The Effect of Uncertainty Management Program on Quality of Life Among Vietnamese Women at 3 Weeks Postmastectomy

What is the relationship between body image and the quality of life of women who underwent surgery for breast cancer? A scoping review

PURPOSE

This review aimed to identify, characterize, map, and summarize existing knowledge about the relationship of perceived body image with the quality of life (QoL) of women who have undergone surgical treatment for breast cancer.

METHODS

A scoping review was conducted following the PRISMA-ScR guidelines. PubMed, PsycINFO and Scopus databases were searched, and articles published until August 2022 were included.

RESULTS

The search resulted in 796 records, and 51 articles were included for analysis. A significant negative impact on body image perception and QoL after surgical treatment for breast cancer was found in the majority of studies. Sociodemographic variables such as age, education, socioeconomic status, unstable attachment styles and time after the surgery may have an effect on a worsening of the overall body image and QoL score of women. It was found that there was greater dissatisfaction with body image in women who underwent mastectomy compared to those who underwent conservative surgery.

CONCLUSION

Evidence has shown that breast cancer surgery affects the perceived body image and QoL of patients worldwide. Age, education, socioeconomic status, and the type of surgery are potential factors influencing these outcomes. It is worth noting that the review encompassed articles from various countries, reflecting a significant cultural diversity among the studied populations. However, most of these articles did not delve into an analysis of these cultural disparities. This review also indicated insufficient details regarding the assessment instruments used to assess perceived body image.

Supportive care interventions for cancer patients in low- and middle-income countries (LMICs): a scoping review

PURPOSE

In high-income countries (HICs), supportive care is often used to assist cancer patients as they seek treatment and beyond. However, in low-and middle-income countries (LMICs), where more than 70% of all cancer-related deaths occur [1], the provision of supportive care has not been assessed. The purpose of this scoping review is to assess the type of supportive care interventions for cancer patients across the cancer care continuum in LMICs.

METHODS

We examined published articles reporting on supportive care interventions in LMICs. Following PRISMA guidelines, we performed a systematic search of PubMed, ERIC, CINAHL, and PsycINFO. We limited the scope to original research studies focused on LMICs, studies concerning any type of supportive care intervention for adult cancer patients, from diagnosis, treatment, and post-treatment.

RESULTS

Thirty-five studies met the criteria for inclusion in the scoping review. The majority were randomized clinical trials (RCT) or used a quasi-experimental design. The highest number of studies (n = 23) was implemented in the WHO Eastern-Mediterranean region, followed by South-East Asia (n = 6), Africa (n = 4), and Western-Pacific Regions (n = 2). Most studies focused on women's cancers and included interventions for psychosocial support, symptom management, health literacy/education, and patient navigation.

CONCLUSIONS

Although we found only a small number of interventions being conducted in these settings, our results suggest that providing different types of supportive services in less-resourced settings, even when health systems are fragmented and fragile, can improve mental health, physical health, and the quality of life (QoL) of cancer patients.

Systematic review of illness uncertainty management interventions for cancer patients and their family caregivers

PURPOSE

Illness uncertainty pervades individuals' experiences of cancer across the illness trajectory and is associated with poor psychological adjustment. This review systematically examined the characteristics and outcomes of interventions promoting illness uncertainty management among cancer patients and/or their family caregivers.

METHODS

PubMed, Scopus, PsycINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), Embase, and Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews were systematically searched for relevant literature. We included randomized controlled trials (RCTs) and quasi-experimental studies focusing on interventions for uncertainty management in cancer patients and/or their family caregivers.

RESULTS

Our database searches yielded 26 studies. Twenty interventions were only offered to cancer patients, who were mostly elder, female, and White. All interventions included informational support. Other intervention components included emotional support, appraisal support, and instrumental support. Most interventions were delivered in person and via telephone (n = 8) or exclusively in person (n = 7). Overall, 18 studies identified positive intervention effects on illness uncertainty outcomes.

CONCLUSION

This systematic review foregrounds the promising potential of several interventions-and especially multi-component interventions-to promote uncertainty management among cancer patients and their family caregivers. To further improve these interventions' effectiveness and expand their potential impact, future uncertainty management interventions should be tested among more diverse populations using rigorous methodologies.