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Striving towards normality in an unpredictable situation. A qualitative interview study of how persons newly diagnosed with incurable oesophageal and gastric cancer manage everyday life. Eur J Oncol Nurs 2023; 63:102302. [PMID: 36893571 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2023.102302] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/19/2023] [Indexed: 02/22/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE Getting an incurable oesophageal or gastric cancer diagnosis is a major stressful life event associated with severe physical, psychosocial and existential challenges. To provide timely and efficient support, based on patients' experiences, the aim of the study was to explore how patients newly diagnosed with incurable oesophageal and gastric cancer manage everyday life. METHOD Semi-structured interviews were conducted with 12 patients 1-3 months after being diagnosed with incurable oesophageal or gastric cancer. Four participants were interviewed twice, which resulted in 16 interviews. Data were analysed with qualitative content analysis. RESULTS An overall theme, "Striving towards normality in an unpredictable situation", with three related themes - "Trying to comprehend the disease", "Dealing with the consequences of illness" and "Re-evaluating what is important in everyday life" - and seven sub-themes were identified. The participants described an unexpected and unpredictable situation, in which they strived to maintain their normal life. Amidst struggling to manage problems related to eating, fatigue and an incurable diagnosis the participants talked about the importance of focusing on the positive and normal aspects of life. CONCLUSIONS The findings in this study point to the importance of supporting patients' confidence and skills, particularly with regard to managing eating, so that they can hold on to their normal life as much as possible. The findings further point to the possible benefit of integrating an early palliative care approach and could provide guidance for nurses and other professionals on how to support patients post diagnosis.
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Flight IH, Chapman J, Harrison NJ, Bull J, Christensen C, Koczwara B, Wilson CJ. Mapping Information Needs over the Diagnosis, Treatment, and Survivorship Trajectory for Esophago-gastric Cancer Patients and Their Main Supporters: a Retrospective Survey. JOURNAL OF CANCER EDUCATION : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE AMERICAN ASSOCIATION FOR CANCER EDUCATION 2022; 37:655-661. [PMID: 32876865 DOI: 10.1007/s13187-020-01862-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/11/2023]
Abstract
This study reports preliminary data about the information needs of esophago-gastric cancer survivors and their supporters across diagnosis and treatment by identifying time-specific needs and whether the information provided aligned with the needs at each time point. Survivors (n = 26) and supporters (n = 15) were recruited from a public teaching hospital in South Australia. Both groups provided recall data describing personal information domain challenges at 6 clinically significant time points ranging from diagnosis to > 2 years post diagnosis. Responses were analyzed using descriptive statistics for non-normally distributed data. Needs relating to communication, tests, disease, and the physical effects information domains were consistently high across time and in groups. Supporters' overall needs were greater than those of survivors, particularly at times of high need. At times of low need, both groups reported information overload. Our results confirm that survivors and supporters require information throughout the cancer trajectory, up to 2 years after diagnosis, and supporters' needs are likely to be even greater. Results highlight the importance of timely and relevant information provision and provide a basis for the development of resources to empower survivors and supporters to identify and articulate their personal information needs. Patient navigators may provide an avenue to facilitate this approach.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ingrid H Flight
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Janine Chapman
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Nathan J Harrison
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- National Centre for Education and Training on Addiction (NCETA), Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Jeff Bull
- Department of Digestive Surgery, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
- College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University Discipline of Surgery, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | | | - Bogda Koczwara
- Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders Medical Centre and Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia
| | - Carlene J Wilson
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, College of Medicine and Public Health, Flinders University, Bedford Park, South Australia, Australia.
- Olivia Newton-John Cancer Wellness Research Centre, Austin Health, Heidelberg, Victoria, Australia.
- School of Psychology and Public Health, La Trobe University, Bundoora, Victoria, Australia.
