Article
Oncology
Mark Dornan, Cherith Semple, Anne Moorhead
Summary: This study explores the experiences and perceptions of social eating and drinking following treatment for head and neck cancer (HNC). The findings reveal that patients with HNC try to maximize enjoyment of social eating by employing psychological and cognitive adaptations to cope with social eating difficulties. However, self-consciousness, lack of understanding from others, and functional issues with eating and drinking are identified as key barriers that limit or diminish social eating for these patients. Therefore, it is crucial to raise awareness of social eating challenges and address the social dimensions of eating through family-centered, supportive holistic interventions early in the patient's cancer journey.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Review
Oncology
Mark Dornan, Cherith Semple, Anne Moorhead, Eilis McCaughan
Summary: Patients living with and beyond head and neck cancer often face long-term functional challenges related to eating and drinking, with losses in social eating affecting psychological well-being. Family and friends play a crucial role in supporting patients to engage in social eating following treatment. Future interventions should focus on promoting family-oriented resources and self-management strategies.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Irma Verdonck-de Leeuw, Camilla Dawson, Lisa Licitra, Jesper Grau Eriksen, Sefik Hosal, Susanne Singer, Dominic P. Laverty, Wojciech Golusinski, Piotr Machczynski, Ana Varges Gomes, Charis Girvalaki, Christian Simon, C. Rene Leemans
Summary: Survivors of head and neck cancer may experience long-term consequences and require support in social, psychological, financial, and emotional aspects in addition to physical symptoms. This review provides recommendations for the long-term management and support needed for survivors of head and neck cancer in the European healthcare setting.
Article
Oncology
Sylvia L. Crowder, Natasha Najam, Kalika P. Sarma, Barbara H. Fiese, Anna E. Arthur
Summary: This qualitative study aimed to understand the experiences and needs of head and neck cancer survivors, revealing that many survivors continue to face various challenges and restrictions in daily living. While survivors generally maintain a positive mindset, they still have unmet needs, highlighting the importance of providing more supportive care services.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Seyedehtanaz Saeidzadeh, Stephanie Gilbertson-White, Catherine H. Cherwin, Heather Schacht Reisinger, Nicholas Kendell, Nitin A. Pagedar, Aaron T. Seaman
Summary: The study identified three approaches that survivors took towards self-management activities: taking charge, living with it, and engaging as needed. Taking charge is when survivors take an active role in evaluating their health and taking action subsequently; living with it reflects adapting to the symptoms and side effects without managing them; and engaging as needed represents engaging in self-management as necessary.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Bethany A. Rhoten, Jessie Sellers, Breanna Baraff, Kelly H. Holler, Sheila H. Ridner
Summary: Patients with recurrent head and neck cancer prioritize healthcare provider recommendations and treatment success in treatment decision-making, future research should focus on rapidly identifying patient priorities at the time of recurrence diagnosis.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Aaron T. Seaman, Kristen L. Seligman, Khanh K. Nguyen, Zaid Al-Qurayshi, Nicholas D. Kendell, Nitin A. Pagedar
Summary: A significant percentage of head and neck cancer survivors discontinue care with their treating institution. Factors associated with discontinuation include demographic and oncologic factors, pointing to potential clinical and care delivery interventions.
Article
Medicine, Research & Experimental
Rebecca W. Gao, Joshua D. Smith, Kelly M. Malloy
Summary: The study indicates that Instagram can provide insight into the survivorship experiences of head and neck cancer patients, with most posts coming from patients discussing medical appointments, treatment effects, symptom management, cancer screening, and prevention. Posts also highlighted specific concerns such as fatigue, postsurgical cosmetic appearance, weight, and nutrition.
Article
Nutrition & Dietetics
Brandy-Joe Milliron, Lora Packel, Dan Dychtwald, Cynthia Klobodu, Laura Pontiggia, Ochi Ogbogu, Byron Barksdale, Jonathan Deutsch
Summary: This study explored the experiences of cancer patients and their family caregivers with nutrition-related cancer treatment side effects. Findings revealed that most patients experienced treatment side effects and these side effects impacted their eating and drinking. Several qualitative themes were identified, including the spiral of side effects, pain of eating, and solutions.
