Psychological Symptom Cluster Severity Profiles Are Associated With Higher Levels of Stress and Worse Quality of Life in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer.

Background: Although common, the severity of the psychological symptom cluster (PSC) (ie, co-occurrence of anxiety, depression, fatigue, sleep disturbance) varies among women with breast cancer. In addition, the impact of various types of stress and other risk factors on its severity are understudied, and the influence of the PSC on quality of life (QOL) outcomes remains poorly characterized.

Objective: To identify subgroups of postmenopausal women with breast cancer with distinct PSC severity profiles following surgery and evaluate whether these subgroups differed in terms of demographic and clinical characteristics, symptoms, social and posttraumatic stress, and QOL.

Associations between DNA methylation and cognitive function in early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer patients.

Background: Approximately one-third of breast cancer (BC) patients show poorer cognitive function (CF) before receiving adjuvant therapy compared with age-matched healthy controls. However, the biological mechanisms driving CF variation in the context of BC remain unclear. In this study, we aimed to identify genes and biological pathways associated with CF in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive (HR+) BC using DNA methylation (DNAm) data, a dynamic regulator of gene activity.

Effects of a 6-month aerobic exercise intervention on brain morphology in women with breast cancer receiving aromatase inhibitor therapy: a sub-study of the EPICC trial.

Objective: Physical exercise may increase brain volume and cortical thickness in late adulthood. However, few studies have examined the possibility for exercise to influence brain morphology in women treated for breast cancer. We conducted a nested sub-study within a randomized clinical trial to examine whether 6 months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise in postmenopausal women with early-stage breast cancer influences brain morphology.

Multivariate Bayesian Analyses in Nursing Research: An Introductory Guide.

In the era of precision health, nursing research has increasingly focused on the analysis of large, multidimensional data sets containing multiple correlated phenotypes (e.g., symptoms).

Nurses' returning to work after cancer: A focus group study.

Background: Nurses diagnosed with cancer face unique challenges when returning to work, yet there is limited understanding of their transition.

Purpose: To explore nurses' return-to-work experiences post cancer diagnosis and clarify related facilitators and challenges.

Methods: This focus group study employed a content analysis with constant comparative approach and member checking.

Assessing the Factor Structure and Measurement Invariance of the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index Between Postmenopausal Breast Cancer Survivors and Controls.

This study evaluates the Pittsburgh Sleep Quality Index (PSQI) in terms of factor structure and measurement invariance (MI). The sample included postmenopausal breast cancer (BC) survivors ( = 101) and matched healthy controls ( = 60). Exploratory factor analysis (EFA) and confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) were performed on PSQI's seven component scores.

Cancer-related cognitive impairment in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia treated with hypomethylating agents and venetoclax chemotherapy: a longitudinal descriptive study.

Purpose: To explore cancer-related cognitive impairment (CRCI) in older adults with acute myeloid leukemia (AML) receiving venetoclax in combination with hypomethylating agents or low-dose cytarabine chemotherapy.

Methods: This study is a longitudinal, qualitative descriptive study. Participants were recruited using purposive sampling.

Association Between Genes in the Nuclear Factor E2-Related Factor 2 Antioxidative Response Elements Pathway and Cancer-Related Fatigue in Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

Objectives: To explore genes in the nuclear factor E2-related factor 2 antioxidative response elements (Nrf2-ARE) signaling pathway using a multiomics approach for associations with variability of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in postmenopausal women with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer.

Sample & Setting: Postmenopausal women (N = 116) with early-stage hormone receptor-positive breast cancer were recruited from western Pennsylvania.

Methods & Variables: Candidate genes from the Nrf2-ARE pathway were investigated for associations with CRF occurrence and severity.

DNA Methylation of BDNF and RASA2 Genes Is Associated With Cognitive Function in Postmenopausal Women With Breast Cancer.

Objectives: To determine associations among DNA methylation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and RAS p21 protein activator 2 (RASA2) genes with processing speed and perceived cognitive function.

Sample & Setting: This was a cross-sectional, secondary analysis of baseline data from a randomized controlled trial, the Exercise Program in Cancer and Cognition Study.

