Cancer survivors with self-reported late effects: their health status, care needs and service utilisation

Cognitive functions of patients treated with chemotherapy: A comparative study

OBJECTIVES

Chemobrain is a well-established clinical syndrome that has become an increasing concern because of the growing number of long-term cancer survivors. It refers to the post-chemotherapy related cognitive dysfunction. The aim of this study was to objectively assess the impact of cancer treatment on the cognition of cancer patients.

METHODS

This was a convenience sample comparative study conducted at the Hematology and Oncology Department of Hôtel Dieu de France University Hospital in Beirut, Lebanon. It included cancer patients (G1) aged under 65 years who had already been treated for cancer compared to two control groups. The first control group (G2) consisted of treatment-naïve cancer patients aged under 65, and the second group (G3) was recruited from a pool of healthy controls aged between 40 and 65 years. All participants were asked to complete the part B of the trail making test (TMT) and the digital symbolic substitution test (DSST).

RESULTS

In the bivariate analysis, patients in G1 had significantly higher scores than patients in G2 (P=0.017) and G3 (P<0.001) on the TMT-B. However, patients in G1 only had lower scores on DSST when compared with G3 (P=0.017). In the logistic regression taking different groups two-by-two as the dependent variable, the only significant difference was found in the comparison between G2 and G3 with higher TMT-B scores more in favor of belonging to G2 (OR=0.946; P=0.003).

CONCLUSIONS

Our results suggest that, after controlling for anxiety and depression symptoms, patients treated with chemotherapy have significantly poorer outcomes on the DSST and TMT-B than treatment-naïve cancer patients and healthy controls. However, when taking confounding factors into account, the difference only persisted between patients undergoing chemotherapy and healthy controls. These findings are in favor of a multifactor cognitive impairment in patients with cancer partially related to chemotherapeutic treatment.

Social inequality in cancer survivorship: Educational differences in health-related quality of life among 27,857 cancer survivors in Denmark

BACKGROUND

With a growing population of cancer survivors in Denmark, the evaluation of health-related quality of life (HRQoL) has become increasingly important. We describe variations in HRQoL between educational groups in a national population of cancer survivors.

METHODS

We conducted a cross-sectional questionnaire study among breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer survivors diagnosed in 2010-2019 in Denmark. We used the EORTC QLQ-C30 to assess HRQoL including physical, role, emotional, cognitive, social functioning, and symptoms (fatigue, nausea and vomiting, pain, dyspnea, insomnia, appetite loss, constipation, diarrhea, and financial difficulties). Information on educational level and clinical data were extracted from national registers and clinical databases. Levels of impaired functioning and severe symptoms were identified using newly established thresholds for clinical importance. Multivariate logistic regression was used to examine associations between education and HRQoL. All statistical tests were 2-sided.

RESULTS

In total, 27,857 (42%) participated in the study. Up to 72% and 75% of cancer survivors with short education (≤9 years) reported impaired functioning and severe symptoms, respectively. Cancer survivors with short compared to long education (>12 years) were more likely to report impaired functioning and severe symptoms, with for example significantly higher odds ratios (ORs) for impaired physical function (breast OR = 2.41, 99% CI = 2.01-2.89; prostate OR = 1.81, 99% CI = 1.48-2.21; lung OR = 2.97, 99% CI = 1.95-4.57; and colon cancer OR = 1.69, 99% CI = 1.28-2.24).

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivors with short education are at greater risk of impaired HRQoL than survivors with long education 2-12 years after diagnosis. This underscores the need for systematic screening and symptom management in cancer aftercare, in order to reach all cancer survivors, also cancer survivors with short education.

Educational differences in healthcare use among survivors after breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer - a SEQUEL cohort study

BACKGROUND

Many cancer survivors experience late effects after cancer. Comorbidity, health literacy, late effects, and help-seeking behavior may affect healthcare use and may differ among socioeconomic groups. We examined healthcare use among cancer survivors, compared with cancer-free individuals, and investigated educational differences in healthcare use among cancer survivors.

