Rates of paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions using a modified Markman's infusion protocol as primary prophylaxis.

Purpose: Markman's desensitisation protocol allows successful retreatment of patients who have had significant paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions. We aimed to reduce the risk and severity of paclitaxel hypersensitivity reactions by introducing this protocol as primary prophylaxis.

Methods: We evaluated all patients with a gynaecological malignancy receiving paclitaxel before (December 2018 to September 2019) and after (October 2019 to July 2020) the implementation of a modified Markman's desensitisation protocol.

Scanxiety Conversations on Twitter: Observational Study.

Background: Scan-associated anxiety (or "scanxiety") is commonly experienced by people having cancer-related scans. Social media platforms such as Twitter provide a novel source of data for observational research.

Objective: We aimed to identify posts on Twitter (or "tweets") related to scanxiety, describe the volume and content of these tweets, and describe the demographics of users posting about scanxiety.

Exploring assessment of balance using virtual reality in patients at risk of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common dose-limiting toxicity for people treated for cancer. Impaired balance and falls are functional consequences of CIPN. Virtual reality (VR) technology may be able to assess balance and identify patients at risk of falls.

Prevalence and severity of scanxiety in people with advanced cancers: a multicentre survey.

Purpose: Scan-associated anxiety ('scanxiety') is a problem for people with advanced cancer. We aimed to determine the prevalence, severity and associations of scanxiety in this population.

Methods: People with advanced cancer and a computed tomography scan within the last 4 months completed a multicentre survey including self-rated presence (yes/no) and severity (distress thermometer, 0-10) of scanxiety, state anxiety (STAI-6), clinical anxiety and depression (HADS), and fear of progression (FOP-Q-SF).

Experiences with scans and scanxiety in people with advanced cancer: a qualitative study.

Purpose: Scan-associated anxiety ('scanxiety') in people with advanced cancer is a common clinical problem. This study aims to explore the experiences of scans and scanxiety in people with advanced cancer, including their strategies to reduce scanxiety.

Methods: Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with people with advanced cancers who had a computed tomography scan for monitoring of their cancer.

Ovarian suppression for adjuvant treatment of hormone receptor-positive early breast cancer.

Background: Approximately 80% of breast cancers amongst premenopausal women are hormone receptor-positive. Adjuvant endocrine therapy is an integral component of care for hormone receptor-positive breast cancer and in premenopausal women includes oestrogen receptor blockade with tamoxifen, temporary suppression of ovarian oestrogen synthesis by luteinising hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonists, and permanent interruption of ovarian oestrogen synthesis with oophorectomy or radiotherapy. Recent international consensus statements recommend single-agent tamoxifen or aromatase inhibitors with ovarian function suppression (OFS) as the current standard adjuvant endocrine therapy for premenopausal women (often preceded by chemotherapy).

Targeted Molecular Treatments in Non-Small Cell Lung Cancer: A Clinical Guide for Oncologists.

Targeted molecular treatments have changed the way non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC) is managed. ( and mutations are now used to guide specific anti-cancer therapies to improve patient outcomes. New targeted molecular treatments are constantly being developed and evaluated as a means to improve efficacy, overcome resistance, or minimise toxicity.

Longer duration of transient elastography predicts unreliable liver stiffness measurements.

Background: Transient elastography (TE) is a noninvasive, validated method to assess liver fibrosis by obtaining liver stiffness measurements (LSM). However, TE can be limited by unreliable measurement (UM). The relationship between the time taken to perform TE (duration) and UM has not been studied.

Oral contraceptive use in women at increased risk of breast/ovarian cancer: knowledge and attitudes.

Background: Several of the health benefits and risks associated with the combined oral contraceptive pill (COCP) are particularly relevant to women at risk of hereditary breast and/or ovarian cancer.

Methods: Eighty-three past female patients of an Australian hereditary cancer clinic aged 18-50 years completed a self-report questionnaire to assess their contraceptive practices, knowledge and information needs (44% response rate).

Results: Ninety-two percent of participants had previously used the COCP, with a mean knowledge score of 3.