Abstract Background: Physicians are frequently asked to provide care for their own family members, a situation that may blur professional boundaries and challenge ethical norms. In Lebanon, where family involvement in cancer decision making is culturally prominent, physicians may face additional pressures regarding truth disclosure and caregiving. Evidence on how Lebanese physicians navigate these situations remains limited. Methods: We conducted a descriptive, cross-sectional survey among physicians registered with the Lebanese Order of Physicians in Beirut. A total of 196 physicians completed the questionnaire. Respondents were categorized into two groups based on whether they had experienced a family member with cancer. Descriptive analyses examined physicians' attitudes and practices regarding cancer diagnosis disclosure and the provision of medical care to relatives. Results: Overall, 70.9% of respondents reported having a family member with cancer during their medical career. Across both groups, most physicians supported truthful disclosure of a cancer diagnosis, with 61.4% of physicians without an affected family member favoring direct disclosure to the patient. Among physicians who had faced requests for nondisclosure, 62.5% disagreed with concealing the diagnosis. Providing medical care to relatives was common, with 71.2% reporting that they had done so, primarily to comfort relatives (66.7%) or facilitate access to health care (48.5%–60.0%). Difficulty maintaining objectivity (up to 50.0%) and setting professional boundaries (up to 71.4%) were frequently cited reasons for declining care. Most physicians perceived treating relatives as more challenging than treating other patients. Conclusions: Lebanese physicians commonly encounter ethical tensions when disclosing a cancer diagnosis or providing care to family members. Although support for truth-telling and professional standards is high, cultural expectations and family dynamics significantly influence practice. These findings highlight the need for clear ethical guidance, institutional support, and culturally sensitive communication training to assist physicians in managing dual professional-familial roles.
Background: People diagnosed with medical conditions, such as cancer, are at higher risk of experiencing heightened health anxiety. However, little data exist on those at high risk of developing cancer, such as Lynch syndrome (LS), which is a genetic predisposition to adult-onset cancers. This study examined the severity of and predictors associated with health anxiety (HA) in people with LS. Methods: Participants were recruited from a genetic cancer registry in Toronto. Of 335 individuals contacted, 209 participated (62% response rate) and completed self-report measures assessing HA (Short Health Anxiety Inventory), depression (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), cancer worry interference (Worry Interference Scale), and coping (Coping with Health Injuries and Problems Scale). Demographic and medical data included age, gender, education, marital status, cancer histories, time since diagnosis, and number of first-degree relatives with cancer. Data were analyzed with descriptive statistics and independent t -tests to examine differences in HA between participants with LS who had already been diagnosed with cancer and those without. Hierarchical regression analyses identified demographic and psychological predictors of elevated HA. Results: Participants were predominantly female, White, married or partnered, employed, and college-educated; 60% had been diagnosed with at least one cancer, most commonly colorectal, followed by endometrial and breast. The mean total Short Health Anxiety Inventory score was 13.68 (SD = 6.98); 29.2% of participants reported clinically significant levels of HA. No significant differences in HA were observed between participants with and without a cancer diagnosis (all P > 0.60). Hierarchical regression analyses revealed that younger age was the only significant predictor ( P = 0.05) among demographic and medical variables. Psychological variables, including greater depression, anxiety, worry interference, and emotional preoccupation coping, were predictive of higher HA and accounted for an additional 42% of the variance in HA (adjusted R 2 = 0.45, f 2 = 0.77, all P < 0.05). Conclusions: Findings suggest that HA is of clinical significance for individuals who have LS. Accurately identifying and treating HA among this population may be one avenue to reduce the distress experienced by those with LS. Future research should clarify how HA evolves over time and determine optimal timing and approaches for intervention.