METHODS

A Danish cohort of 127,472 breast, prostate, lung, and colon cancer survivors from the national cancer databases, and 637,258 age- and sex-matched cancer-free individuals was established. Date of entry was 12 months after diagnosis/index date (for cancer-free individuals). Follow-up ended at death, emigration, new primary cancer, December 31st, 2018, or up to 10 years. Information about education and healthcare use, defined as the number of consultations with general practitioner (GP), private practicing specialists (PPS), hospital, and acute healthcare contacts 1-9 years after diagnosis/index date, was extracted from national registers. We used Poisson regression models to compare healthcare use between cancer survivors and cancer-free individuals, and to investigate the association between education and healthcare use among cancer survivors.

RESULTS

Cancer survivors had more GP, hospital, and acute healthcare contacts than cancer-free individuals, while the use of PPS were alike. One-to-four-year survivors with short compared to long education had more GP consultations (breast, rate ratios (RR) = 1.28, 95% CI = 1.25-1.30; prostate, RR = 1.14, 95% CI = 1.10-1.18; lung, RR = 1.18, 95% CI = 1.13-1.23; and colon cancer, RR = 1.17, 95% CI = 1.13-1.22) and acute contacts (breast, RR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.26-1.45; prostate, RR = 1.26, 95% CI = 1.15-1.38; lung, RR = 1.24, 95% CI = 1.16-1.33; and colon cancer, RR = 1.35, 95% CI = 1.14-1.60), even after adjusting for comorbidity. One-to-four-year survivors with short compared to long education had less consultations with PPS, while no association was observed for hospital contacts.

CONCLUSION

Cancer survivors used more healthcare than cancer-free individuals. Cancer survivors with short education had more GP and acute healthcare contacts than survivors with long education. To optimize healthcare use after cancer, we need to better understand survivors' healthcare-seeking behaviors and their specific needs, especially among survivors with short education.

Measuring female breast cancer survivors' concerns about late effects of treatment: initial development of the Concerns about Late Effects in Oncology Questionnaire (CLEO)

PURPOSE

While an increasing number of women are surviving breast cancer, survivors remain at risk of developing late effects. Late effects are long-term side effects which may emerge months to years after completing active treatment. Survivors may experience chronic worry and concern about the unpredictable and debilitating nature of late effects. This qualitative study aimed to explore the content validity of items included in the first patient-reported outcome measure (PROM) to quantify survivors' concerns about late effects: the Concerns about Late Effects in Oncology Questionnaire (CLEO).

METHOD

Items included in the CLEO were informed by a literature review and consultation with expert stakeholders. Breast cancer survivors completed "think aloud" interviews to explore the perceived acceptability, relevance, clarity, and feasibility of the CLEO. Interviews were transcribed verbatim and analyzed using framework analysis.

RESULTS

Twenty-eight participants were interviewed. Participants indicated the CLEO was acceptable, relevant to women's experiences of late effects, and easy to use and understand. Of the 55 proposed items, participants endorsed 33 items across six domains and suggested to include one additional item.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings suggest the CLEO captured concerns relevant to breast cancer survivors and provides initial validation of items for inclusion in the CLEO. The CLEO may improve communication about late effects in clinical settings and prompt future research into evidence-based interventions for survivors. Future research should assess the relevance of the CLEO items to other cancer populations. The psychometric properties of the CLEO will be evaluated in future stages of questionnaire development.

The untold story of late effects: a qualitative analysis of breast cancer survivors' emotional responses to late effects

PURPOSE

Breast cancer survivors are at increased risk of adverse outcomes, called late effects, years after the completion of active treatment. Late effects can significantly impair physical functioning. The current study aimed to explore breast cancer survivors' experiences of late effects, their emotional responses to existing or potential late effects and their perceived impact.

METHODS

A total of 36 women treated for breast cancer in the last 10 years participated in semi-structured telephone interviews. Participant views were sought with respect to knowledge, experience, and perceived longer-term risk. A thematic analysis was conducted.

RESULTS

Four themes emerged from the data: (1) late effects awareness, (2) framing and coping, (3) uncertainty and (4) management. There was a range of emotional responses to late effects; however, many participants reported being unaware of their risk of late effects. Participants conceptualised late effects as any long-term effect of treatment regardless of the time of onset. Women reported living with constant uncertainty and feared cancer recurrence. Many were focused on managing long-term treatment side effects, rather than late effects.

