Documenting patients' and providers' preferences when proposing a randomized controlled trial: a qualitative exploration.

Background: With advances in cancer diagnosis and treatment, women with early-stage breast cancer (ESBC) are living longer, increasing the number of patients receiving post-treatment follow-up care. Best-practice survivorship models recommend transitioning ESBC patients from oncology-provider (OP) care to community-based care. While developing materials for a future randomized controlled trial (RCT) to test the feasibility of a nurse-led Telephone Survivorship Clinic (TSC) for a smooth transition of ESBC survivors to follow-up care, we explored patients' and OPs' reactions to several of our proposed methods.

Correction to: Machine Learning for Identifying Emotional Expression in Text: Improving the Accuracy of Established Methods.

[This corrects the article PMC7467127.].

Narrative-Informed, Emotion-Focused Psychotherapy in Synchronous, Online Chat Groups for Adolescents and Young Adults with Cancer: A Proof-of-Concept Study.

Few, scalable, evidence-based psychosocial interventions exist for adolescent and young adult cancer survivors (AYAs, 18-39 years old). Using an existing, facilitated, online synchronous chat group-plus-education model (OSG+E), we replaced their educational workbook with an AYA-created film to stimulate an age-specific, emotion-focused group discussion (OSG+V). This randomized proof-of-concept trial compared the two models' content suitability, group processes, and feasibility over 9 months in 34 male and female AYAs with a range of cancers.

Falling through the cracks. A thematic evaluation of unmet needs of adult survivors of childhood cancers.

Objective: The population of adult survivors of childhood cancers (ASCCs) is growing, resulting in unique long-term challenges. This study explored experiences of perceived unmet ASCC survivorship needs.

Methods: We invited ASCCs to complete surveys sent through the cancer registry.

Depressive symptoms predict head and neck cancer survival: Examining plausible behavioral and biological pathways.

Background: Head and neck cancers are associated with high rates of depression, which may increase the risk for poorer immediate and long-term outcomes. Here it was hypothesized that greater depressive symptoms would predict earlier mortality, and behavioral (treatment interruption) and biological (treatment response) mediators were examined.

Methods: Patients (n = 134) reported depressive symptomatology at treatment planning.

Unmet Needs of Adult Survivors of Childhood Cancers: Associations with Developmental Stage at Diagnosis, Cognitive Impairment, and Time from Diagnosis.

Purpose: Adult survivors of childhood cancers (ASCCs) are a unique and growing population. Because these individuals were diagnosed in childhood, their developmental stage at diagnosis may influence medical sequelae and perception of their cancer diagnosis and potentially result in long-term complications and challenges. Our aim was to determine how developmental stage, time since diagnosis, and cognitive impairment relate to Canadian ASCC distress and unmet needs.

Does age matter? Comparing post-treatment psychosocial outcomes in young adult and older adult cancer survivors with their cancer-free peers.

Objective: Adolescents and young adult cancer survivors (AYA) are a unique subpopulation with high levels of distress and unmet need. To date, studies have not disentangled distress due to developmental life stage from distress due to cancer survivorship. This population-based study allowed a direct comparison between AYA cancer survivors, older adult (OA) cancer survivors, and their cancer-free peers.

Protocol for the MATCH study (Mindfulness and Tai Chi for cancer health): A preference-based multi-site randomized comparative effectiveness trial (CET) of Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) vs. Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ) for cancer survivors.

Purpose: A growing number of cancer survivors suffer high levels of distress, depression and stress, as well as sleep disturbance, pain and fatigue. Two different mind-body interventions helpful for treating these problems are Mindfulness-Based Cancer Recovery (MBCR) and Tai Chi/Qigong (TCQ). However, while both interventions show efficacy compared to usual care, they have never been evaluated in the same study or directly compared.

Online support groups for young women with breast cancer: a proof-of-concept study.

Objective: This initial study examined a therapist-led, synchronous, online support group (OSG) with psycho-education (OSG + E) compared to self-help psycho-education (E). The study aims were to examine proof of concept-feasibility, acceptability, and usefulness-and to hone methods for a formal RCT.