Abstract Background: Insomnia symptoms are common in people with cancer and have detrimental effects on quality of life and survival rates. Mind-body therapies (MBTs) are promising forms of treatment for people with cancer and insomnia symptoms. The objective of this study is to assess the effectiveness of MBTs for insomnia symptoms in people living with cancer. Methods: EMBase, PubMed, Cinahl, PsychINFO, IndMED, CSI-NISCAIR, CNKI, Clinicaltrial.gov, ChiCTR, and CTRI were searched until February 2025 for randomized controlled studies in which MBT was tested in a cancer population. Network meta-analyses were used to rank the relative effectiveness of MBTs for insomnia symptoms compared with usual care. Results: We identified a total of 99 studies, which involved 9,562 participants. Compared with usual care, MBTs with a statistically significant large effect (standardized mean difference, SMD >0.8) for insomnia symptoms were relaxation training (SMD = −1.97, P < .001), music therapy (SMD = −1.99, P < .001), body-mind-spirit intervention (SMD = −1.56, P = .187), biofeedback (SMD = −1.28, P = .208), mindfulness-based interventions (MBIs) (SMD = −1.04, P < .001), Tai Chi/qigong (SMD = −0.80, P = .068), and yoga (SMD = −0.80, P = .012). Only Tai Chi/qigong (SMD = −0.51, P = .267) and (MBIs, SMD = −0.25, P = .444) were supported by the sensitivity analysis with studies from “advanced” economies, which had a lower risk of bias. Conclusions: Where MBT is recommended by clinicians for insomnia symptoms in people with cancer, priority should be given to Tai Chi/qigong and MBIs.
Abstract Background: Engaging patients in health care can empower them to take an active role in treatment, ultimately improving adherence, outcomes, and satisfaction. To enhance patient engagement in prehabilitation, we developed a handout inviting patients to record their preoperative goals and personal significance. We explored the following: (1) What are the goals of patients receiving prehabilitation? (2) How well do these goals align with surgeons' referral reasons? (3) To what extent is goal alignment associated with the attainment of the referral aim? Methods: Using a mixed-methods sequential exploratory design, we retrospectively reviewed the engagement handouts from September 2021 to 2023. Qualitative responses were compared with surgeons' referral reasons. Patient goals were classified as completely, partially, or misaligned with referral aims. Goal attainment and alignment were analyzed using summative content analysis and descriptive statistics. Results: Among 191 handouts reviewed (lung, gastrointestinal, hernia, orthopedic, spinal surgeries; 54% with cancer), patients referred to prehabilitation commonly aimed to improve physical health, generally feel prepared for surgery, and improve nutrition, which was motivated by personal well-being, recovery, and support for others. Approximately one-third of goals were fully aligned with referral reasons, with smoking cessation and weight loss showing the greatest mismatch. Complete alignment was associated with higher referral aim attainment: 84% of patients met their surgeon's aim, compared with only 16% when goals were misaligned ( P < 0.001). Conclusions and Implications: Goal alignment may support prehabilitation success. Future research should further explore the relationship between shared goal setting, alignment, and prehabilitation outcomes.
Abstract Background: While extensive research has explored the impact of breast cancer on patients' health and quality of life, considerably less attention has been paid to understanding how the emotional and psychological well-being of intimate partners are related to women's psychological outcomes. This study investigates associations among partners' perceptions of body image and their impact on psychological distress and coping flexibility during the post-treatment period. Methods: Using a snowball sampling method, forty Italian couples (N = 80)—each consisting of a breast cancer patient who had undergone surgery and the committed partner—were recruited. Participants completed psychometric assessments measuring anxiety, depression, distress (Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale), as well as psychological flexibility (Perceived Ability to Cope with Trauma). Patients' body image was evaluated through the Body Image Scale, while partners' perceptions of the women's body image were captured through an ad hoc questionnaire. Finally, two separate multiple linear regression models were conducted to test associations between study variables. Results: Patients' mean age was 48.60 ± 10.27 years, and partners' mean age was 50.60 ± 11.47 years. Most couples had been in a stable relationship for more than 5 years. Most patients had undergone mastectomy (67.50%) and received adjuvant therapies; only 5 (12.50%) underwent surgery alone. In the first regression model (Adj. R 2 = 0.52), patients' body image was positively associated with partners' perceptions of patients' body image (β = 0.68) and with partners' distress (β = 0.30) and depression (β = 0.29). The second model (Adj. R 2 = 0.47) indicated that partners' psychological flexibility (β = 0.41) was positively, and partners' depression (β = –0.48) and anxiety (β = –0.51) were negatively, associated with patients' coping flexibility. Conclusions: The present results underscore the critical role of patients' and partners' perceptions in the clinical management of body image issues and coping with breast cancer-related concerns, particularly through flexibility-focused coping strategies. Healthcare providers should consider addressing partners' mental health symptomatology and their responses to the psychological and physical changes experienced by women when developing interventions to alleviate body image concerns.