Review
Oncology
Fiona Menger, Nurul Asyiqin Mohammed Halim, Ben Rimmer, Linda Sharp
Summary: Interest in post-traumatic growth after cancer is increasing due to its positive associations with health-related quality of life. Qualitative research provides valuable insight into survivors' experiences, with findings suggesting that positive health behavior changes may occur post-cancer and warrant further exploration in future research.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Grace M. M. Spiro, Philip C. C. Doyle, Nedeljko Jovanovic, Melissa Nash, Kevin Fung, Danielle MacNeil, Anthony Nichols, John Yoo
Summary: This study investigated the degree of perceived fatigue in individuals treated for head and neck cancer (HNCa). Results showed that more than half of the participants reported clinically significant levels of fatigue. There was an inverse relationship between fatigue and overall health-related quality of life, suggesting that as fatigue increases, perceived HRQOL decreases.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
David J. Carpenter, Pranalee Patel, Donna Niedzwiecki, Mairead Dillon, Alexander K. Diaz, Abhishek Kumar, Yvonne M. Mowery, Kerri-Anne Crowell, Rachel D'Anna, Qiuwen Wu, Anna Rodrigues, Amy J. Wisdom, Jennifer A. Dorth, Pretesh R. Patel, Cynthia K. Shortell, David M. Brizel
Summary: The study found that HNC survivors are at high risk for post-RT carotid artery stenosis (CAS), with a dose response effect observed for asymptomatic CAS at doses as low as 10 Gy.
Article
Oncology
Jennifer Dalton, Pamela Rothpletz-Puglia, Joel B. Epstein, Shristi Rawal, Heidi Ganzer, Rebecca Brody, Laura Byham-Gray, Riva Touger-Decker
Summary: This study applied the Social Cognitive Transition (SCT) Model of Adjustment to investigate how head and neck cancer survivors transition in their eating experience, focusing on taste and oral function changes, weight loss concerns, and coping strategies that draw upon social and cultural dimensions. Results show that utilizing cognitive adaptation and coping strategies can support identity transition related to the eating experience following cancer therapy.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2022)
Article
Oncology
Lorna Gurren, Eleanor O'Sullivan, Ivan Keogh, Simon Dunne
Summary: This study investigated the perspectives of healthcare and social care professionals (HSCPs) in national cancer centers in Ireland on the barriers to accessing psycho-oncology for head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. The study identified multiple barriers, including limitations in access and referral, communication barriers, mental health stigma, and inadequate guidance and advertising of existing psycho-oncology services. The findings suggest the need for increased inter-professional dialogue, communication skills training, stigma reduction campaigns, and better signage and training for HSCPs to remove barriers in accessing psycho-oncology services.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2022)
Article
Food Science & Technology
Michail D. Kokkoris, Olga Stavrova
Summary: The meanings people attribute to food, such as social, moral, health, aesthetic, and sacred meanings, have a significant impact on their food consumption behavior. Different food meanings drive different consumption patterns, with social and moral meanings relating to health-conscious behaviors, moral meanings predicting discerning behaviors, aesthetic meanings driving indulgent behaviors, and sacred meanings influencing functional behaviors. Food meaning can serve as a useful framework for understanding and analyzing patterns of food consumption.
FOOD QUALITY AND PREFERENCE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Soha Atallah, Lisa Barbera, Matthew Folwell, Doris Howell, ZhihuiAmy Liu, Jennifer Croke
Summary: The study evaluated the feasibility and acceptability of implementing the EORTC QLQ-CX24 in gynecologic oncology clinics, with positive feedback from patients and oncologists on the use of the questionnaire in clinical encounters.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Doris Howell, Deborah K. Mayer, Richard Fielding, Manuela Eicher, Irma M. Verdonck-de Leeuw, Christoffer Johansen, Enrique Soto-Perez-de-Celis, Claire Foster, Raymond Chan, Catherine M. Alfano, Shawna Hudson, Michael Jefford, Wendy W. T. Lam, Victoria Loerzel, Gabriella Pravettoni, Elke Rammant, Lidia Schapira, Kevin D. Stein, Bogda Koczwara
Summary: This paper highlights the importance of self-management support for cancer patients, emphasizing the need for proactive involvement, changes in care culture, workforce training, establishing patient-reported outcome systems, advancing evidence and expanding access to support programs across care sectors. The integration of self-management support in cancer care is crucial for optimizing health outcomes and improving survival.
