Publications by authors named "Ashleigh R Sharman"

Objective: Understanding survivorship issues among people with head and neck cancer (HNC) is important as survival rates increase. Most research has focused on urban patients, leaving a gap in understanding the challenges faced by those in rural areas. This study aims to summarise the literature on survivorship needs for people with HNC in rural areas.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Lung cancer screening (LCS) trials, targeting people with smoking history, have demonstrated reduced mortality. How to optimally embed evidence-based smoking cessation support in LCS, including in Australia, needs to be better understood. We sought experts' perspectives to identify potential barriers and effective implementation strategies.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: Rural people with head and neck cancers (HNC) are likely to experience poorer health outcomes due to limited access to health services, so many benefit from models of care that account for rurality. The aim of this review was to synthesise literature on models of care in this population.

Methods: Studies were identified using seven databases: PubMed, PsycINFO, Scopus, Embase, CINAHL, Medline, and Web of Science.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Understanding the barriers and facilitators for prophylactic swallowing and trismus exercises for patients undergoing radiation to the head and neck may help exercise adherence. The analysis reviews all published reports of exercise adherence with a critical appraisal following PRISMA guidelines. A total of 137 potential papers were identified; 20 studies met the inclusion criteria.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Head and neck cancer treatment often leads to trismus, a condition characterized by limited mouth opening. Exercise-based therapy is the most common intervention but there are no clear guidelines as to the optimal exercise regimen. Restorabiteā„¢ is a portable and force-regulated trismus device designed to enhance exercise adherence.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Low dose computed tomography (LDCT) screening, targeted at those at high-risk, has been shown to significantly reduce lung cancer mortality and detect cancers at an early stage. Practical, attitudinal and demographic factors can inhibit screening participation in high-risk populations. This study aimed to explore stakeholders' views about barriers and enablers (determinants) to participation in lung cancer screening (LCS) in Australia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Objectives: Lung cancer screening (LCS) programs are being designed and implemented globally. Early data suggests that the psychosocial impacts of LCS are influenced by program factors, but evidence synthesis is needed. This systematic review aimed to elucidate the impact of service-level factors on psychosocial outcomes to inform optimal LCS program design and future implementation.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Rationale: Head and neck surgery services are increasingly being centralised in Australia. Outreach models can overcome burdens of travel that patients in regional and rural areas experience when attending routine appointments, by providing services closer to home.

Aim: To explore patient-reported experiences and satisfaction with regional outreach services for head and neck surgery in Australia.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Lung cancer is the number one cause of cancer death worldwide. Although international trials demonstrate that targeted screening using low dose computed tomography (LDCT) significantly reduces lung cancer mortality, implementation of screening in the high-risk population presents complex health system challenges that need to be thoroughly understood to support policy change.

Aim: To elicit health care providers' and policymakers' views about the acceptability and feasibility of lung cancer screening (LCS) and barriers and enablers to implementation in the Australian setting.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

International lung cancer screening (LCS) trials, using low-dose computed tomography, have demonstrated clinical effectiveness in reducing mortality from lung cancer. This systematic review aims to synthesise the key messages and strategies that could be successful in increasing awareness and knowledge of LCS, and ultimately increase uptake of screening. Studies were identified via relevant database searches up to January 2022.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The human papillomavirus (HPV) is well recognised as a factor in developing oropharyngeal cancer (OPC). A booklet for HPV-OPC patients aimed to deliver evidence-based messages in everyday language, in a way to minimise negative psychological impacts on patients. Our study explored the suitability of the booklet for use.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Introduction: Participation in lung cancer screening (LCS) trials and real-world programs is low, with many people at high-risk for lung cancer opting out of baseline screening after registering interest. We aimed to identify the potential drivers of participation in LCS in the Australian setting, to inform future implementation.

Methods: Semi-structured telephone interviews were conducted with individuals at high-risk of lung cancer who were eligible for screening and who had either participated ('screeners') or declined to participate ('decliners') in the International Lung Screening Trial from two Australian sites.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Purpose: The tumor immune microenvironment impacts the biological behavior of the tumor, but its effect on clinical outcomes in head and neck cutaneous squamous cell carcinomas (HNcSCC) is largely unknown.

Experimental Design: We compared the immune milieu of high-risk HNcSCC that never progressed to metastasis with those that metastasized using multiparameter imaging mass cytometry. The cohort included both immunosuppressed patients (IS) and patients with an absence of clinical immune-suppression (ACIS).

View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Background: Lung cancer is the leading cause of cancer death worldwide. The US Preventive Services Task Force (USPSTF) updated recommendations for lung cancer screening in 2021, adjusting the age of screening to 50 years (from 55 years) and reducing the number of pack-years used to estimate total firsthand cigarette smoke exposure to 20 (from 30). With many individuals using the internet to find health care information, it is important to understand what information is available for individuals contemplating lung cancer screening.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF
Article Synopsis
  • Polygenic risk scores (PRS) are increasingly used in clinical settings to assess cancer risk, but there's limited understanding of health professionals' familiarity and attitudes towards PRS.
  • A survey conducted among health professionals involved in cancer risk assessment revealed that only a small percentage had experience with ordering or discussing PRS with patients, with many feeling unprepared to interpret results.
  • The survey results indicate a significant expectation for polygenic testing to impact future patient care, particularly involving general practitioners with support from genetic professionals, highlighting a need for better educational resources.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF

Ultraviolet radiation exposure is the leading cause of skin cancer, and childhood and adolescence is a particularly susceptible life period for exposure. This systematic review assessed whether interventions in elementary and secondary school settings reduced sun exposure, sunburns, and development of melanocytic nevi, and improved sun-safe knowledge, attitudes and sun protection behaviors in childhood and adolescence. A systematic search up to June 2020 of MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, Cochrane and ProQuest databases was undertaken, for studies conducted among students in an elementary or secondary school setting that compared an intervention group with a pre-intervention or separate control group.

View Article and Find Full Text PDF