Physical late effects of treatment among survivors of childhood cancer in low- and middle-income countries: a systematic review
ConclusionsSubstantial knowledge gaps exist in LMIC childhood cancer survivorship. No low-income country data were found. In middle-income countries, late effects were defined and assessed variably and limited by selection bias and small sample sizes.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsSurvivors in LMICs can experience physical late effects of treatment, though additionally systematically collected data from survivor cohorts are needed to fill knowledge gaps. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - January 6, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Survivorship outcomes in patients treated with immune checkpoint inhibitors: a scoping review
ConclusionThe survivors treated with ICIs have impairments in most survivorship domains. Further research is needed to gather data on the understudied survivorship outcomes like late and long-term effects, fertility, financial toxicity, and return to work in survivors treated with ICIs.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsAvailable evidence demonstrates that a significant portion of survivors treated with ICIs have a significant toxicity burden, lower QoL than the general population, and a high rate of psychosocial problems. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - January 4, 2024 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Prevalence, reasons for use, perceived benefits, and awareness of health risks of cannabis use among cancer survivors – implications for policy and interventions
ConclusionPrevalence of cannabis use among survivors was notable, with most reporting a great degree of symptomatic improvement for the specified reason for use. However, only a few were aware of the health risks of cannabis use during cancer management.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsWith more cancer survivors using cannabis as a palliative in managing their cancer-related symptoms, future guidelines and policies on cannabis use in cancer management should incorporate cannabis-based interventions to minimize the inadvertent harm from cannabis use during cancer treatment among survivors. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 29, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
To understand the experiences, needs, and preferences for supportive care, among children and adolescents (0 –19 years) diagnosed with cancer: a systematic review of qualitative studies
ConclusionsChildren and adolescent who are diagnosed with cancer are a unique and understudied group in oncological survivorship research, with the slowest progress in improvement of care over time. This review will facilitate the development of future interventions and promote the importance of tailored support for children and adolescents at all stages of the cancer journey.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsChildren and adolescents continue to experience a range of difficulties despite routine contact with cancer healthcare professionals. Children and adolescents should be carefully assessed about their individual circums...
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 27, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Development of a novel cancer survivorship database to describe health care utilization patterns for Coloradans who have completed primary cancer treatment
ConclusionsCreating and analyzing a comprehensive database of individuals who have completed active cancer treatment may highlight gaps in care within complex health care systems. Engaging different stakeholders to address these issues may help improve and enhance systematic population management for cancer survivors.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsCompleted treatment summary care plans may be used to increase the completion of individual health maintenance recommendations and potentially population health maintenance recommendations. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 23, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Multiple myeloma in people of working age in Czechia, Germany, and Poland: findings from a qualitative interview study
ConclusionWhile experiences varied between countries, common across accounts was a struggle to balance ongoing treatments with employment, at a time when participants were expected to finance their own households and maintain their income and roles.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsTo improve quality of life, clinical discussions around treatment decision-making should take into account patients ’ attitudes/approach to work, type of work engaged in, and other activities considered important to them. European Union and national cancer plans should set out optimum standards for employers, to ensure an equitable benchmark fo...
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 20, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Return to work after cancer –the impact of working conditions: A Norwegian Register-based Study
ConclusionsMale cancer survivors in physically demanding occupations have an increased risk of reduced employment after being diagnosed with cancer, whereas this is not the case for female cancer survivors. Psychosocial exposures do not impact the relative risk of reduced employment over time.Implications for cancer survivorsWe suggest that return to work after cancer should be considered a process rather than only the re-entry step of resuming work. Thus, it is important to provide long-term support for cancer survivors. We recommend providing more attention to working conditions, particularly in occupations that involve ...
