Integrating self-management into daily life following primary treatment: head and neck cancer survivors' perspectives.

Background: Self-management may help cancer survivors to better deal with challenges to their physical, functional, social and psychological well-being presented by cancer and its treatment. Nonetheless, little is known about how people integrate cancer self-management practices into their daily lives. The aim of this study was to describe and characterise the processes through which head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors attempt to integrate self-management into their daily lives following primary treatment.

Barriers to active self-management following treatment for head and neck cancer: Survivors' perspectives.

Objective: Active self-management practices may help head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors to deal with challenges to their physical, functional, social, and psychological well-being presented by HNC and its treatment. This study investigates the factors perceived by HNC survivors to act as barriers to their active self-management following primary treatment.

Methods: In this qualitative study, 27 HNC survivors identified through 4 designated cancer centres in Ireland participated in face-to-face semistructured interviews.

Posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer survivors: Is it possible and what are the correlates?

Objectives: Posttraumatic growth (PTG) is a possible positive consequence of a traumatic event, such as cancer. Head and neck cancer (HNC) may be particularly traumatic, given its adverse effects on functional, psychological, and social wellbeing. We investigated the extent of PTG, factors associated with PTG, and associations between PTG and health-related quality-of-life (HRQoL) in HNC survivors.

Worry in Head and Neck Cancer Caregivers: The Role of Survivor Factors, Care-Related Stressors, and Loneliness in Predicting Fear of Recurrence.

Background: Fear of recurrence (FOR) is a primary concern for both cancer survivors and their caregivers, yet little is known about what care-related factors exacerbate this worry.

Objectives: This study aimed to establish the role of care-related stressors-as distinct from survivor characteristics-in predicting FOR in head and neck cancer caregivers.

Methods: HNC survivor-caregiver dyads took part in a mailed survey.

Self-management strategies used by head and neck cancer survivors following completion of primary treatment: A directed content analysis.

Objective: Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors encounter unique challenges following treatment. This study aimed to identify self-management strategies that HNC survivors use to overcome these posttreatment challenges.

Methods: Twenty-seven individuals from 4 designated cancer centres in Ireland were interviewed about self-management strategies that helped them overcome challenges following HNC treatment.

Associations between neighbourhood support and financial burden with unmet needs of head and neck cancer survivors.

Purpose: To assess the unmet needs of head and neck cancer survivors and investigate associated factors. In particular, to explore whether social support (family/friends and neighbours) and financial burden are associated with unmet needs of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors.

Methods: This was a cross-sectional study of HNC survivors, with 583 respondents included in the analysis.

Cancer survivors' perspectives on adjustment-focused self-management interventions: a qualitative meta-synthesis.

Purpose: Self-management interventions improve patient outcomes across a range of long-term conditions but are often limited by low uptake and completion rates. The aim of this paper was to conduct a meta-synthesis of qualitative studies exploring cancer survivors' views and experiences of engaging with adjustment-focused self-management interventions in order to inform the development of future interventions targeting this population.

Methods: Four electronic databases were systematically searched.

Burden and happiness in head and neck cancer carers: the role of supportive care needs.

Purpose: Our study aimed to investigate the relationship between unmet supportive care needs and carer burden and happiness, in head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Two hundred eighty-five HNC informal carers were sent a postal questionnaire between January and June 2014, which included the supportive care needs survey for partners and caregivers of cancer survivors (SCNS-P&C) and the CarerQol, which assesses burden and happiness. Multiple regression analysis was conducted to examine the association of (i) carer characteristics, (ii) carer situation, and (iii) unmet supportive care needs, with carer burden and happiness

Results: One hundred ninety-seven carers completed the questionnaire (response rate = 69 %), 180 of whom were included in the analysis.

Distress in long-term head and neck cancer carers: a qualitative study of carers' perspectives.

Aims And Objectives: To identify and describe the triggers of emotional distress among long-term caregivers (more than 1 year postdiagnosis) of people with head and neck cancer.

Background: Limited research has been conducted on the factors that cause head and neck cancer caregivers to become distressed.

Design: Qualitative cross-sectional.

The unmet supportive care needs of long-term head and neck cancer caregivers in the extended survivorship period.

Aims And Objectives: To examine the unmet supportive care needs of long-term head and neck cancer caregivers, and the factors associated with those needs.

Background: Research on the unmet needs of head and neck cancer caregivers is lacking, particularly in the long-term survivorship period.

Design: Survey of 197 caregivers.

What factors are associated with posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer carers?

Purpose: Researchers have recently called for more work to be conducted on positive outcomes and head and neck cancer. The purpose of this study was to investigate the factors associated with posttraumatic growth in head and neck cancer caregivers.

Methods And Sample: 197 carers were surveyed.

The financial impact of head and neck cancer caregiving: a qualitative study.

Background: There is a lack of research on the financial impacts that head and neck cancer has on caregivers.

Objective: To explore the overall financial impact of head and neck cancer on caregivers; to describe the factors that mitigate this impact.

Methods: Interviews with 31 caregivers (mean time caring: 5.

Comparing the costs of three prostate cancer follow-up strategies: a cost minimisation analysis.

Purpose: Prostate cancer follow-up is traditionally provided by clinicians in a hospital setting. Growing numbers of prostate cancer survivors mean that this model of care may not be economically sustainable, and a number of alternative approaches have been suggested. The aim of this study was to develop an economic model to compare the costs of three alternative strategies for prostate cancer follow-up in Ireland-the European Association of Urology (EAU) guidelines, the National Institute of Health Care Excellence (NICE) guidelines and current practice.

