Translating Evidence-Based Self-Management Interventions Using a Stepped-Care Approach for Patients With Cancer and Their Caregivers: A Pilot Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial Design.

Background: Self-directed interventions are cost-effective for patients with cancer and their family caregivers, but barriers to use can compromise adherence and efficacy.

Aim: Pilot a Sequential Multiple Assignment Randomized Trial (SMART) to develop a time-varying dyadic self-management intervention that follows a stepped-care approach in providing different types of guidance to optimize the delivery of Coping-Together, a dyadic self-directed self-management intervention.

Methods: 48 patients with cancer and their caregivers were randomized in Stage 1 to: (a) Coping-Together (included a workbook and 6 booklets) or (b) Coping-Together + lay telephone guidance.

It is time to address fear of cancer recurrence in family caregivers: protocol for the feasibility and acceptability of a randomized pilot study of the online version of the Family Caregiver-Fear Of Recurrence Therapy (FC-FORT).

Background: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is common, persistent, and is associated with lower quality of life, impaired functioning, and psychological distress in cancer patients. Studies suggest that family caregivers of cancer patients experience equal or greater levels of FCR than patients themselves. In the past 5 years, several interventions have demonstrated their ability to reduce FCR among cancer patients and in patient-caregiver dyads.

'I Live With Lynch. Cancer Worry Ebbs Into the Background, Then Something Brings It to the Fore.' A Qualitative Interview Study Exploring How Lynch Syndrome Carriers Make Sense of Their Cancer Risks and Implications to Support Decision Making.

Background: Lynch syndrome carriers ('carriers') are presented with complex, emotionally laden choices regarding management of increased genetic cancer risks. Decision aids encourage active involvement in values-based health decisions. This paper aimed to address the research question: How do Lynch syndrome carriers make sense of their chances of developing cancer, and what are the implications for providing support with decision making about genetic cancer risk management?

Methods: Adult carriers were recruited through a genetics service or involvement with Lynch Syndrome UK.

Exploring How Values of Colorectal Cancer Patients and their Caregivers Influence Treatment Decision-Making.

Background: As we adopt value models to inform drug reimbursement, coverage, clinical trials, and treatment choices, aligning these models to reflect patient values and preferences becomes increasingly relevant. In this study, we focus on colorectal cancer (CRC), which is highly prevalent and a leading cause of death in Canada, and new drug treatment options are costly.

Objective: The aim of this study was to understand how the values and experiences of people with CRC and their caregivers inform their perspectives about new and emerging colorectal cancer drug treatments.

Artificial Intelligence-Based Co-Facilitator (AICF) for Detecting and Monitoring Group Cohesion Outcomes in Web-Based Cancer Support Groups: Single-Arm Trial Study.

Background: Commonly offered as supportive care, therapist-led online support groups (OSGs) are a cost-effective way to provide support to individuals affected by cancer. One important indicator of a successful OSG session is group cohesion; however, monitoring group cohesion can be challenging due to the lack of nonverbal cues and in-person interactions in text-based OSGs. The Artificial Intelligence-based Co-Facilitator (AICF) was designed to contextually identify therapeutic outcomes from conversations and produce real-time analytics.

It's time to address fear of cancer recurrence in family caregivers: usability study of an virtual version of the Family Caregiver-Fear Of Recurrence Therapy (FC-FORT).

Background: Family caregivers of cancer survivors experience equal or greater levels of fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) than survivors themselves. Some interventions have demonstrated their ability to reduce FCR among cancer survivors and dyads (patient and caregivers). However, to date, no validated intervention exists to focus solely on family caregiver's FCR.

Identifying the Professional Development Needs Among Early Career Doctorally Prepared Oncology Professionals.

This study aimed to identify the professional development needs of early career doctorally prepared professionals in psychosocial oncology. We used a cross-sectional descriptive survey design to assess professionally related skills deemed most important to participants' academic excellence and promotion, skills they felt most and least confident to engage in, and those they were most interested to learn more about. Seventeen participants completed the survey and were, on average, 39.

Therapist Feedback and Implications on Adoption of an Artificial Intelligence-Based Co-Facilitator for Online Cancer Support Groups: Mixed Methods Single-Arm Usability Study.

