Prevalence and frequency of self-management strategies among female cancer survivors: the neglected roles of social relations and conscious living

The role of diet in cancer: the potential of shaping public policy and clinical outcomes in the UK

Cancer universally represents one of the largest public health concerns, substantially contributing to global disease burden and mortality. The multifaceted interplay of environmental and genetic factors in the disease aetiology and progression has required comprehensive research to elucidate modifiable elements which can reduce the risk of incidence and improve prognosis. Among these factors, diet and nutrition have emerged as the most fundamental with a significant potential for influence and effect. Nutrition is not only an essential part of human survival, but also a vital determinant of overall health. Certain dietary requirements are necessary to support normal physiology. This includes individualised levels of macronutrients (proteins, carbohydrates and fats) and specific micronutrients (vitamins and minerals). Extensive research has demonstrated that diet plays a role in cancer pathogenesis at the genetic, epigenetic and cellular level. Therefore, its potential as a modifiable determinant of cancer pathogenesis for the purpose of prevention and improving management of disease must be further explored and implemented. The ability to influence cancer incidence and outcomes through dietary changes is underutilised in clinical practice and insufficiently recognised among the general public, healthcare professionals and policy-makers. Dietary changes offer the opportunity for autonomy and control over individuals health outcomes. Research has revealed that particular dietary components, as well as cultural behaviours and epidemiological patterns may act as causative or protective factors in cancer development. This review aims to comprehensively synthesise this research to further explore how to best utilise this knowledge within the community and clinical environment for more effective cancer prevention and therapeutic strategies. The identified key areas for improvement include the development of more specific, widely accepted guidelines, promoting increased involvement of dieticians within cancer multidisciplinary teams, enhancing nutritional education for healthcare professionals and exploring the potential implementation of personalised nutrition tools. A greater understanding of the complex interactions between diet and cancer will facilitate informed clinical interventions and public health policies to reduce global cancer burden and improve care for cancer patients and survivors.

Turning a Curve: How People Use Everyday Resources to Negotiate Recovery From Cancer Treatment With Curative Intent

Many more cancers are treated with intent to cure now than in previous decades, but for most, this involves significant effects from which people need to recover psychologically and socially, as well as physically. This longitudinal photo-elicitation interview study uses grounded theory to explain how people discharged from specialist care made use of everyday social and material resources to manage this process at home. Recovery is presented as a curve in life's pathway requiring gradual reorientation, drawing on social worlds and domestic resources to calibrate this process. Findings are described in three stages: (1) responding to diagnosis and treatment, (2) using social resources for meaning-making, and (3) developing assets for recovery. During treatment, participants drew on past identities to reinforce their sense of self, and personalized health care communication supported this process. In the weeks after treatment, new frameworks of understanding were constructed from perspectives on cancer encountered in the family, workplace, and outpatient clinics. Recovery processes included the negotiation of personal change, the renegotiation of close relationships, and the use of everyday resources to regain three sensations: control, comfort, and continuity. Supportive care would benefit from an individualized exploration of the assets that can help people to negotiate this challenging phase as treatment comes to a close. Possibilities for self-care (the maintenance of health and well-being in the context of everyday life) can be explored and assessed through personalized discussion around the identities, social worlds, and everyday resources available to each individual.

Self-Management Strategy Clustering, Quality of Life, and Health Status in Cancer Patients Considering Cancer Stages

BACKGROUND

In the cancer-care continuum, self-management can help cancer patients regardless of their treatment plan or cancer stage. However, research examining self-management strategy clusters considering cancer stages is lacking. Thus, we examined self-management strategy clusters considering cancer stages and the effects of self-management strategy clusters on quality of life (QoL) and overall health status.

METHOD

A total of 256 patients who completed both baseline and second surveys for a 6-month period ultimately participated in this prospective cohort study. To identify the interrelationship between self-management strategies measured by the Smart management strategies for health assessment tool (SAT), we conducted cluster analysis using a principal component analysis in varimax rotation and the k-mean clustering method. We also performed multivariate-adjusted analyses in QoL and overall health status comparisons by dividing the cancer stage into early (I, II) and advanced (III, IV).

RESULTS

All patients experienced two domains of self-management strategies concurrently. However, self-management strategy clusters differed by cancer stage, and the effect of self-management strategy clusters on quality of life and overall health status also differed. Self-management strategy clusters effectively improved the quality of life and overall health status of the entire cohort of patients, even in patients with advanced-stage cancer.

CONCLUSION

This study revealed that the pattern of using self-management strategies might differ by cancer stage. The strategy cluster positively affected QoL and overall health status in cancer patients. Identifying the self-management clusters of cancer patients with different cancer stages may have clinical implications for supporting their health management.