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 20, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Silent suffering: the impact of sexual health challenges on patient-clinician communication and adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy among Black women with early-stage breast cancer
ConclusionsAdverse sexual symptoms and poor patient-clinician communication about sexual health contribute to lower AET adherence among Black women with early-stage breast cancer. New interventions using peer support models and female clinicians trained to discuss sexual health could ameliorate communication barriers and improve treatment adherence.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsBlack women with early-stage breast cancer in the U.S. Mid-South may require additional resources to address sociocultural and psychosocial implications of cancer survivorship to enable candid discussions with oncologists. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 19, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Health-related quality of life among prostate cancer survivors with metastatic disease and non-metastatic disease and men without a cancer history in the USA
ConclusionInterventions to improve health-related quality of life for men diagnosed with metastatic prostate cancer merit additional investigation.Implications for cancer survivorsInterventions to improve health-related quality of life for metastatic prostate cancer survivors merit additional investigation. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 16, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Longitudinal trajectories of depression and quality of life in a cohort of cancer survivors and individuals without cancer in Europe
ConclusionsAlthough depression and QoL trajectories did not differ between cancer survivors and individuals without cancer, more cancer survivors were characterized by high-depression and low-QoL life trajectories.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsProviders should be aware and screen for cancer survivors with elevated depression and low QoL, and promote relevant psychosocial interventions. Modifiable factors associated with depression and QoL can be targets for cancer survivors’ long-term care plans. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 14, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
The ENGAGE study: evaluation of a conversational virtual agent that provides tailored pre-test genetic education to cancer patients
ConclusionsThe 51 patients who adopted the AI application were highly satisfied with its usability and convenience. Our results support the continued evaluation of this cost-effective AI application in a large-scale study.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsTailored pre-test genetic education can be successfully delivered to patients with cancer undergoing active treatment via an AI application at their convenience. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 8, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
From active treatment to surveillance: how the barriers and facilitators of implementing survivorship care planning could be an opportunity for telehealth in oncology care for rural patients
ConclusionsOur results suggest that telehealth has the potential to augment the delivery of survivorship care planning; however, key technical and logistical concerns need to be addressed, particularly enhanced coordination across clinician scheduling and ensuring payment parity for various telehealth implementation strategies.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsCancer survivorship care planning is a recognized yet underutilized aspect of care delivery. There is an opportunity for the application of telehealth for supportive care in survivorship care planning, which should be a focus of further research. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 8, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Development of machine learning models to predict cancer-related fatigue in Dutch breast cancer survivors up to 15 years after diagnosis
ConclusionFatigue (GP-reported or patient-reported) could not be predicted accurately using available data of the PSCCR and PSCCR-PROFILES datasets.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsCRF is a common but underreported problem after breast cancer. We aimed to develop a model that could identify individuals with a high risk of developing CRF, ideally to help them prevent (chronic) CRF. As our models had poor predictive abilities, they cannot be used for this purpose yet. Adding patient-reported data as predictor could lead to improved results. Until then, awareness for CRF stays crucial. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 7, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Children with cancer and their cardiorespiratory fitness and physical function —the long-term effects of a physical activity program during treatment: a multicenter non-randomized controlled trial
ConclusionsPeer-supported, supervised, in-hospital physical activity during treatment may improve cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength 1-year post-treatment in children with cancer; however, survivors continue to have lower cardiorespiratory fitness than community controls.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsChildren with cancer may benefit from in-hospital physical activity in improving long-term cardiorespiratory fitness and muscle strength. (Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship)
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 6, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
Healthcare experiences among Black and White sexual and gender minority cancer survivors: a qualitative study
ConclusionsProviders across specialties can address barriers for SGM patients by not making assumptions about patient sexual orientation or gender identity. Institutions should systematically collect sexual orientation and gender identity information. Primary care providers should be aware that due to resistance to switching from trusted providers, they may need to take greater initiative to facilitate cancer screenings for their patients when appropriate or take special care when making referrals to ensure they are using SGM-affirming providers.Implications for Cancer SurvivorsSGM cancer survivors often benefit from a cul...
Source: Journal of Cancer Survivorship - December 5, 2023 Category: Cancer & Oncology Source Type: research