Pre-diagnosis employment status and financial circumstances predict cancer-related financial stress and strain among breast and prostate cancer survivors.

Purpose: Cancer may have a significant financial impact on patients, but the characteristics that predispose patients to cancer-related financial hardship are poorly understood. We investigated factors associated with cancer-related financial stress and strain in breast and prostate cancer survivors in Ireland, which has a complex mixed public-private healthcare system.

Methods: Postal questionnaires were distributed to 1373 people diagnosed with cancer 3-24 months previously identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland.

Productivity Losses Associated with Head and Neck Cancer Using the Human Capital and Friction Cost Approaches.

Objectives: Previous studies suggest that productivity losses associated with head and neck cancer (HNC) are higher than in other cancers. These studies have only assessed a single aspect of productivity loss, such as temporary absenteeism or premature mortality, and have only used the Human Capital Approach (HCA). The Friction Cost Approach (FCA) is increasingly recommended, although has not previously been used to assess lost production from HNC.

The magnitude and characteristics of the population of cancer survivors: using population-based estimates of cancer prevalence to inform service planning for survivorship care.

Background: Rising cancer incidence and survival mean that the number of cancer survivors is growing. Accumulating evidence suggests many survivors have long-term medical and supportive care needs, and that these needs vary by survivors' socio-demographic and clinical characteristics. To illustrate how cancer registry data may be useful in survivorship care service planning, we generated population-based estimates of cancer prevalence in Ireland and described socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the survivor population.

Long-term workforce participation patterns following head and neck cancer.

Purpose: This analysis describes the long-term workforce participation patterns of individuals diagnosed with head and neck cancer (HNC).

Methods: Survivors of HNC (ICD10 C00-C14, C32) diagnosed at least 8 months previously were identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland and sent a survey including questions about working arrangements before and since diagnosis. Descriptive statistics and multivariate logistic regression were used to examine the factors that influence workforce participation at 0, 1 and 5 years after diagnosis.

Quality of life in urban and rural settings: a study of head and neck cancer survivors.

Objective: Urban-rural variation in cancer incidence, treatment, and clinical outcomes has been well researched. With the growing numbers and longer lifespan of cancer survivors, quality of life (QOL) is now a critical issue. The present study investigates the QOL of head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors in Ireland, paying special attention to urban and rural variation.

"It's at a time in your life when you are most vulnerable": a qualitative exploration of the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis and implications for financial protection in health.

Although cancer patients may incur a wide range of cancer-related out-of-pocket costs and experience reduced income, the consequences of this financial burden are poorly understood. We investigated: financial adjustments needed to cope with the cancer-related financial burden; financial distress (defined as a reaction to the state of personal finances); and factors that increase risk of financial difficulties. Two sets of semi-structured face-to-face interviews were conducted with 20 patients with breast, lung and prostate cancer and 21 hospital-based oncology social workers (OSWs) in Ireland, which has a mixed public-private healthcare system.

The multidimensional nature of the financial and economic burden of a cancer diagnosis on patients and their families: qualitative findings from a country with a mixed public-private healthcare system.

Purpose: Although awareness is increasing that cancer can have an adverse financial and economic impact for patients, the overall burden remains poorly understood. To elucidate these issues, we used qualitative methods to explore the financial impact of a cancer diagnosis in Ireland, which has a mixed public-private healthcare system and where sick leave and sick pay are at employers' discretion.

Methods: Face-to-face semi-structured interviews were conducted with hospital-based oncology social workers (OSWs; 21 OSWs from 11 hospitals) and patients (20 from eight hospitals; 11 breast, 5 prostate and 4 lung cancer).

Inter-relationships between the economic and emotional consequences of colorectal cancer for patients and their families: a qualitative study.

Background: While the evidence-base concerning the economic impact of cancer for patients and their families/carers has grown in recent years, there is little known about how emotional responses to cancer influence this economic impact. We investigated the economic costs of cancer in the context of patients' emotions and how these both shaped the patient and family burden.

Methods: Health professionals from six hospitals invited patients diagnosed with colorectal cancer (ICD10 C18-C20) within the previous year to take part in the study.

Breast and prostate cancer productivity costs: a comparison of the human capital approach and the friction cost approach.

Objectives: Productivity costs constitute a substantial proportion of the total societal costs associated with cancer. We compared the results of applying two different analytical methods--the traditional human capital approach (HCA) and the emerging friction cost approach (FCA)--to estimate breast and prostate cancer productivity costs in Ireland in 2008.

Methods: Data from a survey of breast and prostate cancer patients were combined with population-level survival estimates and a national wage data set to calculate costs of temporary disability (cancer-related work absence), permanent disability (workforce departure, reduced working hours), and premature mortality.

Associations between cancer-related financial stress and strain and psychological well-being among individuals living with cancer.

Background: Cancer places a financial and economic burden on individuals, but relatively little is known about the consequences. We investigated associations between cancer-related financial stress and strain and psychological well-being.

Methods: Individuals >6 months post-diagnosis with breast, prostate and lung cancer, identified from the National Cancer Registry Ireland, completed a postal questionnaire.

Social welfare and legal constraints associated with work among breast and prostate cancer survivors: experiences from Ireland.

Introduction: Around 40% of cancer survivors are of working age. We investigated employment outcomes among survivors in Ireland where sick leave and sick pay are at the employers' discretion and the law affords no protection against dismissal following extended absence.

Methods: A questionnaire was mailed to 1,373 survivors, identified from the National Cancer Registry, 6-24 months post-diagnosis.