Journal of Cancer Education最新文献

Brachytherapy (BT) is a core cancer treatment modality that delivers targeted radiotherapy through the placement of radioactive sources inside or near the area to be treated. This provides a very conformal distribution of dose that minimizes radiation exposure to normal organs. This review introduces healthcare professionals (nurses, nurse navigators, public health practitioners, family physicians, and others) to the principles, applications, and future directions of BT. It covers the intent of treatment in oncology, the different types of BT, conditions that are treated with BT and the characteristics of common BT radioactive isotopes. BT's unique characteristics allow physicians to use it in curative and palliative settings for a wide range of malignant and benign indications. Despite its importance, there are still challenges in terms of accessibility and awareness, highlighting the need for comprehensive education and specialized training in this area. In view of the rising incidence of cancer, the demand for qualified brachytherapists is expected to rise accordingly, given its essential role in cancer care. Furthermore, emerging areas in BT such as the implementation of artificial intelligence and 3-dimensional (3D) printing technology hold promise for improving the accuracy and efficiency of this modality.

Second opinions for cancer diagnosis are frequently sought although they are of variable value to the patient and their primary oncologist. The oncology opinion service launched in 2020 without barriers frequently associated with conventional health systems. Financial barriers were removed; neither patient nor insurance was billed. The service is free of charge. Consult-only service provision, without providing therapy, allows objectivity and minimizes competition between oncology practices. Rapid communication with the treating oncologists allows for consensus treatment planning. Surveys were sent to patients and primary treating physicians assessing the value of the service and to assess the patient's experience. Between 1/2020 and 12/2023, surveys were sent to patients and their physicians. 539/1244 patients and 186/1319 physicians returned the completed survey. Surveys were scored from 1 to 5 with 5 being the best. Patient surveys rated "perceived value" at 4.95. Physicians scored "helpfulness" at 4.84. Physicians scored 4.07 for the question "enhances your relationship with patient." This model of providing second opinions offers valuable services to patients and their treating physicians without adding additional financial burden or disturbing their care process.

Female patients and physicians experience gender-based challenges in medicine. We aimed to evaluate the extent of training on gender disparities in patient care and equity among physicians by hematology-oncology (HO) programs, along with barriers to training implementation. We conducted an online survey of 171 HO fellowship program directors (PDs) registered in the Association of American Medical Colleges (AAMC) or participating in the Electronic Residency Application Service (ERAS). We asked about perceived importance of gender equity (GE), extent of GE training provided, and barriers to providing it. Responses were recorded using Likert scales, multiple choice, and open-ended responses. Data were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Fifty-six program directors completed the survey (32.7%). Most felt training in GE issues is "somewhat" to "very" important to patient care (69.6%) and the physician workforce (80.4%). However, most reported their programs do not provide training in GE regarding patient care (83.9%) or the physician workforce (78.6%), most commonly due to lack of resources. Most were interested in resources for patient (93.9%) and physician (88.6%) GE. Programs were open to sharing training materials for patient (44.4%) and physician (66.7%) GE. While most HO PDs feel that GE training is important for patient care and the physician workforce, most fellowships do not offer such training primarily due to lack of resources. Given the interest for more educational GE resources, there are opportunities to develop and share materials to enhance GE training for future HO physicians.

Inappropriate or delayed initial management of musculoskeletal neoplasms can lead to severe consequences, emphasizing the need to define core competencies for frontline practitioners. Such competencies can guide medical education and residency training objectives. This study aimed to identify core clinical competencies required by general practitioners and general orthopedic surgeons without oncologic training for the initial management of musculoskeletal tumors, with a focus on implications for medical education. A two-round modified Delphi method engaged 225 members of the Latin-American Tumor Society (SLATME) through an online questionnaire on competencies for evaluating and treating musculoskeletal tumors. Of these, 136 participated in the first round, and 111 in the second. Consensus was defined as 80% agreement on competencies being essential for the described scenarios. Consensus for all frontline practitioners included the ability to determine the need for standard or urgent referral to oncology specialists. For general orthopedic surgeons, additional competencies included performing focused anamnesis and physical exams emphasizing oncologic history, requesting and interpreting appropriate imaging and laboratory tests, and recognizing aggressive features on imaging with or without radiology input. No surgical procedure achieved strong consensus; however, there was moderate agreement that internal fixation of a pathological fracture in metastatic patients is a core competency. This study established consensus on essential evaluation competencies for frontline practitioners assessing musculoskeletal tumors. While procedural competencies for general orthopedic surgeons without oncologic training lacked consensus, the findings provide a foundation for educational priorities and guide initial patient management expectations in such settings. The results can be utilized to shape medical school curricula, residency training, and continuing medical education programs.

Gamification and social networking can be used as active learning tools, as they have been shown to increase learner motivation. Nevertheless, it is unclear whether they impact students' knowledge acquisition. This study aimed to share an educational experience for medical students using Kahoot and TikTok as active teaching/learning tools and assessed whether they improve academic performance. A retrospective quasi-experimental study was conducted with 176 students enrolled in radiation oncology in the 2021/22 academic year (control group), who received traditional teaching, and 166 students in the 2022/23 academic year (experimental group), where Kahoot and TikTok were added to traditional teaching. Final exam results of both groups were compared to assess learning differences, as well as those of the experimental group in terms of participation in Kahoot and TikTok and their relationship with the final grade. Comparing the average exam scores of the experimental group to the control group showed an increase of 12.9% in the first group compared to the traditional group (6.02 vs. 7.31 points, p = 0.0001). In the experimental group, students who participated in Kahoot or TikTok increased their mean score by 0.54 points (p = 0.021) and 1.57 points (p = 0.040), respectively, compared to those who did not. A correlated increase in mean test scores was observed based on tool usage: none, Kahoot or TikTok, or both (6.19, 6.88 ± 1.48, and 7.51 ± 1.20 points, p = 0.019). Using Kahoot and TikTok as active learning tools for medical students improved academic performance when integrated with traditional methodology.

