A longitudinal study of four unique trajectories of psychological distress in cancer survivors after completing potentially curative treatment.

Many survivors report short-term, transient psychological distress after cancer treatment. Some experience severe, worsening or persistent psychological morbidity which impairs functioning and warrants intervention. Using Bonanno's trajectories model, this study aimed to distinguish distress trajectories and to identify demographic, medical or psychosocial characteristics that differentiate those at risk of ongoing, clinically significant psychological distress.

Nurse-led group consultation intervention reduces depressive symptoms in men with localised prostate cancer: a cluster randomised controlled trial.

Background: Radiotherapy for localised prostate cancer has many known and distressing side effects. The efficacy of group interventions for reducing psychological morbidity is lacking. This study investigated the relative benefits of a group nurse-led intervention on psychological morbidity, unmet needs, treatment-related concerns and prostate cancer-specific quality of life in men receiving curative intent radiotherapy for prostate cancer.

Evaluating a nurse-led survivorship care package (SurvivorCare) for bowel cancer survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer affecting both men and women in Australia. The illness and related treatments can cause distressing adverse effects, impact on emotional and psychological well-being, and adversely affect social, occupational and relationship functioning for many years after the end of treatment or, in fact, lifelong. Current models of follow-up fail to address the complex needs arising after treatment completion.

Profile and predictors of global distress: can the DT guide nursing practice in prostate cancer?

Objective: This study examines the ability of the distress thermometer to accurately identify patients with higher symptoms, unmet needs and psychological morbidity.

Methods: Baseline data collected as part of a randomized controlled trial evaluating a nurse-led supportive care intervention for men with prostate cancer commencing radiotherapy at a specialist cancer hospital in Melbourne, Australia. Measures assessed global distress (DT), anxious and depressive symptomatology (HADS), prostate-cancer specific quality of life (EPIC-26), unmet supportive care needs (SCNS-SF34R) and cancer treatment-related concerns (CATS).

Validation of the Supportive Care Needs Survey-short form 34 with a simplified response format in men with prostate cancer.

Objective: The Supportive Care Needs Survey-short form (SCNS-SF34) is a commonly used instrument that assesses levels of unmet needs in cancer patients across five domains. Participants in a number of recent studies have experienced difficulties with the five-point, two-level response scale. This study aimed to validate the SCNS-SF34 with a simplified four-point response format in a large sample of Australian men with prostate cancer.

Development and pilot testing of a nurse-led posttreatment support package for bowel cancer survivors.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the most common cancer affecting both men and women in Australia. The illness and related treatments can cause distressing adverse effects, impact on emotional and psychological well-being, and adversely affect social, occupational, and relationship functioning. Current models of follow-up fail to address the complex needs arising after treatment completion.

The views of bowel cancer survivors and health care professionals regarding survivorship care plans and post treatment follow up.

Goals Of Work: Increasing numbers of people survive cancer beyond diagnosis and treatment. Many survivors have ongoing needs and they may encounter fragmented, poorly coordinated follow up care. Survivorship care plans (SCP) have been promoted as a key aspect of survivorship care.

Nonpharmacologic strategies for managing common chemotherapy adverse effects: a systematic review.

Purpose: Adverse effects of chemotherapy can be severe and can have a significant impact on a person's quality of life. With chemotherapy treatment increasingly administered in the ambulatory setting, there is a need for patients to be informed about effective self-care strategies to manage treatment adverse effects. Advice for patients needs to be based on evidence.