Supportive Care in Cancer: Official Journal of the Multinational Association of Supportive Care in Cancer

BACKGROUND: Objectives were to describe bothersome self-reported changes in taste in pediatric oncology and hematopoietic stem cell (HSCT) patients and to identify patient and treatment-related factors associated with bothersome taste changes. METHODS: We prospectively enrolled children and adolescents with cancer or pediatric HSCT recipients 8-18 years of age from three groups: inpatients receiving cancer treatments; outpatients in maintenance therapy for acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL); and outpatients in survivorship...

CONTEXT: A knowledge gap exists in our understanding of the illness and insomnia symptom treatment trajectory in adults with inoperable non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC). OBJECTIVES: Compare valid and reliable sleep-wake measures for insomnia to interpretations of narrative descriptions of sleep to improve our comprehension of sleep-wake disturbances in adults with NSCLC. METHODS: This study employed mixed methods (quantitative and qualitative) in a longitudinal design to study adults (n = 26) from ambulatory thoracic clinics...

PURPOSE: This longitudinal study sought to examine the reciprocal relationship between spirituality and physical health status among breast cancer survivors. METHODS: Breast cancer survivors (N = 634) completed baseline assessments (T1) within 8 months of breast cancer diagnosis and 12 (T2) and 18 months (T3) after their baseline assessment. Spirituality was assessed by the Functional Assessment of Chronic Illness Therapy-Spiritual Well-Being (FACIT-Sp) scale which consists of three subscales: meaning, peace, and faith...

PURPOSE: We investigated the effect of gastrectomy on blood pressure (BP) in early gastric cancer survivors with hypertension and whether well-controlled BP was due solely to surgery-induced weight loss. METHODS: The study enrolled 66 early gastric cancer patients with hypertension, undergoing endoscopic submucosal dissection (ESD), or gastrectomy. Blood analyses, 24-h ambulatory BP monitoring, brachial ankle pulse wave velocity (baPWV), and echocardiography were measured prior to, 3 months after, and 1 year after ESD or gastrectomy...

PURPOSE: Cancer patients in Germany often face payments related to their disease or treatment which are not covered by their health insurance. The aim of this study was to analyze the amount of out-of-pocket payments (OOPPs) among cancer patients in Germany, to explore potential socioeconomic determinants of OOPPs, and to identify how cancer patients are burdened by these payments. METHODS: Cancer ptients were consecutively enrolled in 16 clinics in Leipzig, Germany...

PURPOSES: Despite extensive debate on palliative sedation over the last few decades, no studies have explored longitudinal changes in physicians' opinion. Moreover, little is known about how physicians' opinions affect their practice. This study aimed to clarify (1) changes in palliative care specialists' opinions on palliative sedation and (2) the effects of these opinions on clinical practice. METHODS: In 2000 and 2016, nationwide questionnaire surveys involving Japanese palliative care specialists were performed: measurement was based on agreement with opinions on palliative sedation...

PURPOSE: Physical activity (PA) is central to self-management for people with colorectal cancer (CRC) to support health behaviour and function secondary to cancer treatment. However, there is limited evidence on how health professionals (HPs) promote PA during cancer treatment. This study aimed to investigate how and when PA is promoted throughout the chemotherapy pathway among colorectal cancer survivors. METHODS: A qualitative study was conducted with adults with CRC receiving chemotherapy at a large cancer centre...

PURPOSE: Informal carers may experience a range of unmet needs during the caring period and, at times, lack support to adequately manage care of the person with cancer and balance personal family and work commitments. The aim of this study was to understand the needs of informal carers of people with cancer and how digital technology may be used to address carers' needs. METHODS: Focus groups and semi-structured interviews were conducted with 45 carers. Carers discussed supports and services they used to address their needs, barriers to accessing support, and how digital technology could assist in meeting their needs...

BACKGROUND: We aimed to investigate whether patient self-evaluated symptoms transmitted via Internet is feasible between planned visits to provide an early management of fever and neutropenia induced by chemotherapy, and if it can reduce hospitalizations for severe neutropenia. METHODS: Patients who received a chemotherapy regimen with an overall risk of febrile neutropenia ≥ 20% had to report daily temperature between physician planned visits using a web application...

PURPOSE: Arthralgia is common among women with breast cancer on adjuvant aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. Pain is associated with falls in the general population; however, little is known about the relationship between arthralgia and falls among AI users. Our objective was to determine whether joint pain severity and interference predict future falls. METHODS: We conducted a prospective cohort study of postmenopausal women with stage I-III estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer who were prescribed a third-generation AI...

