prospective, longitudinal study, we extend our findings on persistent breast pain in patients (n = 398) following breast cancer surgery and evaluate the prevalence and characteristics of persistent pain in the arm/shoulder. In addition, differences in the severity of common symptoms and quality of life outcomes measured prior to surgery, among the arm pain classes, were evaluated. ⋯ Findings suggest that approximately 35% of women experience persistent levels of moderate arm/shoulder pain in the first six months following breast cancer surgery. Moderate arm/shoulder pain is associated with clinically meaningful decrements in functional status and quality of life.
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This study aims to examine the supportive care needs of Chinese breast cancer survivors, and investigate the relationships with participant characteristics and quality of life. ⋯ Breast cancer survivors perceive various unmet needs, and health system information is the most common one. Those who have more unmet needs in the physical and psychological domains were more likely to perceive a poorer quality of life.
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Morphine is widely used for pain management in cancer patients. Use of heroin, a morphine derivative, is a risk factor for acute coronary syndrome (ACS). ⋯ Morphine treatment is associated with a modest increase in risk of ACS in patients with malignancy, but this association displays low significance in specific cancer types.
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Despite decision-making featuring throughout the trajectory of cancer care, children's participation in decision-making remains an area much under-researched and complicated by conflicting opinions. This study explored children's participation in shared decision-making (SDM) from multiple perspectives from one haematology/oncology unit in Ireland. ⋯ Healthcare professionals and parents controlled the process of SDM and the children's accounts revealed that they held a minimal role. Children appeared content that adults held responsibility for the major treatment decisions. However, they desired and valued receiving information, voicing their preferences and choosing how treatments were administered to them.
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Companions often accompany patients to cancer consultations. The number of questions asked by patients and companions is an indicator of their active participation. The present study aims to provide first descriptive evidence on the characteristics of unaccompanied and accompanied Italian breast cancer patients that attend the first consultation after surgery and to analyse companions contribution to the type and quantity of questions asked during the consultation. ⋯ Accompanied and non accompanied patients differed more in socio-demographic than clinical characteristics. Companions sustained the patient and shared information without reducing the level of patient involvement.