psychology cancer

Radiotherapy for adolescents and young adults is complex in several aspects. The population is very heterogeneous and has characteristics derived from both paediatric and adult populations both in terms of pathology (anatomical pathology, response to treatment) and the patient's physical, biological and psychological characteristics. This article reviews the characteristics to be taken into account in adolescent and young adult patients radiotherapy and more particularly in some of the most common diseases.

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a life-threatening, stressful event, particularly for young adults due to delays and disruptions in their developmental transitions. Cancer treatment can also cause adverse long-term effects, chronic conditions, psychological issues, and decreased quality of life (QoL) among young adults. Despite numerous health benefits of health behaviors (eg, physical activity, healthy eating, no smoking, no alcohol use, and quality sleep), young adult cancer survivors report poor health behavior profiles...

PURPOSE: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) commonly involves hand dexterity impairment. However, the factors affecting hand dexterity impairment are unknown and there is currently no established treatment. The purpose of the current study was to clarify factors influencing hand dexterity impairment in taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy using subjective and objective assessments. METHODS: We assessed patient characteristics, treatment-related factors, subjective symptoms of CIPN (Patient Neurotoxicity Questionnaire [PNQ]), psychological symptoms, and upper limb dysfunction (Quick Disabilities of the Arm, Shoulder and Hand [Quick DASH])...

Breast cancer is the most prevalent malignancy among adolescents and young adults (AYAs). Despite the efficacy of chemotherapy, AYA patients contend with psychosocial challenges, including psychological distress and financial toxicity, exacerbated further by those with dependent children. Parenting responsibilities intersect with cancer care, impacting both family dynamics and treatment adherence. Despite recognized needs, however, the impact of parenting concerns or even parenting status and the presence of dependents has not been systematically addressed and there is a paucity of interventional research regarding patients with cancer as concomitant caregivers...

BACKGROUND: Having a parent with cancer is one of the risk factors for adolescents, which makes them face many psychological problems. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the effect of Happiness Educational Program of Fordyce on the sense of coherence and psychological well-being of adolescents who have a parent with cancer. METHODS: In this randomized clinical trial study, 92 adolescents whose diagnosed parents have referred to the oncology ward of Shahid Rajaei Hospital in Yasuj, from June to September 2021, were selected through the convenience sampling method; however, they were randomly assigned to one of the two groups of the intervention or control...

BACKGROUND: Cancer is a considerable health problem worldwide and the second leading cause of death in children. It has many physical, psychological, and social consequences for children and their families. The ability to adapt to cancer plays a vital role in the recovery and quality of life of affected children. This study aimed to explain the adaptation of children with cancer to their disease. METHODS: This qualitative study adopted the directed content analysis approach based on the Roy nursing model...

CONTEXT: In France, 2300 adolescents and young adults (AYAs, 15-25 years old) are diagnosed with cancer each year. As soon as the disease is diagnosed, a number of physical, psychological and social needs may arise. The aim of this study is to develop a tool to measure unmet needs that will allow the specificities of AYAs to be understood while allowing health care staff to mobilise the necessary actors to resolve them. METHODS: We developed the Questionnaire nEEd Cancer AYAs (QUEEC-AYAs questionnaire), from two existing questionnaires: the Cancer Needs Questionnaire Young People and the Needs Assessment & Service Bridge...

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PURPOSE: Many cancer patients have problems eating which are usually connected to taste and smell alterations due to side effects of cancer treatment. These problems have consequences both in terms of malnutrition and reduced quality of life. In order to explore social and psychological consequences of eating problems in cancer patients, qualitative interviews were conducted with cancer patients, their caregivers and healthcare professionals. METHODS: The study was conducted in three European countries (Poland, Spain and the UK) that differed in culture, oncology care approaches and availability of nutritional products targeted to cancer patients in the market...

PURPOSE: This cross-sectional study explored the associations between intrapersonal and interpersonal emotional competence (EC) and the unmet supportive care needs (SCN), anxiety, and depression of informal caregivers at the beginning of gastrointestinal or haematological cancer care, i.e. during chemotherapy and within 6 months after diagnosis. METHODS: The participants completed a self-reported questionnaire, comprising the Short Profile of Emotional Competence (S-PEC), the SCN survey for partners and caregivers (SCNS-P&C), and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)...