To address the existing disparity in access to psychosocial oncology services in low and middle-income countries of Africa, the International Psycho-Oncology Society (IPOS)-Extension for Community Health Outcomes (ECHO) training program was designed to build capacity in evidence-based psycho-oncology practice through a monthly virtual continuing education, support, and mentorship for 12 months. The aim of this study was to evaluate a novel IPOS-ECHO training program on key psychosocial oncology practice indicators and identify implementation barriers experienced by participants in using the acquired knowledge and skills. Participants for the program were recruited through announcements on the IPOS website, as well as on healthcare systems and oncology-related association platforms in Africa. The University of New Mexico/NCI Project ECHO (Extending Community Health Outreach) model was adopted in engaging a cohort of oncology professionals practicing in diverse African oncology settings. Data were gathered from online application forms, and questionnaires were completed before training, right after each session, and at a 3-month follow-up after the end of the program. A total of 43 professionals working with patients with cancer across 10 countries within 4 regions of Africa were recruited into the program. Most of the professionals were psychologists (30%), nurses (26%), doctors (21%), and social workers (9%). The participants had a median session participation rate of 77%, with a median postsession survey response rate of 75%. The participants significantly improved in all 11 sessions on self-reported knowledge ( P < 0.01). The most commonly self-reported area of impact of the IPOS-ECHO on psychosocial oncology practice was knowledge and improved skills, reported by a median of 88% and 79% of the participants, respectively. Postintervention self-rated adoption of lessons learned from each IPOS-ECHO session was significant for half of the sessions ( P < 0.05). The most common self-reported implementation barriers to using acquired skills and knowledge even at 3 months after intervention were the lack of material resources (40%), lack of personnel resources (36%), and need for more training (32%). The least reported implementation barriers were lack of opportunity to use the skill (4%), lack of political will (16%), and lack of time (24%). The IPOS-ECHO training sessions have shown promise in building capacity in psycho-oncology practice among the first African cohort of professionals who participated in the program. It is important to take advantage of this success to grow the practice of psychosocial oncology care in Africa and to expand it to other underserved settings.
Abstract Background: Breast cancer survivors (BCS) commonly experience fear of cancer recurrence (FCR), fueling vigilance toward bodily sensations such as pain, which can cause further fear and reduce quality of life. FCR is a primary clinical concern of cancer survivors across countries, and hypervigilance is identified as a core clinical criterion of FCR, but we still do not have great measures for it or understand the subcomponents of it. Therefore, the Bodily Threat Monitoring Scale (BTMS) is a self-report scale designed to capture this vigilance toward bodily sensations as signals of threat. This study evaluates the reliability and construct validity of the BTMS-Dutch. Methods: Adult BCS completed the BTMS and other validated questionnaires of bodily processing, FCR, and health-related quality of life (n = 87); a subsample completed the BTMS again 2 weeks later (n = 67). Reliability was investigated using Cronbach alpha and intraclass correlations. Confirmatory factor analysis was used to inspect assumed subscales. Construct validity was investigated by evaluating correlations with the Illness Attitudes Scale (IAS) and the Anxiety Sensitivity Index (ASI-3). Associations with theoretically related clinical outcomes, specifically FCR and health-related quality of life, were also inspected. Results: The BTMS showed good-to-excellent internal consistency for the total score (α = 0.906) and assumed subscales (bodily monitoring α = 0.855; bodily threat appraisals α = 0.915). The ICC ranged from moderate-to-good (BTMS = 0.811; BM = 0.708; BTA = 0.836), confirming adequate test-retest reliability. The BTMS evidenced good construct validity, demonstrating a strong association with the IAS (r = 0.762) and a moderate association with the ASI-3 (r = 0.442). The two-factor structure of the BTMS did not provide a strong fit. Associations with FCR and indices of health-related quality of life were replicated. Conclusions: The BTMS-Dutch demonstrated good reliability and construct validity, and associations with theoretically related clinical outcomes including FCR were replicated. The two-factor structure could not be confirmed.