Methods & Variables: Data included M values for DNA methylation of the BDNF and RASA2 genes; processing speed, objectively measured using the Grooved Pegboard and Digit Vigilance Test scores; and perceived cognitive function, self-reported using the Patient Assessment of Own Functioning Inventory.

Effects of aerobic exercise on neurocognitive function in postmenopausal women receiving endocrine therapy for breast cancer: The Exercise Program in Cancer and Cognition randomized controlled trial.

Objective: The Exercise Program in Cancer and Cognition (EPICC) Study was a randomized controlled trial (RCT) designed to determine whether six months of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise improves neurocognitive function in women with breast cancer (BC) receiving endocrine therapy (ET).

Methods: Postmenopausal women with hormone receptor+, early-stage BC, within two years post-primary therapy were randomized to the exercise intervention (six months, ≥150 minutes of moderate-intensity aerobic exercise/week) or usual care control condition. Outcomes were assessed at pre-randomization and after intervention completion.

Dignity in people with dementia: A concept analysis.

Dignity, an abstract and complex concept, is an essential part of humanity and an underlying guiding principle in healthcare. Previous literature indicates dignity is compromised in people with dementia (PwD), but those PwD maintain the capacity to live with dignity with appropriate external support. Alzheimer's disease and related dementias (ADRDs) lead to progressive functional decline and increased vulnerability and dependence, leading to heightened risks of PwD receiving inappropriate or insufficient care that diminishes dignity.

Preoperative cognitive function as a risk factor of postoperative delirium in cancer surgeries: A systematic review and meta-analysis.

Postoperative delirium (POD) after cancer surgeries can be a result of chemo brain, anesthesia, surgery duration, and preoperative cognitive impairment. Although older age and preoperative cognitive dysfunction were reported to increase the risk of POD in noncardiac surgery, the role of preoperative cognitive function and age in the development of POD after all types of cancer surgeries is not clear. This study aimed to determine the relationship between preoperative cognitive function and likelihood of POD after cancer surgeries.

Health-related quality of life over chemotherapy course among individuals with early-stage breast cancer: the association of social determinants of health and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage.

Purpose: This study aimed to examine relationships between health-related quality of life (HRQOL), social determinants of health, and neighborhood socioeconomic disadvantage in individuals with early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) during chemotherapy.

Methods: This is a longitudinal study that recruited Black and White women with ESBC receiving chemotherapy. Participants completed questionnaires recording their sociodemographic information at baseline and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-General (FACT-G) to report their HRQOL before each chemotherapy cycle.

Coverage for evidence-based cancer survivorship care services.

Purpose: The American Society of Clinical Oncology Cancer Survivorship Committee established a task force to determine which survivorship care services were being denied by public and private payers for coverage and reimbursement.

Methods: A quantitative survey instrument was developed to determine the clinical practice-reported rates of coverage denials for evidence-based cancer survivorship care services. Additionally, qualitative interviews were conducted to understand whether coverage denials were based on payer policies, cost-sharing, or prior authorization.

The Effect of Race and Area Deprivation on Symptom Profiles over the Course of Early-Stage Breast Cancer.

Purpose: This study compared common symptoms (fatigue, pain), overall physical functioning and changes over time between Black and White women receiving early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) chemotherapy.

Methods: A longitudinal, repeated measures comparative design was employed. Time points of symptom measurement (PROMIS domains) at baseline, mid and end point were adjusted as per patient chemotherapy schedule.

Variability of DNA Repair and Oxidative Stress Genes Associated with Worst Pain in Breast Cancer Survivors on Aromatase Inhibitors.

Pain is a problem affecting women with breast cancer (HR+BrCa) receiving aromatase inhibitor (AI) therapy. We investigated the relationship between single-nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in DNA repair and oxidative stress genes and perceived worst pain after 6 months of AI therapy. We explored 39 SNPs in genes involved in DNA repair (, , , and ) and oxidative stress (, , , , and ) in women with HR+BrCa receiving adjuvant therapy (AI ± chemotherapy; = 138).

