Fear of cancer

INTRODUCTION: Inflammatory bowel disease (IBD) is a relative contraindication to external beam radiation therapy (EBRT) for prostate cancer patients due to fear of increased risk of gastrointestinal (GI) toxicity. High-dose-rate (HDR) brachytherapy, capable of minimizing radiation dose to surrounding tissues, is a feasible alternative. Given limited data, this study examined the safety profile of HDR brachytherapy in this setting. MATERIAL AND METHODS: We conducted a retrospective review of patients with localized prostate cancer and IBD treated with HDR brachytherapy at the University of California San Francisco (UCSF), between 2010 and 2022...

PURPOSE: We aimed to systematically review studies that used a group-based trajectory modeling approach to explore the categories of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) trajectories and their predictors in cancer survivors. METHODS: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, Scopus, and Web of Science were searched. Three authors independently reviewed the literature for predefined eligibility criteria. The Joanna Briggs Institute critical appraisal tools for Cohort Studies and the Guidelines for Reporting on Latent Trajectory Studies were used to assess the quality of included studies...

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Background: Adults with advanced cancer experience profound future uncertainty, reflected in elevated fear of cancer progression (FoP) and cancer-related trauma symptoms. These symptoms are associated with physical symptom burden and poorer quality of life, and few interventions exist to manage them. Objective: To develop and pilot a written exposure-based coping intervention (EASE) focused on worst-case scenarios among adults with advanced cancer reporting elevated cancer-related trauma symptoms or FoP. Design: A single-arm intervention development and pilot trial...

Purpose: This study aimed to explore the experiences of young adult cancer patients within the Tunisian context. Methods: A total of 104 patients between the ages of 20 and 40, undergoing treatment for various types and stages of cancer, participated in a questionnaire-based survey. The survey encompassed topics related to the socioeconomic and psychological impacts of cancer, coping mechanisms, relationships, sexuality, and future aspirations. Results: Of the participants, 78 were women (75%) and 26 were men (25%), with an average age of 33 years...

PURPOSE: Following treatment completion, colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors experience various unmet needs. This review aims to synthesize the unmet needs of CRC survivors after treatment and to identify demographic, disease or treatment-related, healthcare-related, and psychosocial factors correlated with unmet needs. METHOD: English or Chinese articles that focused on CRC survivors' post-treatment unmet needs were systematically searched from the five electronic databases, which included CINAHL, PubMed, Embase, PsycINFO, and the China Academic Journal Full-text Database, from the launch of databases to July 2023...

INTRODUCTION: Rates of lung cancer screening among Latinos remain low. The purpose of the study was to understand the perceived benefits, barriers, and cues to action for lung cancer screening among Latinos. METHODS: Participants (N=20) were recruited using community-based recruitment strategies. Eligibility criteria included: 1) self-identified as Hispanic/Latino, 2) spoke English and/or Spanish, and 3) met the USA Preventive Services Task Force eligibility criteria for lung cancer screening...

BACKGROUND: Breast cancer is the most prevalent cancer among women globally, and surgical procedures continue to be the primary treatment. However, over 50% of patients experience preoperative anxiety due to the unknown and fear associated with surgery. Although drug therapy is commonly used to address this anxiety, its side effects have led to a heated debate regarding its effectiveness. Consequently, non-pharmacological therapies, such as preoperative education, have emerged as an alternative approach to alleviate anxiety...

OBJECTIVE: Psychological distress persists amongst breast cancer survivors, so reliable assessment of symptoms is essential. The Patient Health Questionnaire Anxiety and Depression Scale (PHQ-ADS) is a composite measure of depression and anxiety and has been used to measure distress. This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the PHQ-ADS within breast cancer survivors. METHOD: Breast cancer survivors (N = 280) were recruited online and followed up at 12-months...

BACKGROUND: Opioid pain management in cancer survivorship is a complex and understudied topic. METHODS: The authors conducted in-depth, qualitative interviews to understand clinician approaches to opioid pain management in chronic cancer pain and to generate ideas for improvement. They used a rigorous, inductive, qualitative, descriptive approach to examine clinician (n = 20) perspectives about opioid pain management in survivorship, including oncologists (n = 5), palliative care clinicians (n = 8), primary care clinicians (n = 5), and pain management specialists (n = 2)...