OBJECTIVE: Women dealing with breast cancer (BC) face many challenges, one of which is the fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). This study examined whether disease severity predicts FCR 6 months after cancer diagnosis through psychological distress and whether cognitive-emotion regulation moderates this effect. METHOD: The study sample included 656 women from Italy (27.5%), Finland (31.9%), Israel (19.8%), and Portugal (20.8%) diagnosed with Stages I-III of BC. Participants' age ranged between 40 and 70 years ( M = 54...

BACKGROUND: This study aimed to assess anxiety, depression and quality of life (QoL) in patients with head and neck cancer undergoing laryngectomy using comprehensive self-reported questionnaires for a period of up to 5 years. METHODS: This prospective observational study enrolled 150 consecutive patients with locally advanced head and neck cancer who underwent laryngectomy at Nagoya University Hospital between 2007 and 2020. Anxiety, depression and QoL were assessed at baseline (preoperative) and at 3, 6, 12, 24, 36, 48 and 60 months after surgery using two brief self-reported questionnaires, such as the eight-item Short Form Health Survey (SF-8) and the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS)...

INTRODUCTION: Prostate cancer patients (PCP) often struggle with a significant emotional, physical, and social burden during the care-flow pathway. Noteworthy, PCP should not be considered a standalone patient, but someone who is connected with a relevant social environment and that is usually supported by a beloved one, the caregiver. The involvement of the caregivers through the care pathway might bring significant benefits both on the psychological and the treatment and decision-making side...

The present case report describes the prosthetic management following partial loss of free-fibular osteocutaneous flap in an irradiated patient diagnosed with recurrent head and neck cancer. The patient presented with constant drooling of oral fluids due to an anatomically deficient lower lip. Salvage reconstructive surgery was not considered feasible due to past history of recurrence, multiple surgeries and radiotherapy, and financial constraints. An adhesive-retained interim silicone prosthesis was fabricated to alleviate the functional and psychosocial morbidity...

BACKGROUND: The use of transcranial direct current stimulation (tDCS) to modulate pain, psychological aspects, and cognitive functions has increased in recent years. The present scoping review aims to investigate the use of tDCS in cancer patients and its significant impact on psychocognitive and pain related symptoms. METHODS: From the earliest available date to June 2023, a comprehensive search was conducted in three electronic scientific databases-PubMed, Scopus, and Embase-and other supplementary sources...

BACKGROUND: Knowledge of the psychosocial impact of facial skin surgery on patients can help improve counselling strategies. OBJECTIVES: The objective was to measure the psychological impact of facial skin cancer surgery on patients over a 1-year period. Secondary objective was to measure the difference between Mohs micrographic surgery (MMS) and conventional excision (CE) on these parameters. METHODS: This observational survey study was conducted between March 2019 and July 2020...

PURPOSE: We evaluated the efficacy of megestrol in improving chemotherapy-related anorexia by analyzing the related scales of taste alteration. METHODS: We conducted the current study on a group of advanced patients with cancer with two or more chemotherapy cycles. The chemotherapy-induced taste alteration scale (CiTAs) scale helped assess the megestrol effects on basic taste perception, aversive taste changes, unpleasant symptoms, and associated concerns. Furthermore, the Short Nutritional Assessment Questionnaire scale (SNAQ) helped measure the impact of megestrol on malnutrition likelihood in patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced anorexia...

Multiple myeloma (MM) is an incurable cancer and is the leading indication for autologous hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). To be eligible for HSCT, a patient must have a caregiver, as caregivers play a central role in HSCT preparation and recovery. MM patients remain on treatment indefinitely, and thus patients and their caregivers face long-term challenges including the intensity of HSCT and perpetual therapy after transplant. Importantly, both patients and their caregivers show heightened depressive and anxiety symptoms, with dyadic correspondence evidenced and caregivers' distress often exceeding that of patients...

The study's significance lies in the multitude of challenges facing individuals today, such as the COVID-19 pandemic, military conflicts like the war in Ukraine, and the escalating rates of cancer morbidity and mortality. These factors contribute to the onset of anxiety and depressive disorders, disrupting various aspects of individuals' mental functioning and social interactions. Addressing these disorders effectively necessitates a comprehensive approach, combining pharmacological interventions with psychotherapeutic strategies under the guidance of specialized professionals...

Individuals with inherited cancer syndromes, such as Li-Fraumeni syndrome (LFS), may be motivated to adopt health-protective behaviors, such as eating more fruits and vegetables and increasing physical activity. Examining these health behaviors among young people with high lifetime genetic cancer risk may provide important insights to guide future behavioral interventions that aim to improve health-related quality of life (HRQOL). We used a self-regulatory framework to investigate relationships among diet and physical activity behaviors and psychosocial constructs (e...