Measurement of Completeness and Timeliness of Linked Electronic Health Record Pharmacy Data for Early Detection of Nonadherence to Breast Cancer Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy.

Purpose: This retrospective cohort study evaluated whether linked electronic health record (EHR) pharmacy data were adequately complete and timely to detect primary nonadherence to breast cancer adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET).

Materials And Methods: Linked EHR pharmacy data were extracted from the EHR for patients with stage 0 to III breast cancer who had their first prescription order for AET between 2016 and 2021. Patients with the first dispense event within 90 days of the prescription were classified as having sufficient or insufficient data available for early detection of primary adherence.

Breast Density Status Changes: Frequency, Sequence, and Practice Implications.

Objective: Changes in a patient's reported breast density status (dense vs nondense) trigger modifications in their cancer risk profile and supplemental screening recommendations. This study tracked the frequency and longitudinal sequence of breast density status changes among patients who received serial mammograms.

Methods: This IRB-approved, HIPAA-compliant retrospective cohort study tracked breast density changes among patients who received at least 2 mammograms over an 8-year study period.

Zentangle® Pilot Study: A Mindfulness Exercise for Oncology Nurses.

Background: This study introduced Zentangle®, which involves drawing simple, repetitive lines and shapes to create patterns, as a tool to promote wellness for oncology nurses in a clinical practice setting.

Objectives: The purpose of this study was to determine whether Zentangle used as a meditative activity in an acute time frame decreased stress, fatigue, and burnout while increasing professional quality of life and well-being in oncology nurses.

Methods: Twenty-six oncology nurses participated in a two-hour Zentangle class and received materials to complete art over four weeks.

Disparities in Patient Portal Use Among Adults With Chronic Conditions.

Importance: Disparities in patient access and use of health care portals have been documented. Limited research has evaluated disparities in portal use during and after the COVID-19 pandemic.

Objective: To assess prevalence of health care portal use before, during, and after the most restrictive phase of the pandemic (2019-2022) among the COVID-19 & Chronic Conditions (C3) cohort and to investigate any disparities in use by sociodemographic factors.

Mitochondria-derived small RNAs as diagnostic biomarkers in lung cancer patients through a novel ratio-based expression analysis methodology.

Small non-coding RNAs are potential diagnostic biomarkers for lung cancer. Mitochondria-derived small RNA (mtRNA) is a novel regulatory small non-coding RNA that only recently has been identified and cataloged. Currently, there are no reports of studies of mtRNA in human lung cancer.

The relationship between response style and symptom reporting in cancer patients.

Purpose: Patient-reported outcomes are considered the gold standard for documenting treatment-related toxicities and cancer-related symptoms in the management of oncology patients. Poor concordance between patients and health care professionals (HCPs) on patients' symptoms has been documented. The purpose of this study is to examine the association between social desirability, a response style, and symptom reporting in a colorectal cancer clinic.

Impact of the 2018 ACR Supplemental Screening Recommendations on MRI Eligibility in Breast Cancer Survivors.

Purpose: The 2018 ACR recommendations for breast cancer screening in women at higher than average risk include new recommendations for supplemental breast MRI for patients with personal histories of breast cancer (PHBCs) who carry hereditary cancer gene mutations, have dense breast tissue, or were diagnosed before 50 years of age. In comparison, prior guidelines recommended supplemental MRI only for women with PHBCs who carried hereditary cancer gene mutations. The aim of this study was to quantify the increase in the number of patients with breast cancer for whom supplemental breast MRI would now be recommended.

Feasibility and Impact of Physical Activity on Compassion Fatigue and Burnout Among Ambulatory Care Oncology Nurses.

Background: Compassion fatigue (CF) and burnout are well described phenomena among oncology nurses. Physical activity (PA) has been shown to reduce CF and burnout.

Objectives: The purpose of this pilot study was to determine the feasibility of promoting PA and assessing its impact on CF and burnout among RNs across three ambulatory care cancer clinics.

Efficacy and Safety of Topical Hypericin Photodynamic Therapy for Early-Stage Cutaneous T-Cell Lymphoma (Mycosis Fungoides): The FLASH Phase 3 Randomized Clinical Trial.

Importance: Given that mycosis fungoides-cutaneous T-cell lymphoma (MF/CTCL) is chronic, there is a need for additional therapies with minimal short- and long-term adverse effects. Topical synthetic hypericin ointment, 0.25%, activated with visible light is a novel, nonmutagenic photodynamic therapy (PDT).

Black Women Are Less Likely to Be Classified as High-Risk for Breast Cancer Using the Tyrer-Cuzick 8 Model.

Background: Breast cancer risk assessment is a powerful tool that guides recommendations for supplemental breast cancer screening and genetic counseling. The Tyrer-Cuzick 8 (TC8) model is widely used for calculating breast cancer risk and thus helps determine if women qualify for supplemental screening or genetic counseling. However, the TC8 model may underestimate breast cancer risk in Black women.

A Case of Hepatopulmonary Syndrome as a Complication of Metastatic Breast Cancer to the Liver.

