From Treatment to Recovery: Gynecological Survivors' and Caregivers' Perspectives About the Usability of an Educational Resource.

The objective of this study was to understand gynecological cancer (GC) survivors' and their informal caregivers' perceptions about the usability of an educational resource to support their transition from primary cancer treatment into surveillance and/or recovery. After developing an empirical- and experiential-informed educational resource, we used a semi-structured questioning process to understand GC survivors and their caregivers' perceptions about its usability. Data were collected via online focus groups or 1:1 interviews that were audio recorded and transcribed.

Medical physics external beam plan review: What contributes to the variability?

Purpose: In this article we report on the results of a survey of physics plan review practices conducted by the Cancer Care Ontario Communities of Practice and the variations in practice between and within centers.

Methods: The medical physicists at each center worked together to complete the survey and submit a single response for that center. A 4-point Likert scale, used to report the variation in practice at each center, was quantified into two parameters: "Intra-center variation", the distribution of responses within the center, and "Variation between centers", the difference between the center's response and the provincial mean.

Practical recommendations for critical care and anesthesiology teams caring for novel coronavirus (2019-nCoV) patients.

A global health emergency has been declared by the World Health Organization as the 2019-nCoV outbreak spreads across the world, with confirmed patients in Canada. Patients infected with 2019-nCoV are at risk for developing respiratory failure and requiring admission to critical care units. While providing optimal treatment for these patients, careful execution of infection control measures is necessary to prevent nosocomial transmission to other patients and to healthcare workers providing care.

Coping with fear of cancer recurrence among ovarian cancer survivors living in small urban and rural settings: A qualitative descriptive study.

Purpose: Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) is a paramount concern among ovarian cancer survivors. Evidence shows that cancer survivors living in regional or rural areas have higher psychological morbidity; however, no known studies have explored how ovarian cancer survivors living in small urban and rural areas cope with FCR.

Methods: In this qualitative descriptive study, a semi-structured questioning process was developed in accordance with Carver et al.

Preparing the Intensive Care Unit for Disaster.

Critical care teams can face a dramatic surge in demand for ICU beds and organ support during a disaster. Through effective preparedness, teams can enable a more effective response and hasten recovery back to normal operations. Disaster preparedness needs to balance an all-hazards approach with focused hazard-specific preparation guided by a critical care-specific hazard-vulnerability analysis.

Comparison of wait times across the breast cancer treatment pathway among screened women undergoing organized breast assessment versus usual care.

Objective: The benefit of organized breast assessment on wait times to treatment among asymptomatic women is unknown. The Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) offers screening and organized assessment through Breast Assessment Centres (BAC). This study compares wait times across the treatment pathway among screened women diagnosed with breast cancer through BAC and usual care (UC).

The efficacy and safety of sunitinib given on an individualised schedule as first-line therapy for metastatic renal cell carcinoma: A phase 2 clinical trial.

Background: Sunitinib is administered on a rigid schedule that may not be optimal for all patients. We hypothesised that toxicity-driven dose and schedule changes would optimise drug exposure and outcome for each patient.

Materials And Methods: In a phase 2 trial, 117 patients with metastatic clear cell renal cell cancer were started on sunitinib 50 mg/day with the aim to treat for 28 days.

Evaluation of a comprehensive geriatric assessment tool in geriatric cancer patients undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy: a pilot study.

Purpose: It is recommended to use comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) in clinical oncology practice to improve care for geriatric cancer patients and to identify medical and social issues that may need further intervention. The purpose of this pragmatic pilot study was to evaluate the effectiveness of the Hurria et al. CGA in cancer patients 70 years of age or older undergoing adjuvant chemotherapy, as well as the feasibility of integrating it into a busy clinic practice and the psychosocial impact on these patients.

The impact of organized breast assessment on survival by stage for screened women diagnosed with invasive breast cancer.

Purpose: Since 1998, the Ontario Breast Screening Program (OBSP) has offered organized assessment through Breast Assessment Centres (BAC). This study compares survival between screened women diagnosed with breast cancer who have undergone assessment through a BAC and usual care (UC).

Methods: A retrospective design identified two concurrent cohorts of women aged 50 to 69 within the OBSP diagnosed with screen-detected invasive breast cancer at a BAC (n = 2010) and UC (n = 1844) between 2002 and 2010 and followed until 2016.

Validity of Administrative Databases in Comparison to Medical Charts for Breast Cancer Treatment Data.

Objective: Medical chart abstraction is the gold standard for collecting breast cancer treatment data for monitoring and research. A less costly alternative is the use of administrative databases. This study will evaluate administrative data in comparison to medical charts for breast cancer treatment information.

Canadian Cancer Trials Group (CCTG) IND211: A randomized trial of pelareorep (Reolysin) in patients with previously treated advanced or metastatic non-small cell lung cancer receiving standard salvage therapy.

Objectives: Pelareorep (reolysin), a Dearing strain of reovirus serotype 3, has demonstrated oncolytic activity as single agent and synergy with chemotherapy. We evaluated pelareorep, combined with standard second-line chemotherapy in patients with non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC).

Materials And Methods: This randomized phase II trial enrolled patients with advanced or metastatic NSCLC after first line chemotherapy.

A phase II, multicenter study of cetuximab monotherapy in patients with refractory, metastatic colorectal carcinoma with absent epidermal growth factor receptor immunostaining.

Purpose: To determine antitumor activity of cetuximab monotherapy in patients with refractory metastatic colorectal carcinoma (mCRC) with lack of specific membrane immunostaining for the epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR).

Patients And Methods: Patients had immunohistochemical (IHC)-determined mCRC with absent EGFR immunostaining that progressed after receiving at least one standard, fluoropyrimidine-containing chemotherapeutic regimen. Absent EGFR immunostaining was defined as the IHC absence of specific membrane staining in ≥500 cancer cells examined in well-preserved tissue.

How well do guidelines incorporate evidence on patient preferences?

Background: Clinical practice guidelines (CPG) are meant to consider important values such as patient preferences.

Objective: To assess how well clinical practice guidelines (CPGs) integrate evidence on patient preferences compared with that on treatment effectiveness.

Design: A cross-sectional review of a listing in 2006 of CPGs judged to be the best in their fields by an external joint government and medical association body.