Background: The recent onset of the COVID-19 pandemic and the social distancing requirement have created an increased demand for virtual support programs. Advances in artificial intelligence (AI) may offer novel solutions to management challenges such as the lack of emotional connections within virtual group interventions. Using typed text from online support groups, AI can help identify the potential risk of mental health concerns, alert group facilitator(s), and automatically recommend tailored resources while monitoring patient outcomes.

Communication about hereditary cancer risk to offspring: A systematic review of children's perspective.

Objective: The present review describes how children experience hereditary cancer risk communication within the family.

Methods: Searches for studies between 1990 and 2020 on PubMed and EBSCO were undertaken, and 15 studies met the inclusion criteria, following Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines. The findings informed: (1) how, when and what is discussed about hereditary cancer risk in the family; (2) how does family communication about hereditary cancer risk impact children on psychosocial and behavioral outcomes; (3) what are the child's preferences regarding hereditary cancer risk communication within the family.

Gender Socialization as a Predictor of Psychosocial Well-Being in Young Women with Breast Cancer.

This study aimed to explore the relationship between gender socialization and psychosocial well-being among young women diagnosed with and treated for breast cancer. A total of 113 women between the ages of 18-49 completed a one-time questionnaire package. Four key measures of gender socialization were included: Gender Role Socialization Scale (GRSS), Objectified Body Consciousness Scale (OBCS), Mental Freedom Scale (MFS), and Silencing the Self Scale (SSS).

Providing Care Beyond Therapy Sessions With a Natural Language Processing-Based Recommender System That Identifies Cancer Patients Who Experience Psychosocial Challenges and Provides Self-care Support: Pilot Study.

Background: The negative psychosocial impacts of cancer diagnoses and treatments are well documented. Virtual care has become an essential mode of care delivery during the COVID-19 pandemic, and online support groups (OSGs) have been shown to improve accessibility to psychosocial and supportive care. de Souza Institute offers CancerChatCanada, a therapist-led OSG service where sessions are monitored by an artificial intelligence-based co-facilitator (AICF).

The Genetic Psychosocial Risk Instrument (GPRI): A Validation Study for European Portuguese.

Introduction: Screening instruments specifically developed to identify genetic testing applicants who may need professional psychosocial support are much needed. However, there are no screening instruments validated for the Portuguese language. This paper presents the translation, adaptation, and validation process of the Genetic Psychosocial Risk Instrument in a sample of 207 Portuguese applicants to genetic testing in the context of inherited cancer risk.

Supporting Resilience and the Management of Grief and Loss among Nurses: Qualitative Themes from a Continuing Education Program.

Caring for patients with cancer is highly stimulating and rewarding, attracting health professionals to the field who enjoy the challenge of managing a complex illness. Health professionals often form close bonds with their patients as they confront ongoing disease or treatment impacts, which may be associated with multiple losses involving function and/or eventual loss of life. Ongoing exposure to patient loss, along with a challenging work setting, may pose significant stress and impact health professionals' well-being.

Early-Age-Onset Colorectal Cancer in Canada: Evidence, Issues and Calls to Action.

The inaugural Early-Age-Onset Colorectal Cancer Symposium was convened in June 2021 to discuss the implications of rapidly rising rates of early-age-onset colorectal cancer (EAO-CRC) in Canadians under the age of 50 and the impactful outcomes associated with this disease. While the incidence of CRC is declining in people over the age of 50 in Canada and other developed countries worldwide, it is significantly rising in younger people. Canadians born after 1980 are 2 to 2.

A Continuing Educational Program Supporting Health Professionals to Manage Grief and Loss.

Health professionals working in oncology face the challenge of a stressful work environment along with impacts of providing care to those suffering from a life-threatening illness and encountering high levels of patient loss. Longitudinal exposure to loss and suffering can lead to grief, which over time can lead to the development of compassion fatigue (CF). Prevalence rates of CF are significant, yet health professionals have little knowledge on the topic.

Pathways to Acceptance in Participants of Advanced Cancer Online Support Groups.

: Individuals with cancer, especially advanced cancer, are faced with numerous difficulties associated with the disease, including an earlier death than expected. Those who are able to confront and accept the hardships associated with the disease in a way that aligns with their beliefs benefit from more positive psychological outcomes compared to those who are aware of their diagnosis but are unable to accept it. To date, there is limited research exploring factors contributing to illness and death acceptance in the context of advanced cancer in group therapy settings.

Evaluation of Usability and Satisfaction of Two Online Tools to Guide Return to Work for Cancer Survivors on the Cancer and Work Website.

