Background: While it is often presumed that undergoing breast reconstruction (BR) after mastectomy has positive psychosocial effects, a comprehensive review of current knowledge on the topic is to date absent. The aim of this systematic review is to summarize the available literature on the effects of BR on postoperative psychological distress.
Methods: A systematic review of the literature was performed using PubMed, Google Scholar, EMBASE, PSYCinfo, and Web of Science.
Objective: To present primary care physician (PCP) suggestions for design and implementation of a decision aid (DA) tool to support patient-provider shared decision-making on lung cancer screening (LCS).
Study Design: Semistructured interviews were conducted with 15 PCPs at an academic medical center.
Methods: The deidentified transcripts were independently coded by 2 study interviewers and jointly reviewed every 5 interviews until we determined that data saturation had been achieved.
Introduction: Many women with cancer struggle with sexual side effects during and after treatment. Although preliminary evidence indicates that psychosocial interventions may be efficacious in improving sexual functioning for women with cancer, no systematic review has summarized the state of the science in this area.
Objectives: The primary goal of this review was to narratively synthesize the results of randomized controlled trials (RCTs) testing the efficacy of psychosocial interventions to address sexual dysfunction in women with cancer.
Trauma has substantial effects on human health and is recognised as a potential barrier to seeking or receiving cancer care. The evidence that exists regarding the effect of trauma on seeking cancer screening, diagnosis, and treatment and the gaps therein can define this emerging research area and guide the development of interventions intended to improve the cancer care continuum for trauma survivors. This Review summarises current literature on the effects of trauma history on screening, diagnosis, and treatment among adult patients at risk for or diagnosed with cancer.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Research shows that for survivors of sexual violence (SV), cancer procedures can be retraumatizing due to perceived similarities to the original SV. To date, there is no training program designed specifically for the radiation therapist (RTT) on how to deliver care sensitively to survivors of SV. A key component of sensitive practice is working with patients to identify and develop strategies to manage situations that could be triggering.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Vaginal stenosis is a distressing side effect of radiation therapy that can impair quality of life. Dilator therapy is an option for patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy to mitigate vaginal stenosis. Currently, the dilators given to patients by most hospitals are made of plastic, compared to silicone dilators which are available on the market for purchase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPurpose: This manuscript aims to compare and contrast acceptability and perceived benefits of yoga-skills training (YST) and an empathic listening attention control (AC) in the Pro-You study, a randomized pilot trial of YST vs. AC for adults receiving chemotherapy infusions for gastrointestinal cancer.
Methods: Participants were invited for a one-on-one interview at week 14 follow-up, after completing all intervention procedures and quantitative assessments.
Purpose: For childhood sexual abuse survivors, cancer care can be retraumatizing because of perceived similarities to the original sexual violence. The authors' group designed and implemented a sensitive practice tool (SPT) and evaluated the feasibility of the tool in female patients receiving breast radiation.
Methods: The SPT was offered as a "universal precaution" to patients with breast cancer as part of standard clinical care.
Purpose: Breast arterial calcifications (BAC), detected by digital mammography are a potential marker of coronary artery disease (CAD). Past BAC research has been limited by having primarily racially and ethnically homogeneous samples, samples at higher risk for CAD, and neglecting to explore the influence of women's health factors. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the prevalence of, and factors associated with, BAC in an ethnically and racially diverse group.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFIntroduction: Vaginal stenosis is a distressing side effect of radiation therapy that can impair quality of life. Dilator therapy is an option for patients undergoing pelvic radiotherapy to mitigate vaginal stenosis. Currently, the dilators given to patients by most hospitals are made of plastic, compared to silicone dilators which are available on the market for purchase.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: BI-RADS 0 screening mammograms require follow-up diagnostic imaging, optimally within 60 days. Our study aims to identify risk factors for delayed follow-up.
Methods: We conducted a retrospective case-control study of individuals who had a nondiagnostic BI-RADS 0 screening mammogram between March 19, 2018, and March 19, 2020.