CONCLUSION

Many women undergo treatment and remain unaware of associated late effect risks. National guidelines recommend patients be informed about late effects; however, the results of this study suggest a gap between policy and practice. Evidence-based interventions are needed to equip women with strategies to physically and emotionally manage late effects.

Adolescent and Young Adult Perspectives on Challenges and Improvements to Cancer Survivorship Care: How Are We Doing?

Purpose: The purpose was to review main challenges experienced by adolescent and young adult (AYA) cancer survivors (18-34 years) during transition to survivorship and their suggestions regarding improvements needed in care. Methods: A national survey was conducted to identify experiences with follow-up care 1-3 years after cancer treatment. The survey included open-ended questions for respondents to add topics of importance and details for deeper insight. This study presents analysis of open-ended questions about main challenge faced by AYA respondents and their suggestions for improvements in care. Results: Of 575 AYA survey respondents, 497 (86.4%) commented regarding main challenges. Twenty-one indicated that they had no challenges. Of those reporting challenges, 209 (43.9%) named one challenge, 267 (56.1%) identified more than one. In total, 955 challenges were identified with the most frequently cited being physical (n = 462, 48.4%) and psychological (n = 234, 24.5%). A total of 391 survivors wrote 679 suggestions about improvements in care with the majority (n = 248, 69.4%) offering more than one. The most frequently cited suggestions included information/communication (n = 191, 29.8%), naming a range of topics for which information was desired, and access to post-treatment therapies/services (n = 164, 25.5%) such as counseling, physiotherapy, and occupational therapy. The overarching theme was, "I need follow-up care that fits me." Conclusions: AYA cancer survivors are diverse and face unique challenges following treatment, which can have life-long implications and impede their recovery. Personalized follow-up care is highly recommended by these survivors.

Psychostimulants for cancer-related cognitive impairment in adult cancer survivors: a systematic review and meta-analysis

BACKGROUND

Cognitive impairment is recognized as a common symptom experienced by cancer survivors which impacts on quality of life (QoL) and day-to-day activities. One of the treatment options is the use of psychostimulants but the evidence supporting its use remains unclear.

OBJECTIVES

To identify the level of evidence of psychostimulants' effect on the management of cognitive impairment in adult cancer survivors.

METHODS

Electronic databases (MEDLINE, EMBASE, CENTRAL, CINAHL) and reference lists of relevant reviews were searched from inception to December 2017, with no language restrictions applied. Randomized controlled trials (RCTs), evaluating the effect of psychostimulants on cognitive impairment among cancer patients with no primary or secondary brain tumor or brain radiation, were included. The primary outcome was cognitive function changes, whereas secondary outcomes were adverse events (AEs) and QoL.

RESULTS

Six RCTs were included: three studies investigating methylphenidate and three modafinil, with a total of 244 and 146 patients, respectively. Due to important differences in methodologies between studies, a meta-analysis was assumed inappropriate for the primary outcome. A narrative synthesis was performed. One study using methylphenidate and two using modafinil demonstrated improvements in some cognitive functions as measured by objective cognitive assessment tests. Psychostimulants did not improve QoL and were not associated with more AEs.

CONCLUSION

To date, limited evidence is available to estimate the usefulness (or lack) of psychostimulants on cognitive function in this population.

Late breast cancer treatment-related symptoms and functioning: associations with physical activity adoption and maintenance during a lifestyle intervention for rural survivors

PURPOSE

Physical activity may be difficult for survivors with poorer functioning following primary treatment. The study examined whether late symptoms of breast cancer treatment impact PA adoption (0-6 months) and maintenance (6-18 months) during a weight management intervention, and whether late symptoms influence PA when accounting for overall functioning.

METHODS

Secondary analyses were conducted using a sample of survivors participating in a weight management intervention and who provided valid weight and accelerometer data at baseline and 6 months (N = 176). The Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist (BCPT) assessed late treatment-related symptoms. SF-12 Physical Component Scale (PCS) and Mental Component Scale (MCS) scores assessed functioning.