Anaesthesia-related cognitive dysfunction following cardiothoracic surgery in late middle-age and younger adults: A scoping review.

Background: The incidence of postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) is notably high after cardiac surgery, ranging from 25% to 30%, and is associated with a lower quality of life, increased patient dependency, and heightened mortality. Anaesthesia during cardiothoracic surgery significantly contributes to the risk of POCD in older adults by adversely affecting the brain, including reductions in blood flow and oxygen levels.

Aim: This review aimed to evaluate factors associated with anaesthesia-related postoperative cognitive dysfunction (POCD) among adults younger than 65 years who underwent cardiothoracic surgeries.

Economic Hardship and Associated Factors of Women With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Prior to Chemotherapy Initiation.

Introduction: Economic hardship (EH) can negatively influence cancer outcomes. Little is known about the factors that are associated with higher levels of EH among patients with breast cancer (BC). This paper describes EH in women with early-stage BC prior to or at their first chemotherapy treatment (baseline) and explores whether there are differences by race, area deprivation, stress, symptom distress, and social support.

Cardiorespiratory fitness is associated with hippocampal resting state connectivity in women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Background: Breast cancer and its treatment are associated with aberrant patterns of resting state functional connectivity (rsFC) between the hippocampus and several areas of the brain, which may account for poorer cognitive outcomes in patients. Higher cardiorespiratory fitness (CRF) has been associated with enhanced rsFC and cognitive performance; however, these associations have not been well studied in breast cancer. We examined the relationship between CRF, rsFC of the hippocampus, and cognitive performance among women newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Do Individuals Aged 50 or Older View Cognitive Conditions Differently Than Physical Conditions? Evidence From a Pooled Analysis of Illness Perceptions in Type 2 Diabetes and Mild Cognitive Impairment.

Background And Objectives: Type 2 diabetes (T2DM) and mild cognitive impairment (MCI) are common late-life physical and cognitive health conditions. Illness perceptions, an individual's personal beliefs about the conditions, should be explored in the context of disease characteristics (physical or cognitive). This secondary analysis explored illness perceptions with a priori hypotheses about control (perceived controllability) and coherence (perceived understanding) dimensions among persons with T2DM and MCI, treating each as an exemplar of late-life physical and cognitive health conditions.

Postdischarge Nausea and Vomiting and Co-occurring Symptoms in Women Following Breast Cancer Surgery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to investigate the influence of potential co-occurring symptoms, including fatigue, sleep disturbance, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and pain, on the incidence of postdischarge nausea (PDN) measured two days following discharge to home after surgery for breast cancer.

Design: This study used a prospective, cross-sectional, observational design.

Methods: The sample was 334 women aged 27 to 88 years of age.

Trajectories of neuropsychological symptom burden in postmenopausal women prescribed anastrozole for early-stage breast cancer.

Purpose: Aromatase inhibitors (AIs) prolong survival for postmenopausal women with hormone receptor-positive breast cancer (HR + BC) but also burden patients with symptoms, a major reason for suboptimal AI adherence. This study characterizes inter-relationships among symptom measures; describes neuropsychological symptom burden trajectories; and identifies trajectory group membership predictors for postmenopausal women prescribed anastrozole for HR + BC.

Methods: This study utilized prospectively collected data from a cohort study.

Cognitive Function in Adults With Acute Myeloid Leukemia Treated With Chemotherapy: A Systematic Review.

Background: Chemotherapy is essential for treating acute myeloid leukemia (AML). Previous studies concluded that survivors of cancer who were treated with chemotherapy experience cognitive impairment. Therefore, it is important to understand cognitive function in survivors of AML.

Attention to diet, exercise, and weight in oncology care: Results of an American Society of Clinical Oncology national patient survey.

Background: The American Society of Clinical Oncology (ASCO) surveyed cancer patients to assess practice patterns related to weight, diet, and exercise as a part of cancer care.

Methods: An online survey was distributed between March and June 2020 through ASCO channels and patient advocacy organizations. Direct email communication was sent to more than 25,000 contacts, and information about the survey was posted on Cancer.