Impact of a brochure and empathetic physician communication on patients' perception of breast biopsies.

Purpose: This study investigated the effect of an intervention designed to reduce patients' emotional distress associated with breast biopsy.

Methods: 125 breast biopsy patients receiving standard of care (control group, CG) were compared to 125 patients (intervention group, IG) who received a brochure with information prior to the biopsy and were biopsied by physicians trained in empathic communication. Anxiety was assessed by the State-Anxiety Inventory (STAI-S) at four time points (pre- and post-procedural, pre- and post-histology).

Fertility preservation in male cancer patients: A mixed methods assessment of experiences and needs.

Introduction: As fertility may be impaired due to gonadotoxic cancer treatment, fertility preservation should be offered to young cancer patients. Despite affirmative guidelines, sperm cryopreservation rates are still unsatisfying.

Objective: To examine how male cancer patients experience the current practice of counseling regarding fertility preservation and the needs they have for additional online support tools.

Long-term effectiveness of an online decision aid for female cancer patients regarding fertility preservation: Knowledge, attitude, and decisional regret.

Introduction: The decision, whether to undergo fertility preservation or not is highly demanding for cancer patients. Decision aids may act as an additional source of support. So far, only a limited number of decision aids regarding fertility preservation for female cancer patients exist and have been evaluated systematically.

Levels of -3 and -6 Fatty Acids in Maternal Erythrocytes during Pregnancy and in Human Milk and Its Association with Perinatal Mental Health.

Omega-3 long-chain polyunsaturated fatty acid (-3 FA) status may be associated with mood disorders. Here, we evaluated the potential association between antenatal depression/anxiety and -3/-6 FA in (a) maternal erythrocytes and (b) human milk. In addition, we explored associations between -3/-6 FA in erythrocytes and in human milk and postpartum depression, while controlling for antenatal depression.

Adapting a peer-led self-management program for breast cancer survivors in Switzerland using a co-creative approach.

Objective: The peer-led Cancer Thriving and Surviving Program (CTS) has demonstrated improved health outcomes for cancer survivors. We describe a co-creative process for adapting the CTS for breast cancer survivors in Switzerland and integrating the program into the clinical pathway of Swiss breast centers.

Methods: A co-creative approach was employed.

Randomized controlled trial on the effect of an online decision aid for young female cancer patients regarding fertility preservation.

Study Question: Does the use of an online decision aid (DA) about fertility preservation (FP), in addition to standard counselling by a specialist in reproductive medicine, reduce decisional conflict compared to standard counselling alone?

Summary Answer: Female cancer patients who could make use of the online DA had a significantly lower short-term decisional conflict score.

What Is Known Already: Nowadays, female cancer patients have several options for preserving fertility, but having to decide whether to opt for FP within a short time frame after cancer diagnosis and before the start of treatment is challenging. According to previous studies focussing mainly on breast cancer patients, decisional conflict among these women is high, and they have expressed the need for additional support.

Web-based counseling for families with parental cancer: Baseline findings and lessons learned.

This is the first study in Switzerland to report on psychological adjustment in children of a parent with cancer using a web-based intervention during cancer therapy. Twenty-two families participated in this randomized controlled web-based intervention program. Quality of life and emotional-behavioral well-being of children were examined using child self-reports, and parent proxy-reports.

Challenges and Opportunities for Cancer Predisposition Cascade Screening for Hereditary Breast and Ovarian Cancer and Lynch Syndrome in Switzerland: Findings from an International Workshop.

Background: An international workshop on cancer predisposition cascade genetic screening for hereditary breast and ovarian cancer (HBOC) and Lynch syndrome (LS) took place in Switzerland, with leading researchers and clinicians in cascade screening and hereditary cancer from different disciplines. The purpose of the workshop was to enhance the implementation of cascade genetic screening in Switzerland. Participants discussed the challenges and opportunities associated with cascade screening for HBOC and LS in Switzerland (CASCADE study); family implications and the need for family-based interventions; the need to evaluate the cost-effectiveness of cascade genetic screening; and interprofessional collaboration needed to lead this initiative.

Web-Based Stress Management for Newly Diagnosed Patients With Cancer (STREAM): A Randomized, Wait-List Controlled Intervention Study.

Purpose Being diagnosed with cancer causes major psychological distress; however, a majority of patients lack psychological support during this critical period. Internet interventions help patients overcome many barriers to seeking face-to-face support and may thus close this gap. We assessed feasibility and efficacy of Web-based stress management (STREAM [Stress-Aktiv-Mindern]) for newly diagnosed patients with cancer.

Efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral stress management training in women with idiopathic preterm labor: A randomized controlled intervention study.

Objective: This randomized controlled trial aimed at evaluating the efficacy of an internet-based cognitive behavioral stress management program (IB-CBSM) for pregnant women with preterm labor (PTL) on birth outcome and stress-related psychological and biological parameters.

Methods: 93 pregnant women with PTL (gestational age 18-32) were assigned to either the IB-CBSM (n=50) or a control group (CG) based on distraction (n=43). Participants in both groups worked through six weekly modules.

Addressing decisional conflict about fertility preservation: helping young female cancer survivors' family planning decisions.

Background: Health professionals are challenged by a growing number of young long-term cancer survivors with their specific needs with regard to family planning. This study aimed at assessing decisional conflict (DC) in young female cancer patients regarding fertility preservation, identifying demographic, fertility and fertility preservation related factors, which may affect DC, and assessing the helpfulness of various decision-supports.

Methods: A retrospective, cross-sectional, web-based survey via an online questionnaire available in three languages with specific items concerning cancer, fertility, fertility preservation and the validated Decisional Conflict Scale targeted at current or former female cancer patients aged 18-45 years, with cancer types or treatment potentially affecting reproductive function.