Methods: One hundred five young breast cancer survivors (<50 years) post-treatment were randomized either to OSG + E or E.

Machine Learning for Identifying Emotional Expression in Text: Improving the Accuracy of Established Methods.

Expression of emotion has been linked to numerous critical and beneficial aspects of human functioning. Accurately capturing emotional expression in text grows in relevance as people continue to spend more time in an online environment. The Linguistic Inquiry and Word Count (LIWC) is a commonly used program for the identification of many constructs, including emotional expression.

Illustrating the Multi-Faceted Dimensions of Group Therapy and Support for Cancer Patients.

In cancer support groups, choice of therapy model, leadership style, and format can impact patients' experiences and outcomes. Methodologies that illustrate the complexity of patients' group experiences might aid in choosing group style, or testing therapeutic mechanisms. We used this naturalistic study as a beginning step to explore methods for comparing cancer group contexts by first modifying a group-experience survey to be cancer-specific (Group Experience Questionnaire (GEQ)).

Peer-counseling for women newly diagnosed with breast cancer: A randomized community/research collaboration trial.

Background: We conducted a randomized controlled trial of peer-counseling for newly diagnosed breast cancer (BC) patients as a community/research collaboration testing an intervention developed jointly by a community-based-organization serving women with cancer and university researchers.

Methods: We recruited 104 women newly diagnosed with BC at any disease stage. Prior to randomization, all received a one-time visit with an oncology nurse who offered information and resources.

Patient-reported outcomes, body composition, and nutrition status in patients with head and neck cancer: Results from an exploratory randomized controlled exercise trial.

Background: Patients with head and neck cancer experience loss of weight and muscle mass, decreased functioning, malnutrition, depression, and declines in quality of life during and after treatment. The purpose of this exploratory randomized study was to determine the optimal timing for the initiation of a lifestyle and progressive resistance exercise training intervention (during or after radiation therapy), as determined by intervention adherence and by comparing between-group outcomes across 24 weeks.

Methods: Sixty patients with head and neck cancer were randomized to engage in a 12-week lifestyle intervention and progressive resistance-training program either during radiation treatment or immediately after completion.

The Age Conundrum: A Scoping Review of Younger Age or Adolescent and Young Adult as a Risk Factor for Clinical Distress, Depression, or Anxiety in Cancer.

This scoping review was conducted to understand the extent, range, and nature of current research on adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer and distress, depression, and anxiety (DDA). This information is necessary to find and aggregate valuable data on the AYA population embedded in generalized studies of DDA. Keyword searches of six relevant electronic databases identified 2156 articles, with 316 selected for abstract review and 40 for full text review.

Discharge to Primary Care for Survivorship Follow-Up: How Are Patients With Early-Stage Breast Cancer Faring?

Purpose: Oncology centers in public health systems often transfer routine follow-up of patients with early-stage breast cancer (BC) to primary care physicians because of the increasing numbers of survivors and evidence supporting the safety of this practice. After transfer of care, it is unknown how BC survivors fare with treatment and surveillance goals, and whether they have unmet needs for access to specialist care. This study conducted in a sample of women in Alberta, Canada, examined adherence with follow-up guidelines, symptoms, and need for a telephone-based survivorship clinic.

Higher vagal activity as related to survival in patients with advanced breast cancer: an analysis of autonomic dysregulation.

Objective: High levels of high-frequency heart rate variability (HF-HRV), related to parasympathetic-nervous-system functioning, have been associated with longer survival in patients with myocardial infarction and acute trauma and in patients undergoing palliative care. From animal studies linking higher vagal activity with better immune system functioning and reduced metastases, we hypothesized that higher HF-HRV would predict longer survival in patients with metastatic or recurrent breast cancer (MRBC).

Methods: Eighty-seven patients with MRBC participated in a laboratory task including a 5-minute resting baseline electrocardiogram.

Mindfulness-based cancer recovery and supportive-expressive therapy maintain telomere length relative to controls in distressed breast cancer survivors.

