A multisite, community oncology-based randomized trial of a brief educational intervention to increase communication regarding complementary and alternative medicine.

Background: The use of complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is widespread, yet there is relatively little discussion regarding its use between oncology patients and their health care practitioners.

Methods: This multisite randomized trial examined the efficacy of an educational intervention designed to encourage oncology nurses to discuss CAM use with their patients. A total of 175 nurses completed questionnaires about discussing CAM use with patients at baseline and 2 months after the intervention.

Single agent carboplatin versus carboplatin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin in recurrent ovarian cancer: final survival results of a SWOG (S0200) phase 3 randomized trial.

Objectives: Randomized phase 3 trials have demonstrated the utility of a regimen of carboplatin plus pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) in recurrent ovarian cancer, and have provided provocative data suggesting a substantially lower risk of carboplatin-associated hypersensitivity if PDL is delivered in combination with the platinum agent.

Methods: To further examine both of these clinically-relevant issues, the survival outcome (with longer follow-up) and hypersensitivity reaction profile of a previously reported phase 3 trial that compared single agent carboplatin (AUC 5) to carboplatin (AUC 5) plus PLD (30 mg/m(2)) delivered on an every 4-week schedule in recurrent ovarian cancer (SWOG 0200) were re-analyzed.

Results: In the limited number of patients (n=61) entered into this phase 3 study before closure by the SWOG Data Safety and Monitoring Committee due to insufficient accrual, there was an initially reported improvement in outcome associated with the combination regimen.

A randomized trial to increase physical activity in breast cancer survivors.

Purpose: Interventions to increase physical activity among breast cancer survivors are needed to improve health and quality of life and possibly to reduce the risk of disease recurrence and early mortality. Therefore, we report the feasibility and preliminary outcomes of a pilot randomized trial designed to increase physical activity in sedentary breast cancer survivors receiving hormone therapy.

Methods: Forty-one sedentary women on estrogen receptor modulators or aromatase inhibitors for stage I, II, or IIIA breast cancer were randomly assigned to receive a 12-wk multidisciplinary physical activity behavior change intervention or usual care.

Randomized trial of pegylated liposomal doxorubicin (PLD) plus carboplatin versus carboplatin in platinum-sensitive (PS) patients with recurrent epithelial ovarian or peritoneal carcinoma after failure of initial platinum-based chemotherapy (Southwest Oncology Group Protocol S0200).

Objective: Because debate continues over the role of combination, platinum-based chemotherapy for platinum-sensitive (PS), recurrent ovarian cancer (OC), we compared overall survival (OS), progression-free survival (PFS), confirmed complete response rate and time to treatment failure in this population.

Methods: Patients with recurrent stage III or IV OC, a progression-free and platinum-free interval of 6-24 months after first-line platinum-based chemotherapy and up to 12 courses of a non-platinum containing consolidation treatment were eligible. Patients were randomized to i.

Exercise barrier and task self-efficacy in breast cancer patients during treatment.

Understanding exercise self-efficacy in breast cancer patients during treatment is important for enhancing physical activity adherence. Therefore, the primary study purpose was to determine, among breast cancer patients during treatment, the psychometric properties of scales to measure exercise barrier and task self-efficacy. The study also aimed to determine the following: (1) level of self-efficacy, (2) associations between barrier and task self-efficacy, and (3) associations between self-efficacy and patient age, race, and treatment type.