Cancer is the second leading cause of death in Wisconsin, with higher rates in Black/African American (Black) and Hispanic/Latino (Hispanic) populations. In partnership with Milwaukee Recreation (MKE Rec), Total Wellness (TW) was created to provide lifestyle and cancer prevention programming to local communities. Program feasibility, potential efficacy, and sustainability were evaluated. TW is a 16-week program integrated into MKE Rec and implemented over two 8-week sessions led by instructors trained in lifestyle change and cancer prevention. TW was evaluated at the individual and systems level. Class registrants were invited to participate in the evaluation, which included surveys and a physical assessment. Sixty participants consented to the program evaluation: 58.3% self-identified as Black and 7.3% as Hispanic. Survey results indicated significant improvements in cancer knowledge, self-reported diet, and physical activity. Physical assessment showed significant improvements in weight, body mass index, blood pressure, and fitness. System-wise, three MKE Rec instructors were trained, and classes operated out of two sites, serving a predominantly Black neighborhood and a large Hispanic population. English-taught sessions of TW showed successful integration into MKE Rec programming throughout 2 years. Spanish-language only classes were attempted but did not meet minimum enrollment to proceed. TW showed success in improving individual cancer awareness and healthy lifestyle changes. TW was also integrated into MKE Rec and showed sustained success in reaching Black communities with limited reach in Hispanic communities. This program demonstrates the potential for a community health intervention program to address cancer disparities.

Students from underrepresented backgrounds are less likely to pursue careers in healthcare and research. Despite the existence of many pipeline programs to reduce this disparity, there is still a need to effectively increase the diversity of the STEM workforce. Our research education program for underrepresented high school students attempts to bridge this gap by implementing the near-peer mentorship strategy by incorporating medical students in roles as program leaders and mentors. From June 2018 to August 2022, second-year medical students at the University of California, San Diego School of Medicine, directed an 8-week program each summer for local San Diego high school students. Alumni of our program were invited to complete a survey to assess demographic information, current education, career goals, and impacts of our program. Our research education program for high school students from underrepresented races/ethnicities and/or low-SES backgrounds was effective in influencing our students to pursue higher education and maintain an interest in STEM-related careers.

Breast cancer is a major global problem affecting women, leading to changes in their physical and mental health and affecting their quality of life. Social and spiritual support can provide strength and resilience to improve their well-being. A cross-sectional study was conducted among breast cancer patients in Marrakech, Morocco. Data were collected via an interviewer-administered questionnaire by covering (a) sociodemographic, economic, and clinical data, (b) quality of life with the "EORTC Core Quality of Life Questionnaire", (c) social support with the "Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support", and (d) beliefs with the "System of Beliefs Inventory." Descriptive and correlational analyses were performed. The study included 220 breast cancer patients, with a mean age of 49.7 ± 10 years, who were mostly married (69.5%). The assessment revealed moderate perceptions of social support (4.9 ± 1.45) and beliefs (40.7 ± 5.9). Significant associations were found between the level of education and religious beliefs/social support (β =  - 0.235, p = 0.023; β = 0.217, p = 0.035), living alone and social support (β = 0.282, p = 0.001), time since diagnosis and social support/SBI (β =  - 0.183, p = 0.031; β - 0.248, p = 0.004), chemotherapy treatment and hormone therapy with SBI (β - 0.223, p = 0.005; β =  - 0.168, p = 0.031), and comorbidities and social support (β = 0.170, p = 0.024). Although social support and spirituality are important, they are not directly related to quality of life, suggesting the influence of other factors on patients' perceptions of quality of life. Promoting social support for breast cancer patients is crucial for healthcare professionals, emphasizing the importance of assessing patients' social support systems and integrating resources into treatment plans. Future research should explore the types of beneficial social support, influences on QoL, the role of digital support networks, and the conduct of longitudinal studies for more meaningful results.

The incidence of colorectal cancer (CRC) in younger adults has risen by about 1-2% annually in the past decade. TikTok has become a popular venue for the discussion of health information among young adults. This study analyzed the top 85 most-liked TikToks under the search terms "early colon cancer" and "young adult colon cancer," to evaluate their educational value. Data on the post uploader, content, analytics, and mentioned tips/symptoms were collected. Two independent researchers rated the quality of each video using a global quality score (GQS). The videos analyzed had a total of over 37 million views. Among them, 16.47% highlighted how misinformation contributed to delayed diagnoses, yet only 2.35% specifically educated viewers about such misinformation. Provider-posted content had higher GQS ratings than non-provider content (p < 0.05), indicating better quality, although total views were higher for non-provider content. The GQS did not differ significantly between highly viewed (> 100,000 views) and lower-viewed (≤ 100,000 views) videos. Our results highlight that TikTok is a key platform for engaging young adults about rising CRC rates, though increased expert engagement is needed to address current gaps in combating misinformation and promoting high-quality educational content.