Oncology nursing forum最新文献

Objectives: To determine the level of preparedness, uncertainty, and distress of family caregivers (FCs) of patients before and after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Sample & setting: This study is a longitudinal cohort panel study involving 69 FCs of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation.

Methods & variables: Data were collected during the first week of hospitalization (T0) and two weeks after discharge (T1) via FCs' demographic information, a clinical status form for patients, two scales, and a psychological distress instrument. IBM SPSS Statistics, version 16.0, was used for data analysis.

Results: The mean preparedness among FCs decreased significantly at T1 compared to T0. In addition, the uncertainty experienced by FCs was significantly higher at T0 than at T1.

Implications for nursing: Assessing the readiness of FCs and providing them with psychological and supportive interventions before patients are discharged is crucial for ensuring better care of patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation. Nurses must offer comprehensive information to FCs about patients' diagnosis, treatment, and care protocol to minimize uncertainty.

Recent policy changes and potential reductions in federal research funding highlight the need for clarity around the evidence supporting diversity, equity, and inclusion initiatives in health care and the role of organization.

Objectives: To describe the relationships among patient self-advocacy, patient-centered communication, pain intensity, and opioid stigma in female breast cancer survivors aged 65 years or older.

Sample & setting: 73 women in a longitudinal study of symptoms experienced during the first year and as many as three years after breast cancer surgery.

Methods & variables: This prospective, cross-sectional study employed a descriptive, correlational design. Participants completed instrument assessments measuring self-advocacy, patient-centered communication, pain intensity, and opioid stigma.

Results: Self-advocacy correlated moderately positively with patient-centered communication. Patient-centered communication correlated moderately positively with informed decision-making.

Implications for nursing: Nurses can empower patients with the necessary skills to self-advocate for their needs and facilitate a patient-centered clinical environment to improve outcomes.

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of women's breast cancer worry, breast cancer fear, cancer information overload, and mammography barrier perception on undergoing mammography.

Sample & setting: 263 women aged 40-69 years who presented for any reason at the Cancer Early Diagnosis, Screening, and Education Center or the Family Health Center in Turkey were included. Data were collected from January to March 2023.

Methods & variables: This cross-sectional study assessed breast cancer worry, breast cancer fear, cancer information overload, and mammography barrier perception.

Results: Age, a health professional's referral, knowledge about screening, lack of time, postponement, and mammography-related pain were factors that affected whether patients underwent screening. Those who were having regular screening tests had higher levels of cancer worry, and those who had never been screened had higher mammography barrier perception. The variables considered in the structural equation modeling differed in terms of those who were screened regularly, irregularly, or never.

Implications for nursing: This study showed that women's breast cancer worry, breast cancer fear, cancer information overload, and mammography barrier perception affected their screening adherence. Each woman must be assessed individually to identify and address perceived barriers.

Problem identification: There is a gap in knowledge about the efficacy of exercise in managing cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in adolescents and young adults (AYAs) during and after chemotherapy.

Literature search: A systematic search was conducted in Scopus®, PubMed®, and CINAHL®, as well as citation searching, for studies about the impact of exercise on CRF in the AYA population. Abstract and full-text screening of 2,234 studies produced 15 studies for systematic review and 13 for meta-analysis.

Data evaluation: Effect size was calculated using standardized mean difference and confidence intervals. Subgroup analysis was conducted to assess the impact of various exercise types on CRF. A meta-regression was performed using exercise frequency, intensity, and duration as predictors to determine relationships with effect size on CRF and adherence to exercise.

Synthesis: Exercise had a large effect size on CRF in AYAs. No difference in effect size estimates for exercise type subgroups was observed. A linear association was found between exercise duration and CRF (p = 0.005), and exercise intensity and adherence (p = 0.037).

Implications for practice: Exercise is effective in managing CRF among AYAs, and efforts should be aimed toward including it in routine oncologic care.

To commemorate ONS's 50th anniversary in 2025, throughout the year, we will be reprinting seminal editorials written by former editors of the Oncology Nursing Forum and the Clinical Journal of Oncology Nursing that have had.

Purpose: To investigate the effects of chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) on the distress and quality of life of male patients with cancer and to identify characteristics that place these patients at risk for higher distress and lower quality of life.

Participants & setting: 146 patients with alopecia seen in an outpatient chemotherapy unit and receiving at least one cycle of chemotherapy participated in the study from March to December 2023.

Methodologic approach: Data were collected via face-to-face interviews using an individual information form, the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Distress Thermometer, and the CIA Quality-of-Life Scale.

Findings: Education level, marital status, pretreatment hair loss status, alopecia severity, hair accessory use because of alopecia, self-reported mood change from alopecia, and distress score significantly affected CIA and explained 72% of the variance in CIA Quality-of-Life Scale scores.

Implications for nursing: Oncology nurses are pivotal in the prevention and early management of CIA. Patients who are expected to lose their hair because of chemotherapy should be informed before treatment and given suggestions to mitigate the impact of changes in appearance. Patients should be educated about pharmacologic and nonpharmacologic approaches that can be used to cope with CIA.

Objectives: To identify symptom profiles (e.g., fatigue, sleep disturbance, depression, anxiety, cognitive impairment) among prostate cancer survivors, examine factors associated with the identified symptom profiles, and compare quality-of-life outcomes.

Sample & setting: 98 prostate cancer survivors who completed primary treatment were enrolled in a randomized parent trial.

Methods & variables: Established scales were used to measure symptoms and quality of life. Latent profile analysis was employed to classify patient groups based on symptom experiences. Logistic regression assessed factors associated with symptom profiles.

Results: The mean age of participants was 69 years (SD = 6.8). A high-symptom group (n = 29) and a low-symptom group (n = 69) were identified. Higher perceived stress (odds ratio [OR] = 1.28; p = 0.006), poorer spiritual well-being (OR = 0.84; p = 0.006), and lower household income (OR = 0.12; p = 0.089) were associated with being classified into the high-symptom group. Patients in the high-symptom group reported worse quality of life across all domains (p < 0.05).

Implications for nursing: Prostate cancer survivors experience varying degrees of symptom severity. Understanding the symptom profiles and associated factors can inform nurses about patients in need of symptom management and targeted interventions.

Objectives: To identify distinct morning and evening fatigue profiles in patients with gynecologic cancers and evaluate for differences in demographic and clinical characteristics, common symptoms, and quality-of-life outcomes.

Sample & setting: Outpatients with gynecologic cancers (N = 233) were recruited before their second or third cycles of chemotherapy at four cancer centers in San Francisco Bay and New York.

Methods & variables: The Lee Fatigue Scale was completed six times over two cycles of chemotherapy in the morning and in the evening. Latent profile analysis was used to identify distinct morning and evening fatigue profiles.

Results: Four distinct morning and two distinct evening fatigue classes were identified. Common risk factors for morning and evening fatigue included younger age, higher body mass index, lower functional status, and higher comorbidity burden. Patients in the worst morning and evening fatigue classes reported higher levels of anxiety, depression, and sleep disturbance; lower levels of energy and cognitive function; and poorer quality of life.

Implications for nursing: Clinicians can use this information to identify higher-risk patients and develop individualized interventions for morning and evening fatigue.

As scholars, we must do the uncomfortable task of offering productive criticism of manuscripts written by colleagues who have invested considerable effort and time. Writing is personal, and it can be painful when a colleague.