RESULTS

Change in bouted moderate to vigorous physical activity (MVPA) min/week from baseline to 6 months was not associated with BCPT scales (all p values > 0.05). When adding SF-12 scores to the model, change in bouted MVPA min/week was significantly associated with the PCS (p = 0.045). Change in MVPA min/week from 6 to 18 months was significantly associated with cognitive symptoms (p = 0.004), but not musculoskeletal or vasomotor symptoms (p values > 0.05). When adding 6-month SF-12 scores to the model, MVPA min/week was significantly associated with PCS (p = 0.001) and MCS (p = 0.028); however, BCPT cognitive problems score became non-significant (p > 0.05).

CONCLUSIONS

Poorer physical functioning was associated with lower PA adoption, and poorer mental and physical functioning was associated with lower maintenance of PA, while late symptoms generally were not. Interventionists should consider level of functioning when identifying individual PA goals during weight management interventions.

Non-pharmacological interventions for cognitive impairment due to systemic cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

It is estimated that up to 75% of cancer survivors may experience cognitive impairment as a result of cancer treatment and given the increasing size of the cancer survivor population, the number of affected people is set to rise considerably in coming years. There is a need, therefore, to identify effective, non-pharmacological interventions for maintaining cognitive function or ameliorating cognitive impairment among people with a previous cancer diagnosis.

OBJECTIVES

To evaluate the cognitive effects, non-cognitive effects, duration and safety of non-pharmacological interventions among cancer patients targeted at maintaining cognitive function or ameliorating cognitive impairment as a result of cancer or receipt of systemic cancer treatment (i.e. chemotherapy or hormonal therapies in isolation or combination with other treatments).

SEARCH METHODS

We searched the Cochrane Centre Register of Controlled Trials (CENTRAL), MEDLINE, Embase, PUBMED, Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) and PsycINFO databases. We also searched registries of ongoing trials and grey literature including theses, dissertations and conference proceedings. Searches were conducted for articles published from 1980 to 29 September 2015.

SELECTION CRITERIA

Randomised controlled trials (RCTs) of non-pharmacological interventions to improve cognitive impairment or to maintain cognitive functioning among survivors of adult-onset cancers who have completed systemic cancer therapy (in isolation or combination with other treatments) were eligible. Studies among individuals continuing to receive hormonal therapy were included. We excluded interventions targeted at cancer survivors with central nervous system (CNS) tumours or metastases, non-melanoma skin cancer or those who had received cranial radiation or, were from nursing or care home settings. Language restrictions were not applied.

DATA COLLECTION AND ANALYSIS

Author pairs independently screened, selected, extracted data and rated the risk of bias of studies. We were unable to conduct planned meta-analyses due to heterogeneity in the type of interventions and outcomes, with the exception of compensatory strategy training interventions for which we pooled data for mental and physical well-being outcomes. We report a narrative synthesis of intervention effectiveness for other outcomes.

MAIN RESULTS

Five RCTs describing six interventions (comprising a total of 235 participants) met the eligibility criteria for the review. Two trials of computer-assisted cognitive training interventions (n = 100), two of compensatory strategy training interventions (n = 95), one of meditation (n = 47) and one of physical activity intervention (n = 19) were identified. Each study focused on breast cancer survivors. All five studies were rated as having a high risk of bias. Data for our primary outcome of interest, cognitive function were not amenable to being pooled statistically. Cognitive training demonstrated beneficial effects on objectively assessed cognitive function (including processing speed, executive functions, cognitive flexibility, language, delayed- and immediate- memory), subjectively reported cognitive function and mental well-being. Compensatory strategy training demonstrated improvements on objectively assessed delayed-, immediate- and verbal-memory, self-reported cognitive function and spiritual quality of life (QoL). The meta-analyses of two RCTs (95 participants) did not show a beneficial effect from compensatory strategy training on physical well-being immediately (standardised mean difference (SMD) 0.12, 95% confidence interval (CI) -0.59 to 0.83; I(2)= 67%) or two months post-intervention (SMD - 0.21, 95% CI -0.89 to 0.47; I(2) = 63%) or on mental well-being two months post-intervention (SMD -0.38, 95% CI -1.10 to 0.34; I(2) = 67%). Lower mental well-being immediately post-intervention appeared to be observed in patients who received compensatory strategy training compared to wait-list controls (SMD -0.57, 95% CI -0.98 to -0.16; I(2) = 0%). We assessed the assembled studies using GRADE for physical and mental health outcomes and this evidence was rated to be low quality and, therefore findings should be interpreted with caution. Evidence for physical activity and meditation interventions on cognitive outcomes is unclear.