JNCI-JOURNAL OF THE NATIONAL CANCER INSTITUTE
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Samantha J. Mayo, Isabel Wozniczka, Sarah Brennenstuhl, Sean B. Rourke, Doris Howell, Kelly A. Metcalfe, Jeffrey H. Lipton
Summary: Survivors of allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation may experience cognitive impairment over time post-treatment, with early identification limited. Longitudinal data analysis revealed overall stability of cognitive outcomes, except for improvements in psychomotor efficiency/processing speed, while poor learning/memory and cognitive complaints persisted. Early cognitive impairment at 100 days post-treatment was associated with impairment at 6 years, suggesting potential for early identification and intervention to mitigate long-term impacts.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Kristen R. Haase, Jonathon Avery, Denise Bryant-Lukosius, Monika Kryzanowska, Vishal Kukretti, Geoffrey Liu, Samantha J. Mayo, Jennifer Jones, Doris Howell
Summary: The study conducted interviews with 16 cancer patients and focus groups with 19 cancer clinicians to develop the I Can Manage Cancer (ICMC) program. The research identified three themes describing specific content and design features for the ICMC program to support self-management needs of people with cancer during the acute phase of treatment, based on patient and clinician perspectives. Overall, the study highlights how specific features and functions within the ICMC can enhance cancer patients' self-management care during treatment.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2021)
Review
Oncology
Kristen R. Haase, Schroder Sattar, Steven Hall, Bianca McLean, Aria Wills, Mikaela Gray, Cindy Kenis, Valentina Donison, Doris Howell, Martine Puts
Summary: This systematic review aimed to determine the effectiveness of self-management interventions for older adults with cancer and identify key components of these interventions. The review found that interventions delivered by multidisciplinary teams, nurses, and mental health professionals were effective in improving outcomes such as Quality of Life for older adults with cancer. Future research should focus on developing explicit pathways to support older adults and their caregivers in cancer self-management processes.
Article
Health Care Sciences & Services
Doris Howell, Melanie Powis, Ryan Kirkby, Heidi Amernic, Lesley Moody, Denise Bryant-Lukosius, Mary Ann O'Brien, Sara Rask, Monika Krzyzanowska
Summary: The study assessed readiness and barriers/enablers for self-management support (SMS) among stakeholders at 3 regional cancer centres in Ontario, Canada, identifying common core implementation strategies across centres and tailored implementation recommendations for each centre. The Consolidated Framework for Implementation Research (CFIR) and CFIR-ERIC were useful tools for tailoring SMS implementation, while the Normalisation Process Theory (NPT) helped clarify the clinical work of implementation, with potential relevance for other studies.
BMJ QUALITY & SAFETY
(2022)
Article
Respiratory System
Doris Howell
Summary: Global health policies prioritize patient engagement in self-management of disease and symptoms, but little attention has been given to self-management support for complex cancer symptoms like breathlessness. Current management of breathlessness is inadequate, highlighting the need for structured, multicomponent support programs.
LUNG CANCER MANAGEMENT
(2021)
Article
Oncology
Doris M. Howell, Kelly Metcalfe, Shiying Kong, Joanne Stephen, Ivo A. Olivotto, Nancy Baxter, Christine M. Friedenreich, Ellen Warner, Mohammed Reza Akbari, Kristine McBain, Steven Narod, May Lynne Quan
Summary: Young women with breast cancer are at risk for psychological morbidity early in diagnosis, especially those with low coping self-efficacy. Factors such as parenting young children, full-time employment, a history of depression, younger children, and higher income are associated with higher rates of anxiety and depression. Coping self-efficacy is protective and is associated with lower risk of psychological morbidity and higher psychosocial well-being.
BREAST CANCER RESEARCH AND TREATMENT
(2022)
Article
Transplantation
Sumaya Dano, Haoyue Helena Lan, Sara Macanovic, Susan Bartlett, Doris Howell, Madeline Li, Janel Hanmer, John Devin Peipert, Marta Novak, Istvan Mucsi
Summary: A two-step screening using ultrabrief pre-screeners followed by the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System Depression questionnaire can effectively identify depressive symptoms in patients on kidney replacement therapies and reduce question burden.
