Asia-Pacific Journal of Oncology Nursing最新文献

Objective

This study aims to estimate the incidence of intimate partner violence (IPV) among women cancer survivors and identify associated factors.

Methods

Using Whittemore and Knafl's integrative review method, we synthesized literature on the association between IPV and cancer in women.

Results

We conducted a comprehensive search of literature published between 2003 and 2024 across eight databases, resulting in 24 English-language articles. These articles included qualitative, quantitative, and mixed-method studies. Our synthesis identified several factors influencing the relationship between IPV and cancer, including sociodemographic factors (e.g., age and income), health-related factors, lifestyle-related factors (such as life experiences and interpersonal relationships), cancer-related factors (including type and treatment), and cancer screening behaviors.

Conclusions

The study highlights that various factors contribute to the prevalence of IPV among women with cancer. Particularly vulnerable are younger patients, those with lower incomes, and those with more severe disease manifestations. Healthcare professionals should assess for IPV risk during medical consultations and ensure access to appropriate support services.

Objectives

To evaluate the effect of topical corticosteroids (TCS) in preventing acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer.

Methods

An updated systematic review and meta-analysis were conducted following the preferred reporting items for systematic reviews and meta-analyses. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs) in six English databases (PubMed, Web of Science, Scopus, CINAHL, Cochrane Library, Embase), three Chinese databases (Sinomed, China National Knowledge Infrastructure, Cqvip), and two clinical trial registration platforms (CHICTR, Clinicaltrials.gov) were systematically searched from inception to 1 February 2024.

Results

Thirteen RCTs were included, with 1172 patients in this updated review. Meta-analysis showed that TCS reduced the rate of moist desquamation (OR = 0.31; 95% CI = [0.22, 0.44]; P < 0.01), the incidence of Radiation Therapy Oncology Group ratings of grade 2 or higher (OR = 0.22; 95% CI = [0.14, 0.32]; P < 0.01), the incidence of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events ratings of grade 2 or higher (OR = 0.56; 95% CI = [0.37, 0.84]; P < 0.01), the mean score of radiation dermatitis (SMD = −0.46; 95% CI = [−0.59, −0.34]; P < 0.01), skin erythema and hyperpigmentation readings, and improved subjective symptoms.

Conclusions

TCS can effectively prevent acute radiation dermatitis in patients with breast cancer.

Systematic review registration

Prospero (CRD42024507890).

Objective

The aim of this study was to assess the level of financial toxicity (FT) experienced by the following three age groups of cancer patients in China: young working-aged patients (age < 40 years), middle-aged patients (40–64 years), and older patients (≥ 65 years).

Methods

The data used for this study were collected via a cross-sectional survey conducted in China. FT was assessed using the Comprehensive Score for Financial Toxicity (COST). ANOVA was used to examine the differences in FT status between age groups. Multivariate linear regression models were employed to assess the association between age and FT, adjusted by socioeconomic and other clinical characteristics.

Results

A total of 556 cancer patients completed the survey. Approximately 54.3% of the participants were male and 45.7% were female. The majority (61.5%) were aged 40–64 years, while 27.7% were aged 65 or older. The mean FT scores for young patients (< 40 years), middle-aged patients (40–64 years), and older patients (≥ 65 years) were 16.7, 12.8, and 12.4, respectively. The results of the regression analysis revealed that, without adjusting for background characteristics, young patients had significantly higher mean COST scores. This suggests they experienced lower levels of FT compared to patients in other age groups. Stratified analysis revealed that, for older patients, only educational level and type of insurance scheme were significant factors in predicting the COST score.

Conclusions

This study provides empirical evidence for developing targeted interventions and policies to reduce the FT for patients in different age groups. Given that FT is complicated, a longitudinal study should be conducted to explore the long-term impact of FT on cancer patients' quality of life and well-being.

The rapidly expanding class of therapies targeting immune checkpoints for the treatment of various cancers now includes 8 clinically approved agents: a lymphocyte-activation gene 3 (LAG-3) inhibitor (relatlimab), a cytotoxic T lymphocyte associated protein 4 (CTLA-4) inhibitor (ipilimumab), three programmed cell death protein 1 (PD-1) inhibitors (nivolumab, pembrolizumab and cemiplimab), and three programmed cell death ligand-1 (PD-L1) inhibitors (atezolizumab, durvalumab, and avelumab). Previously, we reviewed the mechanisms of immune-related adverse events (irAEs), strategies for management of irAEs, and highlighted similarities as well as differences amongst clinical guidelines from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network (NCCN), American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO), Society for Immunotherapy of Cancer (SITC), and European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO). Herein, we provide an update that includes discussion of changes to these clinical guidelines since our last review, the new LAG-3 targeted agents, emerging patterns of irAEs, and new directions for improved monitoring and treatment of irAEs that could incorporate interdisciplinary pharmacist-led teams, artificial intelligence, and pharmacogenomics.

Objective

In Canada, populations experiencing socioeconomic inequality have lower rates of access to screening and diagnosis and higher mortality rates than people from higher-income areas. Limited evidence exists concerning their experiences when living with advanced cancer. We explored how socioeconomic inequality shapes the experiences of patients with advanced cancer.

