Patient and staff perspectives on the concept of frailty and its role in assessment and decision making in treatment for older people with lung cancer.

Purpose: Frailty influences outcomes in patients with cancer and should be considered when making decisions about treatment but concerns have been raised about possible negative consequences of doing this. Many patients with lung cancer have attributes of frailty and this study explores patient and staff perspectives on its role in decision making in older people with lung cancer.

Methods: The study adopted a two-phase qualitative approach using semi-structured telephone interviews and an in-person focus group.

Staff experiences of the use of virtual consultations in non-surgical oncology systemic anticancer therapy services.

Purpose: In response to the COVID-19 pandemic, virtual consultations were introduced rapidly across cancer services. This created a particular set of challenges for systemic anticancer therapy services, where patients have frequent, regular appointments to support decision-making regarding treatment. This study explores the experiences of staff who provide these consultations to understand the implications for patients, staff, and services.

Living with mesothelioma: A qualitative study of the experiences of male military veterans in the UK.

Purpose: The UK has the highest incidence of mesothelioma in the world. Evidence in the United States suggests that mesothelioma may disproportionately affect military veterans. However, there has been no investigation of the experience of UK veterans living with mesothelioma.

Patient experiences of participation in a radical thoracic surgical trial: findings from the Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery Trial 2 (MARS 2).

Background: The Mesothelioma and Radical Surgery Trial (MARS 2) aims to evaluate a surgical procedure by comparing chemotherapy and surgery against chemotherapy alone. The pilot study for MARS 2 evaluated the viability of recruitment. Challenges have been reported in conducting clinical research into thoracic surgical treatments and evidence is required to improve our understanding of patient experiences of trial procedures, trial treatments and the factors that influence participation.

Communication of a mesothelioma diagnosis: developing recommendations to improve the patient experience.

Background: Malignant pleural mesothelioma (MPM) is an aggressive cancer linked to asbestos exposure and inhalation. As with other cancers, receiving a diagnosis of MPM is challenging and distressing. Particular challenges are associated with communicating a diagnosis of MPM, including explaining the disease and its prognosis, treatment options and legal and financial implications.

The role of temperature in the detection and diagnosis of neutropenic sepsis in adult solid tumour cancer patients receiving chemotherapy.

Purpose: The primary aim of this study was to examine the value of temperature as a diagnostic and prognostic indicator of infection and sepsis in neutropenic patients. A secondary aim was to gain insight into the presenting symptoms reported by these patients at home or on their initial admission assessment.

Methods: A cohort study was carried out using a case note review of 220 emergency admissions to a regional cancer centre.

Experiences of Women With Gestational Trophoblastic Neoplasia Treated With High-Dose Chemotherapy and Stem Cell Transplantation: A Qualitative Study.

Purpose/objectives: To explore the experiences of women with gestational trophoblastic neoplasia during and after treatment to understand their perspectives, priorities, and concerns.
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Research Approach: A descriptive, exploratory study using in-depth semistructured interviews.

Patient's experiences of being discharged home from hospital following a diagnosis of malignant spinal cord compression.

Purpose: The purpose of this study is to explore experiences in the days and weeks following discharge home following diagnosis and treatment for metastatic spinal cord compression (MSCC).

Methods: Eleven participants took part in audio-recorded semi-structured interviews about their experiences at 1 and 3-4 weeks post-discharge home following a diagnosis of MSCC. Transcripts were analysed using a framework approach.

The difficulties experienced by nurses and healthcare staff involved in the process of breaking bad news.

Aims: The aim of this study was to explore the difficulties experienced by nurses and healthcare professionals when engaging in the process of breaking bad news.

Background: The challenges faced by staff when breaking bad news have previously been researched in relation to particular settings or participants. This study involved staff from diverse settings and roles to develop broader insights into the range of difficulties experienced in clinical practice.

Neutropenic sepsis: prevention, identification and treatment.

Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia may result in significant physical, social and emotional consequences for patients receiving anticancer therapy. Chemotherapy-induced neutropenia also leads to delays in treatment and reductions in dose intensity. In some cases neutropenia may be prevented by the use of granulocyte-colony stimulating factor, but it remains one of the most common side effects of chemotherapy.

Self-reported competence in long term care provision for adult cancer survivors: A cross sectional survey of nursing and allied health care professionals.

Background: Cancer survival is increasing as patients live longer with a cancer diagnosis. This success has implications for health service provision in that increasing numbers of adults who have received cancer therapy are requiring monitoring and long-term health care by a wide range of practitioners. Given these recent trends there is a need to explore staff perceptions and confidence in managing the consequences of cancer diagnosis and treatment in cancer survivors to enhance an integrated cancer service delivery.

Breaking bad news: issues relating to nursing practice.

The breaking of bad news was traditionally regarded to be the time when a doctor and nurse sat down with a patient and family members to provide information about, for example, a life-limiting diagnosis or a poor prognosis. However, breaking bad news is now generally accepted as a process, not a one-off event, and is considered to refer to any bad, sad or difficult information that alters patients' perceptions of their present and future. Nurses have an important role in the process of providing information and helping patients prepare for, receive, understand and cope with the bad news they have been given.

Improving care of patients with metastatic spinal cord compression.

Metastatic spinal cord compression is a feature of advanced cancer and the incidence is likely to increase alongside improved survival rates. Patients with spinal cord compression have complex physical, psychological and social care needs. This article describes a multidisciplinary project aimed at improving the care provided to newly diagnosed patients who were admitted to a regional cancer centre for radiotherapy.

A descriptive exploration of the experiences of patients with significant functional impairment following a recent diagnosis of metastatic spinal cord compression.

Aim: To explore the experiences, concerns and priorities of patients newly diagnosed with advanced malignant spinal cord compression and had significant problems with mobility at presentation.

Background: The consequences of malignant spinal cord compression can be devastating. Patients and their families are under pressure to adapt quickly to the significant functional impairment that occurs while coping with a diagnosis of advanced cancer.

Emerging nursing roles for late effects care for children and young adults with cancer.

Introduction: Annually around 3500 children and young adults are diagnosed with cancer in the UK. While five year childhood cancer survival rates are high, many will experience long-term health problems as a result of their illness and its treatment. Providing late effects services is vital for this group of patients.

Breaking bad news in inpatient clinical settings: role of the nurse.

Aim: This paper is a report of an exploration of the role of the nurse in the process of breaking bad news in the inpatient clinical setting and the provision of education and support for nurses carrying out this role.

Background: The term 'breaking bad news' is mostly associated with the moment when negative medical information is shared with a patient or relative. However, it can also be seen as a process of interactions that take place before, during and after bad news is broken.

Evaluating the care of patients with malignant spinal cord compression at a regional cancer centre.

The consequences of malignant spinal cord compression (MSCC) can be devastating. If not detected early, MSCC can result in paralysis and significant bowel and bladder dysfunction that is not improved by treatment. Patients have to cope with sudden and unexpected disability alongside a diagnosis of advanced cancer.

Patients' experiences of intracavity brachytherapy treatment for gynaecological cancer.

Intracavity brachytherapy for gynaecological cancer presents patients with a wide range of physical and psychological challenges. Previous research into women's experiences of this treatment has been limited. This study explores the experiences of patients before, during and after treatment.