NEPHROLOGY DIALYSIS TRANSPLANTATION
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Camilla Zimmermann, Ashley Pope, Breffni Hannon, Philippe L. Bedard, Gary Rodin, Neesha Dhani, Madeline Li, Leonie Herx, Monika K. Krzyzanowska, Doris Howell, Jennifer J. Knox, Natasha B. Leighl, Srikala Sridhar, Amit M. Oza, Stephanie Lheureux, Christopher M. Booth, Geoffrey Liu, Jacqueline Alcalde Castro, Nadia Swami, Rachel Sue-A-Quan, Anne Rydall, Lisa W. Le
Summary: This study reports preliminary findings of a mixed methods study involving a randomized controlled trial (RCT) of Symptom screening with Targeted Early Palliative care (STEP) and qualitative interviews. The results showed that STEP was more effective in providing palliative care and improving patient-reported outcomes of quality of life, symptom control, and satisfaction with care compared to usual care.
SUPPORTIVE CARE IN CANCER
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Doris Howell, Patrick McGowan, Denise Bryant-Lukosius, Ryan Kirkby, Melanie Powis, Diana Sherifali, Vishal Kukreti, Sara Rask, Monica K. Krzyzanowska
Summary: This paper describes a training program that improved oncology nurses' confidence in providing self-management support to cancer patients. However, further testing in a larger population of nurses is needed to evaluate its effects on nurses' skills and patient outcomes.
Review
Health Care Sciences & Services
Saeed Moradian, Roma Maguire, Geoffrey Liu, Monika K. Krzyzanowska, Marcus Butler, Chantal Cheung, Marisa Signorile, Nancy Gregorio, Shiva Ghasemi, Doris Howell
Summary: Advances in cancer treatment have led to longer survival for patients, but they still face physical and psychological symptoms. This systematic review aims to assess the effectiveness of eHealth interventions in supporting cancer patients in managing symptoms and improving their quality of life.
JMIR RESEARCH PROTOCOLS
(2023)
Article
Oncology
Doris Howell, Denise Bryant Lukosius, Jonathan Avery, Athina Santaguida, Melanie Powis, Tina Papadakos, Vincenzo Addario, Mike Lovas, Vishal Kukreti, Kristen Haase, Samantha J. Mayo, Janet Papadakos, Saeed Moradian, Monika K. Krzyzanowska
Summary: This study aimed to develop and test a web-based cancer self-management program called I-Can Manage. Through a user-centered co-design process involving patients and other knowledge end users, the program was developed based on qualitative interviews, focus groups, and usability testing. Results suggest that the I-Can Manage program has the potential to activate patients in self-management of cancer and treatment toxicities.
Article
Oncology
Kristen R. Haase, Schroder Sattar, Sandeep Dhillon, Heather M. Kilgour, Jennifer Pesut, Doris Howell, John L. Oliffe
Summary: This study explored the factors that supported and hindered cancer self-management for older Canadian adults living with cancer. The findings revealed that older adults faced challenges in managing their cancer treatment and appointments, but financial barriers were not a major concern. Factors such as health system and personal challenges impacted self-management, while access to interpersonal support and a positive mindset facilitated effective self-management.
Review
Oncology
Corina J. G. van den Hurk, Floortje Mols, Manuela Eicher, Raymond J. Chan, Annemarie Becker, Gijs Geleijnse, Iris Walraven, Annemarie Coolbrandt, Maryam Lustberg, Galina Velikova, Andreas Charalambous, Bogda Koczwara, Doris Howell, Ethan M. Basch, Lonneke V. van de Poll-franse
Summary: Electronic patient-reported outcome (ePRO) applications have great potential in improving cancer survivorship care by collecting and utilizing patient-reported data. ePRO-symptom monitoring can help in timely detection of health risks and enable earlier intervention. However, there are challenges in implementing ePRO and ethical considerations to address.
Article
Oncology
Diomidis Antoniadis, Alexander Giakoustidis, Vasileios Papadopoulos, Konstantinos N. Fountoulakis, Maggie Watson
Summary: The purpose of this study was to investigate the relationships between distress, psychological adjustment, and quality of life in patients with colon cancer. The results showed that quality of life was positively correlated with fighting spirit, cognitive avoidance, and fatalism, and negatively correlated with helplessness and hopelessness, and anxious preoccupation.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2024)
Article
Oncology
Irem Gul, Ismail Toygar, Oznur Usta Yesilbalkan
Summary: This study investigated the support needs of carers of cancer patients and how the patient's age and cancer type affect their needs. The study found that carers of older adults and patients with hematological malignancies require more support in various aspects of caregiving.
EUROPEAN JOURNAL OF ONCOLOGY NURSING
(2024)