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Toh Y, Inoue Y, Hayakawa M, Yamaki C, Takeuchi H, Ohira M, Matsubara H, Doki Y, Wakao F, Takayama T. Creation and provision of a question and answer resource for esophageal cancer based on medical professionals' reports of patients' and families' views and preferences. Esophagus 2021; 18:872-879. [PMID: 34169363 PMCID: PMC8387257 DOI: 10.1007/s10388-021-00857-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2021] [Accepted: 06/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/03/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND In the rapidly-progressing healthcare environment, it is essential to improve treatment quality through continuous clarification of the needs and concerns of esophageal cancer patients and their families. Effective collaboration between information providers and academic associations could help make such clarified information available. METHODS We analyzed esophageal cancer patients' views and preferences (PVPs) using data that were previously obtained from medical staff in Japan. Based on these PVPs, we created a question and answer (Q&A) resource through collaboration with the Cancer Information Service in Japan (CISJ) and the Japan Esophageal Society (JES). RESULTS Regarding esophageal cancer, "diet and eating behavior" was the most frequent PVP mentioned by patients and their families, followed by "treatment-related symptoms and adverse effects" and "daily life, recuperation, and survivorship." These PVPs were noted by a wide variety of medical specialties. By analyzing the PVPs, the CISJ developed 11 proposed questions and sent them to the JES, which then created answers based on evidence and clinical-practice-associated consensus. The resultant Q&A resource was uploaded to the CISJ website with mutual linkage to the JES website. CONCLUSIONS This study showed the usefulness of collecting esophageal-cancer-related PVPs from medical staff and fostering successful collaboration between a cancer-information provider and an academic association. This arrangement may represent a model case for developing a sustainable system that can satisfactorily respond to PVPs regarding other cancers and/or issues.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yasushi Toh
- The Japan Esophageal Society, Tokyo, Japan ,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, National Hospital Organization Kyushu Cancer Center, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoji Inoue
- Division of Cancer Information Services, Center for Cancer Control and Information Service, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Masayo Hayakawa
- Division of Cancer Information Services, Center for Cancer Control and Information Service, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Chikako Yamaki
- Division of Cancer Information Services, Center for Cancer Control and Information Service, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Hiroya Takeuchi
- The Japan Esophageal Society, Tokyo, Japan ,Department of Surgery, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, Hamamatsu, Shizuoka Japan
| | - Masaichi Ohira
- The Japan Esophageal Society, Tokyo, Japan ,Department of Gastroenterological Surgery, Osaka City University School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Hisahiro Matsubara
- The Japan Esophageal Society, Tokyo, Japan ,Department of Frontier Surgery, Chiba University Graduate School of Medicine, Chiba, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Doki
- The Japan Esophageal Society, Tokyo, Japan ,Division of Gastroenterological Surgery, Department of Surgery, Osaka University Graduate School of Medicine, Osaka, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Wakao
- Center for Cancer Control and Information Services, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomoko Takayama
- Division of Cancer Information Services, Center for Cancer Control and Information Service, National Cancer Center, Tokyo, Japan
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Ngai LL, ter Veer E, van den Boorn HG, van Herk EH, van Kleef JJ, van Oijen MGH, van Laarhoven HWM. TOXview: a novel graphical presentation of cancer treatment toxicity profiles. Acta Oncol 2019; 58:1138-1148. [PMID: 31017020 DOI: 10.1080/0284186x.2019.1601256] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Background: Toxicity profiles play a crucial role in the choice between specific palliative chemotherapy regimens. To optimize the quality of life for cancer patients, patients should be adequately informed about potential toxicities before undergoing chemotherapy. Therefore, we constructed TOXviews, a novel graphical presentation and overview of toxicity profiles to improve information provision about adverse events. As an example, we analyzed first-line chemotherapy regimens for advanced esophagogastric cancer (AEGC). Methods: We searched PubMed, EMBASE, CENTRAL, ASCO and ESMO for prospective phase II or III randomized controlled trials (RCTs) on palliative first-line systemic treatment for AEGC until February 2017. We extracted proportions of Common Terminology Criteria for Adverse Events grade 1-2 (mild) and 3-4 (severe) adverse events from each chemotherapy arm and pooled these by using single-arm