Background: Group psychosocial interventions including mindfulness-based cancer recovery (MBCR) and supportive-expressive group therapy (SET) can help breast cancer survivors decrease distress and influence cortisol levels. Although telomere length (TL) has been associated with breast cancer prognosis, the impact of these two interventions on TL has not been studied to date.

Methods: The objective of the current study was to compare the effects of MBCR and SET with a minimal intervention control condition (a 1-day stress management seminar) on TL in distressed breast cancer survivors in a randomized controlled trial.

Deconstructing therapeutic mechanisms in cancer support groups: do we express more emotion when we tell stories or talk directly to each other?

Studies indicate that story-telling and emotional expression may be important therapeutic mechanisms. This study examined how they work together over 1 year of supportive-expressive group therapy (SET). Participants were 41 women randomized to SET.

Actigraphy-measured sleep disruption as a predictor of survival among women with advanced breast cancer.

Background: Poor sleep, prevalent among cancer survivors, is associated with disrupted hormonal circadian rhythms and poor quality of life. Using a prospective research design, this study aimed to clarify the relationship between objective measures of sleep efficiency and sleep disruption with survival among women with advanced breast cancer.

Method: We examined sleep quality and duration via wrist-worn actigraphy and sleep diaries for 3 days among 97 women in whom advanced breast cancer was diagnosed (age = 54.

Trait mindfulness, repression, suppression, and self-reported mood and stress symptoms among women with breast cancer.

Objective: This study sought to identify relationships between trait mindfulness, repressive, and suppressive emotional styles, and the relative importance of these traits in their association with self-reported psychological health among women with breast cancer.

Method: Of the 277 women with breast cancer accrued in the study, 227 (81.9%) completed a set of questionnaires assessing personality traits, stress symptoms, and mood.

Reflective research: supporting researchers engaged in analyzing end-of-life communication.

Objectives: The objectives of this commentary are to: (1) identify unique aspects of communication at end-of-life as compared to more commonly studied healthcare encounters; (2) outline challenges and opportunities research team members may encounter in coding and analyzing end-of-life communication; and (3) offer recommendations for quantitative communication research teams. This commentary is based on ours and others' experiences in studying the communication among patients with terminal illnesses, their families and their providers. Provider-patient/caregiver communication at end-of-life has some differences as compared to other forms of healthcare communication and, thus, has implications for researcher response.

Which symptoms matter? Self-report and observer discrepancies in repressors and high-anxious women with metastatic breast cancer.

Clinicians working with cancer patients listen to them, observe their behavior, and monitor their physiology. How do we proceed when these indicators do not align? Under self-relevant stress, non-cancer repressors respond with high arousal but report low anxiety; the high-anxious report high anxiety but often have lower arousal. This study extends discrepancy research on repressors and the high-anxious to a metastatic breast cancer sample and examines physician rating of coping.

Screening for distress, the 6th vital sign: common problems in cancer outpatients over one year in usual care: associations with marital status, sex, and age.

Background: Very few studies examine the longitudinal prevalence of problems and the awareness or use of clinical programs by patients who report these problems. Of the studies that examine age, gender and marital status as predictors of a range of patient outcomes, none examines the interactions between these demographic variables. This study examined the typical trajectory of common practical and psychosocial problems endorsed over 12 months in a usual-care sample of cancer outpatients.

Exercise and nutrition for head and neck cancer patients: a patient oriented, clinic-supported randomized controlled trial.

Background: Research on physical activity and nutrition interventions aimed at positively impacting symptom management, treatment-related recovery and quality of life has largely excluded head and neck (HN) cancer populations. This translates into a lack of clinical programming available for these patient populations. HN cancer patients deal with severe weight loss, with more than 70% attributed to lean muscle wasting, leading to extended recovery times, decreased quality of life (QoL), and impaired physical functioning.

Contemplative/emotion training reduces negative emotional behavior and promotes prosocial responses.

Contemplative practices are believed to alleviate psychological problems, cultivate prosocial behavior and promote self-awareness. In addition, psychological science has developed tools and models for understanding the mind and promoting well-being. Additional effort is needed to combine frameworks and techniques from these traditions to improve emotional experience and socioemotional behavior.