Outpatient acupuncture effects on patient self-reported symptoms in oncology care: a retrospective analysis.

Increased access to complementary therapies such as acupuncture at academic medical centers has created new opportunities for management of cancer and cancer treatment related symptoms. Patients presenting for acupuncture treatment during calendar year 2016 at an outpatient integrative medicine clinic in a comprehensive cancer center were asked to complete a modified Edmonton Symptom Assessment Scale (ESAS; 16 symptoms, score 0-10, 10 worst possible) before and after each visit. ESAS subscales analyzed included global (GDS; score 0-90), physical (PHS, 0-60) and psychological distress (PSS, 0-20).

Cost-Effectiveness Analysis of a Capitated Patient Navigation Program for Medicare Beneficiaries with Lung Cancer.

Objective: To assess the cost-effectiveness of implementing a patient navigation (PN) program with capitated payment for Medicare beneficiaries diagnosed with lung cancer.

Data Sources/study Setting: Cost-effectiveness analysis.

Study Design: A Markov model to capture the disease progression of lung cancer and characterize clinical benefits of PN services as timeliness of treatment and care coordination.

Assessing breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and misconceptions among Latinas in Houston, Texas.

Background: Limited breast cancer knowledge and beliefs, risk factors, screening procedures, and cultural barriers may keep Latinas from seeking health care.

Method: We examined the breast cancer knowledge, beliefs, and misconceptions of 63 Latinas residing in Houston, Texas.

Results: More than a third of participants held a negative or fatalistic view of breast cancer, 29% believed pain was a warning sign for the disease, and 11.