Manual lymphatic drainage for lymphedema following breast cancer treatment.

Background: More than one in five patients who undergo treatment for breast cancer will develop breast cancer-related lymphedema (BCRL). BCRL can occur as a result of breast cancer surgery and/or radiation therapy. BCRL can negatively impact comfort, function, and quality of life (QoL).

Perceptions about participation in cancer clinical trials in New York state.

Background: Clinical trials are valuable in advancing cancer care through the investigation of ways in which to better prevent, detect and diagnose, and/or treat cancer. Recruitment of adults into clinical trials has historically been low.

Objective: To survey adult cancer patients who reside in New York state to better understand their participation in and attitudes about clinical trials.

Routine, empathic and compassionate patient care: definitions, development, obstacles, education and beneficiaries.

Rationale: We believe that this study represents an innovative approach to clarifying the definitions of routine, empathic and compassionate health care, as well as of sympathy. We emphasize the importance of affective empathy and its intensification in the context of patient suffering (compassion), without abandoning the ideal of clinical equanimity.

Methods: We develop a pedagogical model for clinicians and trainees who are weaker in their empathic skills that includes four levels of growth.