Sexual functioning in 4,418 postmenopausal women participating in UKCTOCS: a qualitative free-text analysis.

Objective: Sexual well-being can contribute significantly to the overall quality of women's lives. This qualitative study aimed to examine sexual activity, functioning, and satisfaction in a large sample of postmenopausal women from the UK Collaborative Trial of Ovarian Cancer Screening (UKCTOCS) METHODS:: Thematic analysis was used to evaluate the free-text data of the Fallowfield Sexual Activity Questionnaire (FSAQ) completed by UKCTOCS participants at baseline before annual screening.

Results: A total of 24,305 women completed the baseline FSAQ and 4,525 (19%) provided free-text data, with 4,418 comments eligible for analysis.

For the Benefit of Others: Reasons Why Women with Breast Cancer Participate in RCTs.

Background: Appreciation of the barriers and drivers affecting enrolment in randomised clinical trials (RCTs) is important for future trial design, communication and information provision.

Methods: As part of an intervention to facilitate UK multidisciplinary team communication about RCTs, women with breast cancer who discussed trials with doctors or research nurses completed questionnaires examining i) clarity of trial information and ii) reasons for their trial decision.

Results: 152 women completed the questionnaires; 113/152 (74%) consented to RCT enrolment.

Intravenous versus Subcutaneous Drug Administration. Which Do Patients Prefer? A Systematic Review.

Background: Intravenous (IV) drug delivery is commonly used for its rapid administration and immediate drug effect. Most studies compare IV to subcutaneous (SC) delivery in terms of safety and efficacy, but little is known about what patients prefer.

Methods: A systematic review was conducted by searching seven electronic databases for articles published up to February 2014.

Evaluation of an educational program to improve communication with patients about early-phase trial participation.

Background: Discussing early-phase cancer trials is challenging; most offer little personal benefit to patients with life-limiting illnesses who frequently have a poor understanding of and misconceptions about the therapeutic aims. We evaluated an evidence-based training program aimed at enhancing communication.

Methods: Prior to and after the intervention, 47 health care professionals (HCPs) experienced in early-phase trial recruitment were audio taped discussing trials with patient simulators who completed postinterview evaluations.

The views of patients and the general public about expensive anti-cancer drugs in the NHS: a questionnaire-based study.

Objectives: To determine the views of patients and members of the public about who should pay for expensive new cancer drugs not recommended by the National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (NICE).

Design: A study-specific questionnaire was used to elicit the views of patients and the general public between April and June 2010. It examined whether participants thought patients should be told about all possible cancer treatments, if the NHS should always fund non-NICE recommended drugs and attitudes towards self-funding/co-payments.

Communication and informed consent in phase 1 trials: a review of the literature from January 2005 to July 2009.

Objective And Methods: A review conducted in 2005 identified many of the communication difficulties experienced by patients and doctors when discussing phase 1 (P1) oncology trials. The current paper is an update of the area and focuses on studies that measure patient comprehension of information given during the P1 trial discussion and ways to enhance understanding. A literature search was performed for relevant articles published between January 2005 and July 1st 2009.

Effects of anastrozole on cognitive performance in postmenopausal women: a randomised, double-blind chemoprevention trial (IBIS II).

Background: Mild cognitive impairments have been recorded in cross-sectional studies of women with breast cancer receiving endocrine treatment. More comprehensive studies were warranted because aromatase inhibitors are being used increasingly in both chemoprevention and adjuvant settings. We report findings from the cognitive subprotocol of the International Breast Intervention Study (IBIS II), a double-blind placebo-controlled trial of anastrozole in postmenopausal women at high risk of developing breast cancer.

Does neoadjuvant hormone therapy for early prostate cancer affect cognition? Results from a pilot study.

Objective: To examine, in a prospective study, the influence that temporary reversible medical castration for localized prostate cancer has on cognition, by assessing whether temporary 3-5 month treatment with a luteinizing-hormone releasing hormone (LHRH) agonist before radical radiotherapy had a short- or long-term affect on cognitive function.

Patients, Subjects And Methods: Thirty-two patients with localized prostate cancer had cognitive assessments at baseline (T1) before the start of drug treatment, at 3 months (T2) or on completing drug treatment but before radiotherapy, and 9 months later (T3). Eighteen men with no prostate cancer (controls subjects) completed the cognitive tests at the same times.