BACKGROUND: Two million people in the UK are living with or beyond cancer and a third of them report poor quality of life (QoL) due to problems such as fatigue, fear of cancer recurrence, and concerns about returning to work. We aimed to develop and evaluate an intervention based on acceptance and commitment therapy (ACT), suited to address the concerns of cancer survivors and in improving their QoL. We also recognise the importance of exercise and vocational activity on QoL and therefore will integrate options for physical activity and return to work/vocational support, thus ACT Plus (+)...

INTRODUCTION: Head and neck cancer squamous cell carcinoma (HNSCC) is the seventh most common cancer worldwide with around 600000 new diagnosis each year. Nowadays, in locally advanced disease, radiotherapy (RT) play an important role, this with or without chemotherapy in organ preservation strategies. More specific for early stage localized disease, RT (or surgery) seems to give similar results on locoregional control (LRC) and choice is made according to the organ preservation issue...

AIM: The aim of this study was to explore the experiences of cancer patients regarding venous access ports. BACKGROUND: The utilization of intravenous access ports for administering chemotherapy drugs is on the rise. Understanding patients' experiences with these devices can provide valuable insights for nursing managers and nurses. METHODS: A conventional qualitative content analysis approach was employed to explore the experiences of 14 patients who had venous access ports...

PURPOSE: Clinical research trials are needed to enhance the medical care and treatment for lung cancer, which remains the leading cause of cancer-related deaths worldwide. While clinical trials allow for the development of novel therapies to treat cancer, the recruitment of lung cancer patients to trials is low. This review aimed to identify and synthesise the available literature concerning barriers and facilitators affecting lung cancer patients' decisions to enrol in clinical trials to guide future cancer research efforts...

Breast cancer screening by mammography is widely used. The diagnostic accuracy is limited, with a positive predictive value of 16%. Therefore, a stepwise investigation, with repeat mammography and confirmation by pathology, is usually proposed. Although this stepwise investigation intends to avoid overtreatment, the many false positives result in unnecessary fear and diagnostic surgery in many women. The false negatives are not known since these women have not been investigated. Given the estimated low risk of missing breast cancer and the slow growth, repeating a screening mammography every two years is sufficient...

Lynch syndrome is an underdiagnosed genetic condition that increases lifetime colorectal, endometrial, and other cancer risk. Cascade testing in relatives is recommended to increase diagnoses and enable access to cancer prevention services, yet uptake is limited due to documented multi-level barriers. Individual barriers such as feelings of fear, guilt, and anxiety and limited knowledge about Lynch syndrome as well as interpersonal barriers including complex family dynamics and language barriers limit family communication about Lynch syndrome and prevent uptake of genetic screening for relatives...

Introduction Cancer screening programmes for cervical, breast, and colorectal cancer have successfully reduced mortality rates among target groups. However, a large proportion of women and men are unscreened. Aim This review aims to provide an overview of the literature regarding the determinants of cancer screening participation among target groups in Queensland. Methods Electronic databases were searched for studies on determinants of cancer screening participation in Queensland. Retrieved studies were screened, and eligible articles were selected for data extraction...

BACKGROUND: A cancer diagnosis can be psychologically challenging to individuals due to perceptions that the disease is potentially incurable truncating life expectancy. The purpose of the study was to examine the relationships among religious well-being, existential well-being, fear of progression and quality of life in Iranian patients with cancer and to evaluate the potential mediating role of hope on these relationships. METHODS: This study with predictive cross-sectional design was done in 2023...

BACKGROUND: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) significantly impacts the treatment and prognosis of lung cancer survivors. However, the mechanisms and factors contributing to FCR and its related consequences in lung cancer remain poorly understood. OBJECTIVE: To evaluate the validity of the Lee-Jones Theoretical Model of FCR in lung cancer survivors. METHODS: A cross-sectional survey was conducted among 257 lung cancer survivors who had undergone surgical treatment 1 year prior...

(1) Background: This observational cohort study describes the frequency, content, and satisfaction with advance care planning (ACP) conversations with healthcare providers (HCPs), as reported by patients with advanced colorectal cancer. (2) Methods: The patients were recruited from two tertiary cancer centers in Alberta, Canada. Using the My Conversations survey with previously validated questions, the patients were asked about specific ACP elements discussed, with which HCPs these elements were discussed, their satisfaction with these conversations, and whether they had a goals of care designation (GCD) order...