meta-analysis. Toxicity profiles per chemotherapy regimen were visualized in bidirectional bar charts with pooled proportions plus 95% confidence intervals. For comparative analysis, chemotherapy regimens were grouped in singlets, doublets and triplets. Results: We included 92 RCTs with a total of 16,963 patients. TOXviews for 3 fluoropyrimidine singlets, 5 cisplatin-containing doublets (C-doublets), 10 fluoropyrimidine non-cisplatin containing doublets (F-doublets), 4 anthracycline-containing triplets (A-triplets) and 5 taxane-containing triplets (T-triplets) were constructed. C-doublets, A-triplets and T-triplets all showed an increased incidence of grade 3-4 adverse events and clinically relevant grade 1-2 adverse events compared to F-doublets. Conclusion: TOXview provides a new graphical presentation and overview of chemotherapy toxicities. TOXviews can be used to educate physicians about the incidences of AEs of systemic therapy and improve informed decision-making.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lok Lam Ngai
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Emil ter Veer
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Héctor G. van den Boorn
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - E. Hugo van Herk
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jessy Joy van Kleef
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Martijn G. H. van Oijen
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Hanneke W. M. van Laarhoven
- Department of Medical Oncology, Cancer Centre Amsterdam, Amsterdam UMC, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Pinto E, Cavallin F, Scarpa M. Psychological support of esophageal cancer patient? J Thorac Dis 2019; 11:S654-S662. [PMID: 31080642 PMCID: PMC6503274 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2019.02.34] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/27/2018] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Important questions are still open about psychological aspects in esophageal cancer (EC) and about the related psychological support. How to cope with the cancer diagnosis and poor prognosis: a psychological counselling may be a valid option to personalize the communication to patients with a poor prognosis. How to cope with long chemoradiotherapy: after neoadjuvant therapy, patients know that curative process is not completed, and they perceive the severity of the neoadjuvant side effects, considering themselves "fragile" and far from a healthy condition before the major surgery they are going to undergo. Therefore, this is a particularly crucial point when psychological support may be useful. How to cope with change of nutritional habits: esophagectomy for cancer strongly impairs nutritional function in the early postoperative period and feeding Jejunostomy impairs emotional function. How to cope with sleep disturbances: most cancer patients report disturbed sleep after cancer diagnosis and/or following cancer treatment. Psychological intervention aims to identify underlying concerns worsening sleep quality. How to cope with postoperative complications: the occurrence of such complications reduces patient's satisfaction and has a negative effect on doctor-patient relationship. How to cope with long-term functions impairment: EC patients need a plan for the future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eleonora Pinto
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Centre for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV-IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | | | - Marco Scarpa
- General Surgery Unit, Azienda Ospedaliera di Padova, Padova, Italy
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Saadeh LM, Slaman AE, Pinto E, Gisbertz SS, Cavallin F, Jezerskyte E, Alfieri R, Noteboom L, Bellissimo MC, Cagol M, Pirozzolo G, Castoro C, Scarpa M, van Berge Henegouwen MI. Esophageal cancer patients' information management: cross-cultural differences between Dutch and Italian patients in perceived quality of provided oncological information. J Thorac Dis 2018; 10:5123-5130. [PMID: 30233889 DOI: 10.21037/jtd.2018.07.117] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Luca M Saadeh
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Annelijn E Slaman
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Eleonora Pinto
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Suzanne S Gisbertz
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Francesco Cavallin
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Egle Jezerskyte
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rita Alfieri
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Loes Noteboom
- Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Maria Cristina Bellissimo
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Matteo Cagol
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Giovanni Pirozzolo
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
| | - Carlo Castoro
- Department of Upper GI Surgery, Humanitas Research Hospital-Humanitas University, Rozzano, Italy
| | - Marco Scarpa
- Esophageal and Digestive Tract Surgical Unit, Regional Center for Esophageal Disease, Veneto Institute of Oncology (IOV IRCCS), Padova, Italy
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