Objective: Among the major impediments to successful smoking cessation are strong cravings, especially during times of heightened stress. Affective responses to stress (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFObjective: Digital mammography can reveal not only breast cancer but also breast arterial calcification (BAC), which can indicate potential coronary artery disease. To explore ways to inform women of their BAC status in the context of a standard mammography results letter, we conducted a preliminary study comparing gain- and loss-framed messages to encourage follow-up cardiovascular care.
Methods: U.
Aims: To evaluate the feasibility and acceptability of a randomized controlled trial of a hypnosis intervention for the treatment of bladder pain syndrome/interstitial cystitis (BPS/IC) in women.
Methods: We conducted a parallel arm, non-blinded, pilot randomized controlled trial of standardized hypnosis sessions including a hypnosis web tool versus usual care in adult women with BPS/IC. Pilot study outcomes included feasibility domains: process, resources and management, safety, and acceptability.
There is growing literature to support the use of hypnosis as an evidence-based behavioral medicine intervention to manage a wide variety of symptoms and side effects associated with cancer and its treatment (e.g., pain, nausea, fatigue).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPsychol Conscious (Wash D C)
September 2019
Hypnosis has been shown to be efficacious in the control of the symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment across all stages of the cancer continuum. Yet, hypnosis has generally failed to widely disseminate to clinical cancer settings, potentially due in part to provider attitudes about hypnosis. In a sample of 340 trainees (psychosocial cancer care providers), we tested the effects of a 12-minute online video hypnosis lecture on provider attitudes (using the Attitudes Toward Hypnosis Questionnaire).
View Article and Find Full Text PDFPsychol Conscious (Wash D C)
June 2018
Despite the available empirical evidence supporting the efficacy of hypnosis for alleviating symptoms and side effects across a variety of clinical contexts, hypnosis has failed to disseminate widely. One way to try to better understand the lack of hypnosis dissemination is to apply a marketing theory approach, focusing on attitudes and beliefs about a product (hypnosis) held by consumers. Better understanding of such factors can lead to strategies to promote the product among consumers, and in this case, encourage dissemination.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Ration Emot Cogn Behav Ther
December 2017
Identifying as a 'cancer victim' has been linked to adverse psychosocial sequelae in individuals who have been diagnosed with cancer. Being a childhood sexual abuse (CSA) survivor may predispose individuals towards a "victim" identity in general. The aim of this study was to determine the prevalence of identifying as a 'cancer victim' among CSA survivors who were diagnosed with cancer as adults, and to explore psychological factors associated with identification as a cancer victim.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFRadiotherapy is a common and effective treatment for women with breast cancer. However, radiotherapy has also been shown to adversely affect patients' emotional well-being. Currently, few mind-body interventions are designed to improve patients' quality of life during radiotherapy.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFUnlabelled: ABSTRACTObjective:Some 25% of women and 8% of men in the United States have experienced childhood sexual abuse (CSA) before the age of 18. For these individuals, healthcare visits and interactions can be retraumatizing due to perceived similarities to past abuse (e.g.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHypnosis has been shown to alleviate symptoms and side effects of cancer and its treatment. However, less is known about the use of hypnosis at the end of life in individuals with cancer. Our goal was to systematically review the literature on the use of hypnosis to manage the most common symptoms of end-of-life cancer patients: fatigue, sleep disturbances, pain, appetite loss, and dyspnea.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground: Although family satisfaction is recognized as a critical indicator of quality for patients with advanced cancer, it is rarely assessed as part of routine clinical care. Measurement burden may be one barrier to widespread use of family satisfaction measures.
Objective: The goal of this study was to test the ability of a new, brief 5-item measure of family satisfaction with care to accurately capture differences across hospital settings.
Introduction: Satisfaction with breast reconstruction is thought to be greatest among patients who complete nipple and areolar complex (NAC) reconstruction. Anecdotally, many patients are known to decline NAC reconstruction. The authors aimed to characterize the epidemiology of and factors associated with incomplete breast reconstruction.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFJ Cancer Educ
December 2016
This study aimed (i) to determine whether people could be differentiated on the basis of their sun protection belief profiles and individual characteristics and (ii) explore the use of a crowdsourcing web service for the assessment of sun protection beliefs. A sample of 500 adults completed an online survey of sun protection belief items using Amazon Mechanical Turk. A two-phased cluster analysis (i.
View Article and Find Full Text PDF