Prompt services and work-focused support systems are needed to aid cancer survivors returning to work or finding work. Purpose This knowledge translation and implementation project focused on the knowledge users' experience and need for refinement of three work-focused tools to support return to work and maintain work following cancer through their participation in a hands-on workshop. The tools assessed for their utility are a Job Analysis Tool (JAT), a Return to Work (RTW) tool, and a bilingual Canadian website on Cancer and Work.

Establishing best practices in cancer online support groups: protocol for a realist review.

Introduction: Considerable observational evidence suggests that cancer online support groups reduce feelings of isolation, depression and anxiety, enhance coping and self-management, and lead to better informed patients. Other studies indicate that cancer online support groups can increase distress. Yet no studies theorise the complex, context-dependent mechanisms by which cancer online support groups generate their-sometimes contrasting-outcomes.

Natural Language Processing-Based Virtual Cofacilitator for Online Cancer Support Groups: Protocol for an Algorithm Development and Validation Study.

Background: Cancer and its treatment can significantly impact the short- and long-term psychological well-being of patients and families. Emotional distress and depressive symptomatology are often associated with poor treatment adherence, reduced quality of life, and higher mortality. Cancer support groups, especially those led by health care professionals, provide a safe place for participants to discuss fear, normalize stress reactions, share solidarity, and learn about effective strategies to build resilience and enhance coping.

Hereditary colorectal cancer screening: A 10-year longitudinal cohort study following an educational intervention.

Family history (FH) of a first-degree relative with colorectal cancer (CRC) is associated with two to fourfold increased risk, yet screening uptake is suboptimal despite proven mortality reduction. We developed a FH-based CRC Risk Triage/Management tool for family physicians (FPs), and educational booklet for patients with CRC FH. This report describes physician referral and patient screening behavior 5 and 10 years post-educational intervention, and factors associated with screening.

Translating the Restoring Body Image After Cancer (ReBIC) Group Therapy Intervention Into an Online Version: A Successful Case Study and Recommendations.

A growing number of face-to-face group therapy interventions are being translated into online versions in psycho-oncology. Yet few researchers have systematically described the complex translation process or systematic approaches used to maintain the integrity of the original empirically supported interventions. In this article, we present a case study to illustrate the process of translating an evidence-based face-to-face therapy group, Restoring Body Image after Cancer (ReBIC) into an online format.

Restoring body image after cancer (ReBIC): A group therapy intervention.

Objectives: Body image (BI) remains a significant survivorship challenge among breast cancer (BC) survivors. We describe an 8-week group intervention-restoring body image after cancer (ReBIC)-developed to target BI distress for BC survivors.

Methods: The intervention was informed by interviews with BC survivors and by a descriptive, exploratory approach which adapted guided imagery exercises to address BI.

A randomized trial of nurse-administered behavioral interventions to manage anticipatory nausea and vomiting in chemotherapy.

Purpose: Chemotherapy side effects diminish quality of life and can lead to treatment delay. Nausea and vomiting can occur prior to chemotherapy because of classical conditioning. We studied the effects of 20-minute behavioral interventions, administered by oncology nurses, of higher intensity (mindfulness relaxation-MR) or lower intensity (relaxing music-RM), on anticipatory nausea and vomiting (ANV).

Online interventions to address body image distress in cancer.

Purpose Of Review: Body image is a critical psychosocial issue for patients with cancer, because of the profound effects the disease and its treatment can have on appearance and bodily functioning. Adverse psychological effects of body image changes associated with cancer include debilitating levels of anxiety, social avoidance, depression, problems with intimacy and impaired sexuality, and feelings of shame/inadequacy. The construct of body image is increasingly recognized as complex and multifaceted from an embodied lens, creating more meaningful and efficacious interventions.

Feasibility and acceptability of i-Restoring Body Image after Cancer (i-ReBIC): A pilot trial for female cancer survivors.

Objective: This pilot study aimed to evaluate the feasibility, acceptability, and psychosocial outcomes of a text-based online group therapy intervention, i-Restoring Body Image after Cancer (i-ReBIC). i-ReBIC was developed to reduce body image distress and psychosexual dysfunction among women diagnosed and treated for breast or gynecological cancer.

Methods: i-ReBIC was adapted from an empirically tested face-to-face group therapy intervention, ReBIC.