Methods

We utilized a qualitative study design that combined tenets of hermeneutic phenomenological inquiry and critical theory. Four individuals with advanced cancer from low-income neighborhoods, three family members, and six cancer care providers were accrued through a tertiary cancer center in a western Canadian city. One-on-one interviews and brief notes were used for data collection. Data were analyzed through thematic analysis.

Results

Three interrelated themes were identified: ‘Lack of access to socioeconomic supports,’ ‘Gaps in access to health care resources and services,’ and ‘Limited access to symptom relief.’ Patients experienced inadequate finances, housing, and transportation. Most patients lived alone and had limited family and social support. Patients reported lack of knowledge of available resources and health system navigation issues, including communication problems with providers and among levels of care. Cancer care providers and patients described issues achieving symptom relief as well as challenges associated with extensive disease.

Conclusions

Study findings suggest that socioeconomic inequality interferes with the ability of persons with advanced cancer to access health care and contributes to less optimal cancer outcomes. Socioeconomic inequality may increase symptom severity. Findings call for the development of tailored interventions for populations with advanced cancer and socioeconomic inequality.

Objective

The study aims to investigate the information needs and preferences of colorectal cancer (CRC) patients undergoing chemotherapy using a discrete choice experiment (DCE) to optimize and improve the information support strategy for these patients.

Methods

Between May and July 2023, 165 patients with CRC who were receiving chemotherapy at a single hospital in China completed the questionnaire. The survey instruments included a general information questionnaire, a DCE questionnaire, and the Brief Health Literacy Screening Scale. A conditional logit model was used with Stata 16.0 software to analyze patients' preferences.

Results

A total of 159 valid questionnaires were collected, and the questionnaire response rate was 96.4%. All 7 included attributes had an impact on patients' information needs preference (P < 0.05). Among them, information providers, knowledge content, and social support had high relative importance, which were 12.16%, 7.57% and 2.25%, respectively. Patients showed a preference for attending doctors (β = 1.9439, P < 0.05) and primary nurses (β = 1.7985, P < 0.05). Providing knowledge related to disease basis, treatment, and health promotion also had a significant impact (β = 1.6224, P < 0.05).

Conclusions

Healthcare professionals should be the primary information source for patients and improve the accessibility of information by establishing professional information platforms or identifying reliable channels. It is recommended to provide continuous information on treatment and health promotion to CRC patients at various stages of chemotherapy. Attention should be paid to identifying and providing measures to alleviate the economic and psychological burden and to meet the social support needs of patients.

Objective

This article reports on a secondary analysis of a qualitative study conducted in Nairobi, Kenya that reported several initial themes. In this article, the authors explore the theme of treatment-related side effect management by women receiving treatment for breast or cervical cancer.

Methods

Women were interviewed at three points during their active treatment trajectory. Participants were purposefully selected and saturation was reached when interviews did not yield any new themes. The interviews were transcribed and analyzed for internal consistency, frequency, extensiveness, intensity and specificity. The Nvivo pro 12 software was used in organizing and managing the data to facilitate analysis.

Results

Eighteen women were interviewed. Major side effects reported by participants included fatigue, alopecia, skin and nail changes as well as nausea and vomiting. Women who received information prior to treatment were more comfortable managing side effects. Participants described the impact of side effects on their daily life, body image, and many sought comfort through faith. Some women provided suggestions on strategies for patient education.

Conclusions

This study attempted to capture the cancer treatment-related experiences of Kenyan women in their own voices and present strategies for future intervention and research. The care of individuals receiving treatment can be enhanced through the advancement of health human resources, the development of nationally accessible patient education materials and research on regionally relevant strategies to manage cancer treatment-related side effects.

Objective

Many young male cancer patients experience reproductive concerns. Self-disclosure might be able to improve patients’ perceived social support and reproductive concerns. Nevertheless, these relationships have not yet been confirmed among young male cancer patients. This study aims to investigate the level of reproductive concerns and to identify the mediating role of perceived social support between self-disclosure and reproductive concerns among young male cancer patients in China by developing a structural model.

Methods

This study was a quantitative, cross-sectional design. We used the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) statement guidelines to report this study. A total of 369 young male cancer survivors were recruited by convenience sampling from two tertiary hospitals in Taiyuan, Shanxi, China. Data were collected using a “general data questionnaire”, “distress disclosure index” (DDI), “perceived social support scale” (PSSS), and “reproductive concerns after cancer-male” (RCAC-M) via the WeChat mini program “Questionnaire Star” and paper questionnaire. Descriptive statistics, Pearson correlation analyses, and structural equation models were adopted to analyze the data.

Results

Reproductive concerns were at moderate levels and negatively associated with self-disclosure (r = −0.619, P < 0.01) and perceived social support (r = −0.599, P < 0.01). Self-disclosure indirectly influenced reproductive concerns (−0.328∼–0.159, P < 0.001) through perceived social support.

Conclusions

Self-disclosure and perceived social support are closely associated with reproductive concerns in young male cancer patients, and perceived social support is a mediator between self-disclosure and reproductive concerns. Healthcare providers could reduce reproductive concerns by enhancing self-disclosure and improving perceived social support.

Trial registration

This study was registered on ClinicalTrials.gov on June 13, 2023 (NCT05914181).