Advanced cancer patients in a randomized clinical trial of night-simulating eyeglasses observed to have a normal 24-h circadian rhythm during chemotherapy.

Objectives: Cancer patients routinely exhibit dysfunctional circadian organization. Indeed, a dysfunctional circadian organization is a hallmark of advanced cancer. A cohort of advanced cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy was recruited to investigate whether manipulating exposure to blue light could restore or ameliorate their circadian organization.

Fatigue as a Driver of Overall Quality of Life in Cancer Patients.

Background: This manuscript describes an approach for analyzing large amounts of disparate clinical data to elucidate the most impactful factor(s) that relate to a meaningful clinical outcome, in this case, the quality of life of cancer patients. The relationships between clinical and quality of life variables were evaluated using the EORTC QLQ-C30 global health domain--a validated surrogate variable for overall cancer patient well-being.

Methods: A cross-sectional study design was used to evaluate the determinants of global health in cancer patients who initiated treatment at two regional medical centers between January 2001 and December 2009.

Can quality of life assessments differentiate heterogeneous cancer patients?

Purpose: This research conducted a face validation study of patient responses to the application of an HRQOL assessment research tool in a comprehensive community cancer program setting across a heterogeneous cohort of cancer patients throughout the natural history of diagnosed malignant disease, many of whom would not be considered candidates for clinical research trial participation.

Methods: Cancer registries at two regional cancer treatment centers identified 11072 cancer patients over a period of nine years. The EORTC QLQ-C30 was administered to patients at the time of their initial clinical presentation to these centers.

Beliefs and perceptions of women with newly diagnosed breast cancer who refused conventional treatment in favor of alternative therapies.

Purpose: Although breast cancer is a highly treatable disease, some women reject conventional treatment opting for unproven "alternative therapy" that may contribute to poor health outcomes. This study sought to understand why some women make this decision and to identify messages that might lead to greater acceptance of evidence-based treatment.

Patients And Methods: This study explored treatment decision making through in-depth interviews with 60 breast cancer patients identified by their treating oncologists.

Prevalence of vitamin D insufficiency among breast cancer survivors.

Background: Recent research has linked inadequate vitamin D levels with risk of breast cancer, but there are less data regarding the actual concentrations of vitamin D in women who have survived breast cancer. The objective of this study was to determine if vitamin D insufficiency is a prevalent problem for female breast cancer survivors who have completed treatment for breast cancer.

Methods: Ninety-nine breast cancer survivors and a control population of 54 women with no history of breast cancer participated in this study.