AUTHORS' CONCLUSIONS

Overall, the, albeit low-quality evidence may be interpreted to suggest that non-pharmacological interventions may have the potential to reduce the risk of, or ameliorate, cognitive impairment following systemic cancer treatment. Larger, multi-site studies including an appropriate, active attentional control group, as well as consideration of functional outcomes (e.g. activities of daily living) are required in order to come to firmer conclusions about the benefits or otherwise of this intervention approach. There is also a need to conduct research into cognitive impairment among cancer patient groups other than women with breast cancer.

Optimism and Spontaneous Self-affirmation are Associated with Lower Likelihood of Cognitive Impairment and Greater Positive Affect among Cancer Survivors

BACKGROUND

Optimism and self-affirmation promote adaptive coping, goal achievement, and better health.

PURPOSE

The aim of this study is to examine the associations of optimism and spontaneous self-affirmation (SSA) with physical, mental, and cognitive health and information seeking among cancer survivors.

METHODS

Cancer survivors (n = 326) completed the Health Information National Trends Survey 2013, a national survey of US adults. Participants reported optimism, SSA, cognitive and physical impairment, affect, health status, and information seeking.

RESULTS

Participants higher in optimism reported better health on nearly all indices examined, even when controlling for SSA. Participants higher in SSA reported lower likelihood of cognitive impairment, greater happiness and hopefulness, and greater likelihood of cancer information seeking. SSA remained significantly associated with greater hopefulness and cancer information seeking when controlling for optimism.

CONCLUSIONS

Optimism and SSA may be associated with beneficial health-related outcomes among cancer survivors. Given the demonstrated malleability of self-affirmation, these findings represent important avenues for future research.

Self-reported endocrine late effects in adults treated for brain tumours, Hodgkin and non-Hodgkin lymphoma: a registry based study in Northern Germany

OBJECTIVE

Due to the increasing success and survival rates in the primary treatment of malignancies derived from the CNS as well as the hematopoietic system, endocrine late effects of cancer and its therapy are of growing importance. Despite evaluation of these late effects in patients treated for cancer in childhood, the impact on adults remains largely unclear.

METHODS

1035 adult patients primarily diagnosed with a CNS malignancy, a Hodgkin (HL) or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) between 1998 and 2008 were recruited via the regional epidemiological cancer registry covering ∼ 2.8 million inhabitants in the federal state of Schleswig-Holstein, Northern Germany. The prevalence of endocrine disorders and current psychosocial impairment was assessed employing several questionnaires (SF-36v1, WHO-5).

RESULTS

Fully completed questionnaires of 558 patients were available for subsequent analysis showing markedly reduced overall performance and psychological status when compared to German reference data. Thyroid disorders were reported in 16.3% of patients with 10.4% suffering from hypo- and 5.9% from hyperthyroidism. Overall, 17.6% stated to be affected by diabetes mellitus with an increased rate of 21.1% among NHL patients and 11.5% of participants were affected by osteoporosis.

CONCLUSION

Compared to German population based studies on the prevalence of diabetes mellitus, osteoporosis and thyroid disorders the frequency of all these endocrine problems was significantly increased in CNS, HL, and NHL cancer survivors. These data confirm that not only children and adolescents but also adult cancer patients are at risk for therapy associated endocrine late effects.

Late effects of cancer and cancer treatment--the perspective of the patient

PURPOSE

Understanding the experience of late effects from the perspective of cancer survivors is essential to inform patient-centred care. This study investigated the nature and onset of late effects experienced by survivors and the manner in which late effects have affected their lives.

METHODS

Sixteen purposively selected cancer survivors participated in a qualitative interview study. The data were analysed inductively using a narrative schema in order to derive the main themes that characterised patients' accounts of late effects.

RESULTS

Individual survivors tended to experience more than one late effect spanning a range of physical and psychological effects. Late effects impacted on relationships, working life, finances and the ability to undertake daily activities. Survivors reported experiencing psychological late effects from around the end of treatment whereas the onset of physical effects occurred later during the post-treatment period. Late effects were managed using formal health services, informal social support and use of 'wellbeing strategies'. Survivors engaged in a process of searching for reasons for experiencing late effects and struggled to make sense of their situation. In particular, a process of 'peer-patient comparison' was used by survivors to help them make sense of, or cope with, their late effects. There appeared to be an association between personal disposition and adaptation and adjustment to the impact of late effects.

