European journal of oncology nursing : the official journal of European Oncology Nursing Society
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The lifespan of people with an intellectual disability has increased significantly in recent years; however, this has resulted in a rising incidence of age-related illnesses including cancer. The World Health Organisation has expressed concern as evidence suggests prevalence rates for cancer are increasing for this group. The needs of people with a cancer diagnosis and an intellectual disability are beginning to be highlighted; however, there appears to be a substantial dearth of services including appropriate cancer information. ⋯ Cancer professionals should assess the unique information needs of people with an intellectual disability as mainstream information does not meet their requirements. Furthermore, health professionals working in intellectual disability settings must also address their knowledge and information deficits in this regard. This paper presents a review of the literature with a specific focus on the cancer information needs of people with an intellectual disability.
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The aim of this study was to describe the dyspnea experience and examine its relation to other symptoms, personal and health-related factors and its predictors in patients with lung cancer. The subjects were 105 patients diagnosed with lung cancer, approached when active anti-tumour treatment was closed. The patients completed a battery of questionnaires about several aspects of dyspnea experience, intensity of other symptoms and coping capacity. ⋯ Lower coping capacity predicted dyspnea; additional predictors were higher levels of anxiety and fatigue. Dyspnea in this group of patients was a complex experience, including physical and psychological aspects and should preferably be assessed in a comprehensive way. A nursing intervention to decrease dyspnea experience and anxiety could use knowledge from this study about the importance of coping capacity to better help patients with lung cancer to cope in their palliative phase of the disease.
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Following the introduction of the National Health Service Breast Screening Programme (NHSBSP) in the UK increasing numbers of women are diagnosed with ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS). In DCIS, the cancer cells are confined to the ducts of the breast but considerable uncertainty surrounds the condition. Patients are often reassured that it is non-invasive and not life-threatening but they are recommended similar treatments to patients with invasive breast cancer. ⋯ Thematic analysis identified six key themes: (1) invisibility of DCIS, (2) uncertainty, (3) perceptions of DCIS, (4) acceptance of treatment, (5) social support and (6) moving on. The results highlight the substantial challenges faced by women diagnosed with DCIS. These findings have clear significance for healthcare professionals, especially specialist nurses, who work closely with DCIS patients.
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Building on the research conducted on institutional communication, and the analysis of actual communication taking place in clinical settings, this study describes and highlights features of palliative care consultations and focuses on the distribution of discursive space (i.e., share of words, lengths of turns), occurring topics and conversational frames. Six consultations between physicians, patients and significant others were videotaped and all participants took part in audio-taped interviews. ⋯ During the consultations, institutional framing tended to dominate over client framing. There was found to be room for further study of the structure and content of palliative care consultations with emphasis on how the voice of the patient can manifest itself within the framework of the medical agenda of the consultation and its significance for palliative cancer team work.
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This study evaluated clinical outcomes in the management of cancer pain in terms of pain severity, pain relief and satisfaction with pain management. It was conducted in a large oncology hospital in Athens, Greece and utilized the American Pain Society's Patient Outcome Questionnaire. Information was also collected about the quality of interpersonal relationships with nurses through qualitative comments. ⋯ Medical and nursing curricula and clinical training in Greece should put more emphasis on pain management. Also, efforts should be channeled so that the management of pain receives a more organised and formal attention in clinical settings. The establishment of pain clinics in Hellenic oncology facilities is a clinical priority.