Establishing an Expert Consensus on Key Indicators of the Quality of Life among Breast Cancer Survivors: A Modified Delphi Study

(1) Background: The needs of cancer survivors are often not reflected in practice. One of the main barriers of the use of patient-reported outcomes is associated with data collection and the interpretation of patient-reported outcomes (PROs) due to a multitude of instruments and measuring approaches. The aim of the study was to establish an expert consensus on the relevance and key indicators of quality of life in the clinical practice of breast cancer survivors. (2) Methods: Potential indicators of the quality of life of breast cancer survivors were extracted from the established quality of life models, depicting survivors' perspectives. The specific domains and subdomains of quality of life were evaluated in a two-stage online Delphi process, including an international and multidisciplinary panel of experts. (3) Results: The first round of the Delphi process was completed by 57 and the second by 37 participants. A consensus was reached for the Physical and Psychological domains, and on eleven subdomains of quality of life. The results were further supported by the additional ranking of importance of the subdomains in the second round. (4) Conclusions: The current findings can serve to optimize the use of instruments and address the challenges related to data collection and interpretation as the facilitators of the adaption in routine practice.

Information on Averted Infections Increased Perceived Efficacy of Regulations and Intentions to Follow Them

The coronavirus 2019 (COVID-19) pandemic presented policymakers with the need to change people’s behavior in a fundamental way and for an extended period of time. Changing habits is difficult and requires sustained effort, and sustaining effort is especially difficult when it does not seem to yield conspicuous results. The COVID-19 pandemic presented exactly this difficulty, as numbers of infected people continued to rise despite the public’s efforts. In a representative sample from Israel ( N = 600), collected online during the first outbreak of the pandemic, we found that compared to control conditions in which information on only actual infection cases was presented, counterfactual information on the number of averted cases enhances the perceived effectiveness of following the guidelines, which, in turn, enhances perceived importance and intention of doing so (e.g., intention to restrict mobility), but only among those who understood the information. The findings align with self-regulation theories and have practical implications for policymakers.

A national survey of oncology survivors examining nutrition attitudes, problems and behaviours, and access to dietetic care throughout the cancer journey

BACKGROUND

Attitudes of cancer survivors to nutrition and nutrition care have rarely been captured. A better understanding of their needs based on a review of their experiences would give voice to this patient group (which has rarely been captured) and allow for better planning of nutritional care.

AIMS

To conduct a national survey to determine: (1) survivors' experience in relation to nutrition and diet-related problems, (2) perceived importance of the role of nutrition to cancer survivors, (3) the experience of accessing dietetic support, (4) the sources where survivors get nutrition information, and (5) their use of alternative dietary strategies.

METHODS

Survivors (any adult ever diagnosed with cancer) who had been diagnosed with or treated for cancer in Ireland within the past 5 years, were asked to complete a 25-item paper-based survey at one of 20 different hospital sites in Ireland. The survey was also hosted online on the websites of major cancer charities. Descriptive statistics were used to examine quantitative data.

RESULTS

In total, 1073 valid responses were received (63% female, mean age 57 years (range 18-88)). Breast cancer was the most common (n = 362), followed by colorectal (n = 121). One third of respondents had metastatic disease. Diet-related problems were reported by 45%. Weight loss was experienced by 44% and amongst those, 42% reported they were 'unhappy or worried' by this, while 27% reportedbeing 'delighted/happy' with their weight loss. Muscle loss was noted by 52%, with 20% reporting they had noticed 'a lot' of muscle loss. Nutrition was rated as 'very/extremely' important to cancer care by 89% of respondents, yet 58% reported being asked about dietary issues by their medical team only 'sometimes', 'rarely' or 'never'. Only 39% had been assessed/treated by a registered dietitian (RD) and 74% rated their advice/care as 'very/extremely' helpful. Worryingly, 39% of survivors with involuntary weight loss, and 29% of survivors on a texture modified diet had not received nutritional care from an RD. Overall, 57% of those who did not see an RD said they wanted more dietetic support (access to a helpline/dietitian/additional reliable information). Of concern, 37% of survivors were following or had tried alternative, unproven dietary strategies (e.g. restrictive diets, herbal remedies, juicing or detoxes), and 32% reported avoiding specific foods, e.g. processed meat or dairy. A majority (56%) felt confused by the often conflicting nutrition information available in the media and offered by people around them.

CONCLUSIONS

While nutrition is considered highly important by cancer survivors and a high proportion experience potentially serious diet-related problems including weight and muscle loss, fewer than half surveyed had access to a dietitian. Over a third had used at least one alternative dietary strategy, and over half felt confused about nutrition. Comprehensive nutritional screening and referral programmes to oncology dietitians need to be implemented in the ambulatory setting in order to identify and facilitate early management of the nutritional concerns of cancer survivors.