CONCLUSIONS

Cancer survivors identified potential components for supported self-management or intervention programmes, as well as important considerations in terms of peer comparisons, personal disposition and making sense of experienced late effects.

Affective science perspectives on cancer control: strategically crafting a mutually beneficial research agenda

Cancer control research involves the conduct of basic and applied behavioral and social sciences to reduce cancer incidence, morbidity, and mortality and improve quality of life. Given the importance of behavior in cancer control, fundamental research is necessary to identify psychological mechanisms underlying cancer risk, prevention, and management behaviors. Cancer prevention, diagnosis, and treatment are often emotionally laden. As such, affective science research to elucidate questions related to the basic phenomenological nature of emotion, stress, and mood is necessary to understand how cancer control can be hindered or facilitated by emotional experiences. To date, the intersection of basic affective science research and cancer control remains largely unexplored. The goal of this article is to outline key questions in the cancer control research domain that provide an ecologically valid context for new affective science discoveries. We also provide examples of ways in which basic affective discoveries could inform future cancer prevention and control research. These examples are not meant to be exhaustive or prescriptive but instead are offered to generate creative thought about the promise of a cancer research context for answering basic affective science questions. Together, these examples provide a compelling argument for fostering collaborations between affective and cancer control scientists.

Cured of primary bone cancer, but at what cost: a qualitative study of functional impairment and lost opportunities

Purpose. Our study aims to explore how former cancer patients experience physical and psychosocial late effects 3–7 years after they underwent treatment for primary bone sarcoma in the hip/pelvic region. A qualitative, phenomenological, and hermeneutic design was applied. Methods. Sarcoma survivors (n = 10) previously treated at Oslo University Hospital, Norwegian Radium Hospital were selected to participate. In-depth and semistructured interviews were conducted. The interviews were analysed using inductive thematic analysis. Results. The participants reported that the late effects had three core spheres of impact: “their current daily life,” “their future opportunities,” and “their identity.” They expressed negative changes in activity, increased dependence on others, and exclusion from participation in different areas. Their daily life, work, sports activities, and social life were all affected. Several of their experiences are similar to those described by people with functional impairment or disability. Conclusion. Patients cured of bone cancer in the hip/pelvic region pay a significant price in terms of functional impairment, practical challenges, exclusion from important aspects of life, and loss of previous identity. It is important to appreciate this in order to help bone cancer survivors who struggle to reorient their life and build a secure new identity.

A methodological review of the Short Form Health Survey 36 (SF-36) and its derivatives among breast cancer survivors

PURPOSE

A systematic review of the validity, reliability and sensitivity of the Short Form (SF) health survey measures among breast cancer survivors.

METHODS

We searched a number of databases for peer-reviewed papers. The methodological quality of the papers was assessed using the COnsenus-based Standards for the selection of health Measurement INstruments (COSMIN).

RESULTS

The review identified seven papers that assessed the psychometric properties of the SF-36 (n = 5), partial SF-36 (n = 1) and SF-12 (n = 1) among breast cancer survivors. Internal consistency scores for the SF measures ranged from acceptable to good across a range of language and ethnic sub-groups. The SF-36 demonstrated good convergent validity with respective subscales of the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General scale and two lymphedema-specific measures. Divergent validity between the SF-36 and Lymph-ICF was modest. The SF-36 demonstrated good factor structure in the total breast cancer survivor study samples. However, the factor structure appeared to differ between specific language and ethnic sub-groups. The SF-36 discriminated between survivors who reported or did not report symptoms on the Breast Cancer Prevention Trial Symptom Checklist and SF-36 physical sub-scales, but not mental sub-scales, discriminated between survivors with or without lymphedema. Methodological quality scores varied between and within papers.

CONCLUSION

Short Form measures appear to provide a reliable and valid indication of general health status among breast cancer survivors though the limited data suggests that particular caution is required when interpreting scores provided by non-English language groups. Further research is required to test the sensitivity or responsiveness of the measure.