Many patients with metastatic breast cancer develop liver metastases. A rare complication of this is hepatopulmonary syndrome (HPS), which is associated with exertional dyspnea and intrapulmonary shunting. We present a patient who presented with HPS as a consequence of liver metastases and subsequently treated with chemotherapy leading to resolution of her symptoms.

Exploring United States genetic counselor and healthcare interpreter perspectives: Allocation of roles within the genetic counseling encounter.

Genetic counselors (GCs) and healthcare interpreters (HIs) are key members of the healthcare team when providing genetic counseling services to patients with Limited English Proficiency (LEP); however, the working relationship between GCs and HIs and the role each member plays within a genetic counseling session is unclear. Previous studies assessing this relationship have been qualitative and limited in sample size (Agather et al., 2018, Journal of Genetic Counseling, 26, 1388; Krieger et al.

Emotional distress among survivors of adolescent and young adult cancer or adult cancer.

Purpose: We examined emotional distress in cancer survivors diagnosed as adolescents or young adults (AYAs) versus cancer survivors diagnosed as middle/older adults and versus the general population without a history of cancer.

Methods: Using the 2014-2017 National Health Interview Surveys, 2500 AYA survivors (initial cancer diagnosed between aged 15-39 years) were matched with 2500 middle/older adult survivors (initial cancer diagnosed at aged ≥40 years) as well as with 1609 from the general population without a history of cancer. Multinomial logistic regression models estimated the risk of emotional distress (measured using the validated Kessler distress (K6) scale) in the study population (AYA vs.

Real-world utilization and outcomes of docetaxel among older men with metastatic prostate cancer: a retrospective population-based cohort study in Canada.

Background: The adoption of docetaxel for systemic treatment of metastatic prostate cancer (PCa), in both castration-sensitive (mCSPC) and castration-resistant (mCRPC) settings, is poorly understood. This study examined the real-world utilization of docetaxel in these patients and their outcomes.

Methods: A retrospective population-based study used administrative data from Ontario, Canada, to identify men aged ≥66 years who were diagnosed with de novo mCSPC or mCRPC between 2014 and 2019 and received docetaxel.

Updated Outcomes of Split Course Radiotherapy in Elderly or Infirm Patients With Advanced Cancers of the Head and Neck.

Background/aim: Head and neck cancers are often treated with extended courses of radiotherapy (RT), which may prove excessively toxic for frail patients. Split course RT (SCRT) delivers two courses of RT separated by 4-6 weeks, personalizing treatment intensity based on response. In this study, we present our updated experience using this technique.

Preferences in Oncology History Documentation Styles Among Clinical Practitioners.

Purpose: Clinical notes function as the de facto handoff between providers and assume great importance during unplanned medical encounters. An organized and thorough oncology history is essential in care coordination. We sought to understand reader preferences for oncology history organization by comparing between chronologic and narrative formats.

Prognostic Association between Common Laboratory Tests and Overall Survival in Elderly Men with De Novo Metastatic Castration Sensitive Prostate Cancer: A Population-Based Study in Canada.

De novo cases of metastatic prostate cancer (mCSPC) are associated with poorer prognosis. To assist in clinical decision-making, we aimed to determine the prognostic utility of commonly available laboratory-based markers with overall survival (OS). In a retrospective population-based study, a cohort of 3556 men aged ≥66 years diagnosed with de novo mCSPC between 2014 and 2019 was identified in Ontario (Canada) administrative database.

Learnings From Precision Clinical Trial Matching for Oncology Patients Who Received NGS Testing.

Purpose: Tumor next-generation sequencing reports typically generate trial recommendations for patients based on their diagnosis and genomic profile. However, these require additional refinement and prescreening, which can add to physician burden. We wanted to use human prescreening efforts to efficiently refine these trial options and also elucidate the high-value parameters that have a major impact on efficient trial matching.

Framework for planning the delivery of psychosocial oncology services: An American psychosocial oncology society task force report.

Objective: While screening for psychosocial distress is now the standard of care in oncology, little guidance is available on how best to deliver services in response to identified needs. The American Psychosocial Oncology Society (APOS) convened a task force with the goal of creating a framework that could aid in planning services and justifying requests for resources.

Methods: Ten experts from multiple disciplines within psychosocial oncology served on the task force, first meeting together as a larger group over 2 days to set an agenda and then subsequently working in smaller teams to execute the goals.

Mediterranean Diet: Outcomes from an Education Session Among Patients With Cancer and Nursing Staff.

Background: Strong evidence supports the benefits of the Mediterranean diet, but little is reported among patients and nurses regarding knowledge about the diet and its health benefits.

Objectives: A pre-/post-test practice initiative was implemented to identify level of knowledge about the Mediterranean diet in patients with cancer and nursing staff and to provide education about the diet's health benefits.

Methods: A 17-item survey was developed to assess knowledge and willingness to try or recommend the Mediterranean diet, current practices, and general nutrition knowledge.

Interpreters' perceptions of culture bumps in genetic counseling.

Culture bump theory provides a practical and goal-oriented framework for addressing cultural differences that can impact communication and patient care. Differences in language and culture, coupled with a lack of knowledge or competency regarding these differences, often contribute to 'culture bumps' between healthcare providers and patients. Interpreters serve the unique role of 'cultural brokers', going beyond bridging the linguistic divide to close cultural gaps.