Knowledge about and attitude towards fertility preservation in young female cancer patients: a cross-sectional online survey.

Recent advances in cancer therapy have resulted in an increased number of long-term cancer survivors. However, because of their treatment, women might be confronted with impaired fertility. The options of fertility preservation (FP) techniques are increasing.

Cancer Predisposition Cascade Screening for Hereditary Breast/Ovarian Cancer and Lynch Syndromes in Switzerland: Study Protocol.

Background: Breast, colorectal, ovarian, and endometrial cancers constitute approximately 30% of newly diagnosed cancer cases in Switzerland, affecting more than 12,000 individuals annually. Hundreds of these patients are likely to carry germline pathogenic variants associated with hereditary breast ovarian cancer (HBOC) or Lynch syndrome (LS). Genetic services (counseling and testing) for hereditary susceptibility to cancer can prevent many cancer diagnoses and deaths through early identification and risk management.

Fertility Preservation in Young Female Cancer Patients: Development and Pilot Testing of an Online Decision Aid.

Purpose: Impairment of fertility is a common sequela of successful cancer treatment. Therefore, fertility preservation (FP) should be discussed with all young cancer patients. Decisions about FP are challenging.

Web-based stress management for newly diagnosed cancer patients (STREAM-1): a randomized, wait-list controlled intervention study.

Background: Being diagnosed with cancer causes major psychological distress, yet the majority of newly diagnosed cancer patients lack psychological support. Internet interventions overcome many barriers for seeking face-to-face support and allow for independence in time and place. We assess efficacy and feasibility of the first web-based stress management intervention (STREAM: STREss-Aktiv-Mindern) for newly diagnosed, German-speaking cancer patients.

Decision-making about fertility preservation-qualitative data on young cancer patients' attitudes and needs.

The aim of the study was to get deeper insight into the significance of fertility in cancer patients, their attitude towards fertility preservation (FP), decisional conflicts, and patient's needs in the decision-making process. Focus groups with 12 female cancer survivors were held and revealed that the significance of fertility was high and attitude towards FP positive. Religious and ethical reservations were not negligible.

[Between threat and hope - fertility preservation in young cancer patients].

Recent advances in cancer therapy have resulted in an increased number of long-term cancer survivors. Infertility, however, might be the consequence of an efficient cancer treatment. For young patients affected by cancer accesses to the partly established and partly still experimental options to preserve fertility are crucial.

Relaxation during pregnancy: what are the benefits for mother, fetus, and the newborn? A systematic review of the literature.

Previous studies have reported associations between maternal stress during pregnancy and obstetric outcomes as well as fetal development and neonatal adaptation. These findings highlight the importance of identifying pregnant women who experience severe stress and the need for interventions that commence early in pregnancy. The aim of this study was to review studies that investigated the effects of relaxation techniques during pregnancy, including maternal, fetal, and neonatal outcomes.

Maternal request: a reason for rising rates of cesarean section?

Objective: The rising rate of cesarean sections (CS), especially those on maternal request, is an important obstetric care issue. The aim of this two-point cross-sectional study was to evaluate the prevalence of CS and their indications.

Methods: We performed a retrospective chart review of the indications of all CS performed at a tertiary care clinic in Switzerland in 2002 and 2008.

Antenatal psychobiological predictors of psychological response to childbirth.

Background: Several psychological and obstetric predictors of a negative childbirth experience and traumatic response to delivery have been identified. However, the influence of antepartum physiological stress parameters has not been elucidated.

Objective: The study includes an exploratory analysis of the associations of fear of delivery, antenatal basal and reactive activity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal axis, and obstetric outcomes, with childbirth experience and posttraumatic avoidance in the postpartum period.

Identification of antenatal depression in obstetric care.

Purpose: Detection rates of depression in obstetric care are generally low, and many women remain undiagnosed and do not receive adequate support. In many obstetric settings, screening tools for depression are not applied routinely and there is a great need to sensitize health care professionals for the patient at risk for enhanced levels of depression. The present study aimed at identifying commonly assessed patient characteristics that are associated with antenatal depression.

Response to induced relaxation during pregnancy: comparison of women with high versus low levels of anxiety.

Relaxation exercises have become a standard intervention for individuals with anxiety disorders but little is known about their potential for anxiety relief during pregnancy. The purpose of this study was to examine psychoendocrine (i) baseline differences and (ii) changes after a standardized relaxation period in pregnant women with high versus low levels of anxiety. Thirty-nine third-trimester high and low anxious pregnant women performed active or passive relaxation while levels of anxiety, hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis and sympathetic-adrenal-medullary (SAM) system activity were assessed before and after the relaxation period.

Fetal response to abbreviated relaxation techniques. A randomized controlled study.

Background: stress during pregnancy can have adverse effects on the course of pregnancy and on fetal development. There are few studies investigating the outcome of stress reduction interventions on maternal well-being and obstetric outcome.

Aims: this study aims (1) to obtain fetal behavioral states (quiet/active sleep, quiet/active wakefulness), (2) to investigate the effects of maternal relaxation on fetal behavior as well as on uterine activity, and (3) to investigate maternal physiological and endocrine parameters as potential underlying mechanisms for maternal-fetal relaxation-transferral.

Effects of relaxation on psychobiological wellbeing during pregnancy: a randomized controlled trial.

Prenatal maternal stress is associated with adverse birth outcomes and may be reduced by relaxation exercises. The aim of the present study was to compare the immediate effects of two active and one passive 10-min relaxation technique on perceived and physiological indicators of relaxation. 39 healthy pregnant women recruited at the outpatient department of the University Women's Hospital Basel participated in a randomized controlled trial with an experimental repeated measure design.