PURPOSE: Breakthrough pain (BTP) is a transient exacerbation of pain occurring in a patient with chronic, persistent pain. The most common type is incident pain that is mostly related to bone metastases. The oral mucosa is an attractive route for drug delivery. Sublingual fentanyl preparations are a very attractive agent in controlling attacks of BTP due to its rapid absorption through the oral mucosa. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) play a key role as a first step in treatment of cancer pain; piroxicam sublingual formulations could be a useful alternative in controlling incident pain...

OBJECTIVES: The primary purpose of this systematic review is to structure the available evidence concerning physical exercise programs and their effects on (1) physical performance outcomes, (2) experienced fatigue, and (3) quality of life (QoL) in patients during the initial treatment for breast cancer. DATA SOURCES: A systematic literature search, based upon the PRISMA guideline, up to January 1, 2018, was performed using four databases (Web of Science, Cochrane Library for Clinical Trials, PubMed, and Medline)...

PURPOSE: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a common and challenging late effect for many cancer survivors. Clinical trials demonstrate robust placebo effects on CRF in blinded trials. Recently, open-label placebo (OLP) has been shown to improve a variety of symptoms in other populations. We conducted a randomized controlled trial to investigate the effect of OLP on CRF in cancer survivors, and to explore biologic and psychological correlates of placebo efficacy. METHODS: Forty cancer survivors (92...

OBJECTIVE: Evidence suggests peer support (PS) is as an effective strategy for enhancing prevention and control of chronic and infectious diseases, including cancer. This systematic scoping review examines the range and variety of interventions on the use of PS across the cancer care continuum. METHOD: We used a broad definition of PS to capture a wide-range of interventions and characterize the current status of the field. Literature searches were conducted using PubMed, SCOPUS, and CINAHL to identify relevant articles published from January 2011 to June 2016...

PURPOSE: Although growing evidence underlines the benefits of physical activity as supportive intervention for cancer patients, sparse data are available for exercise in patients with advanced disease stages, in particular for gastrointestinal cancer (GIC) patients who experience specific disease-associated limitations. Thus, the aim of this study is to evaluate the effects of home-based moderate intensity exercise on functional capacity, activities of daily living (ADL) and body composition in patients with advanced GIC during first-line chemotherapy...

PURPOSE: Smoking is a risk factor for poor outcomes following breast reconstructive surgery. This project aimed to design and implement an intervention to consistently refer all breast cancer patients to tobacco treatment services. METHODS: In formative work, a set of processes for providers to consistently refer patients to a tobacco treatment specialist at the Nicotine Dependence Center (NDC) was designed. Elements included consistent documentation of smoking status, provider advice specific to the benefits of quitting to cancer care, referral to NDC using an "opt-out" strategy that emphasized smoking cessation as a standard part of breast cancer treatment, and reinforcement of the importance of the referral by multiple personnel...

Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a common toxicity that may impair the quality of life of patients with a variety of early- and end-stage malignancies. In light of recent changes in the optimal management of CINV, we undertook this narrative review to compare the latest guidelines published by ASCO (2017), NCCN (2018), and MASCC/ESMO (2016). The processes undertaken by each organization to evaluate existing literature were also described. Although ASCO, NCCN, and MASCC/ESMO guidelines for the treatment and prevention of CINV share many fundamental similarities, literature surrounding low and minimal emetic risk regimens is lacking...

Fears of cancer recurrence (FCR) in patients with breast cancer may develop during radiotherapy. Radiographer communication with their patients may influence early survivorship FCR level. AIM: To investigate the management of emotional talk in patients with breast cancer attending their initial review appointments during radiotherapy and predict FCR at 6-8 weeks follow-up. METHODS: A mixed-methods observational study was conducted. Patients (consecutive sample, n = 60) with breast cancer, attending a major Scottish cancer centre, had their first two review appointments with their therapeutic radiographer (TR) audio-recorded...

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study was to evaluate objectively the effectiveness of photobiomodulation therapy (PBMT) for the prevention of acute radiation dermatitis (ARD) by using biophysical skin measurements. METHODS: A randomized, placebo-controlled trial with 120 breast cancer patients who underwent an identical radiotherapy (RT) regimen post-lumpectomy was performed (TRANSDERMIS trial). Patients were randomized to receive PBM (808 nm CW/905 nm pulsed, 168 mW/cm2 , spot size 19...

PURPOSE: To explore the reciprocal process of decisional conflict within the patient-physician dyad, and its relationship with patient general health and patient-perceived physician helpfulness. Among the subset of participants who were in a committed relationship, we examined the congruence in reciprocal processes between patient-spouse/caregiver and patient-physician dyads. METHODS: An online retrospective survey of cancer patients was conducted in the USA. The reciprocal process of decisional conflict within the patient-physician dyad was measured using the Decisional Conflict Scale (DCS)...