Diagnosis and treatment of childhood cancer are a drastic experience for the entire family. However, in the long term, only few survivors and their parents report major psychological problems. With this systematic review, we aimed to summarize the measurement tools used to assess psychological resilience among childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) and their families, their levels of resilience, and variables associated with resilience. We searched two databases (PubMed and PsycInfo) in November 2021 and updated the search in February 2023 and February 2024. We included studies on psychological resilience of CCSs and family members and narratively synthesized the data of the included studies. The QATSDD was used for the quality assessment of the included studies. We identified thirteen studies; seven of them assessed resilience among CCSs and six among parents of CCSs, using ten different resilience measurements. Medium-to-high resilience levels were found for CCSs. Two studies compared CCSs with sibling-controls and found similar levels. Two studies comparing parents of CCSs with comparison groups showed lower levels of resilience among CCS parents. We found that emotional distress and social support were associated with resilience levels. The list of resilience measurement tools might serve as a reference for future studies and as guidance in developing a gold standard resilience measurement tool. Identified risk and preventive factors might help to develop a better understanding of the resilience of CCSs and their families and could be incorporated into counseling services or therapy approaches.
This study maps the research landscape of psychological treatment in oncology from 2000 to 2024, with a focus on identifying core thematic hotspots, tracing temporal trajectories, outlining geographic, institutional distributions, and distilling future directions for patient-centered psychosocial care. A bibliometric analysis was conducted on records from the Web of Science Core Collection using VOSviewer. We examined keyword co-occurrence to identify themes and cocitation patterns to delineate knowledge structures, alongside descriptive analyses of temporal growth and country/institution outputs. Scholarly output has grown steadily over the period. Dominant hotspots include psychological interventions aimed at quality of life, management of depression and anxiety, supportive/palliative care, and issues salient to survivorship. Emerging fronts feature technology-enabled approaches—mHealth/telemedicine and Artificial Intelligence (AI)–assisted screening or support—together with the rising use of mindfulness/meditation as adjunctive strategies. Site-specific psychosocial needs (e.g., by cancer type) and movement toward personalized psychosocial care are increasingly visible. Geographic and institutional patterns indicate concentrated contributions from major research hubs with expanding participation from additional regions. Psychotherapeutic interventions for patients with cancer are integral to comprehensive cancer care. Evidence points toward personalized, technology-informed, and survivorship-oriented psychosocial models. Future work should refine patient-centered interventions, strengthen outcome comparability, and extend evidence across diverse settings and cancer types.
Background:In Mexico, fear of recurrence (FCR) is one of the most frequently reported psychological problems of breast cancer (BC) survivors. However, a detailed investigation of this unique cultural and developing context has yet needed to be led. This study uses a deductive qualitative approach to describe and analyze the FCR experiences of Mexican BC survivors based on the blended theoretical model of FCR.Methods:Participants were Mexican BC survivors older than 18 years, with a previous cancer diagnosis stages I-III, who had completed their primary treatment and reported experiencing FCR. In-depth interviews were conducted and were analyzed using deductive thematic analysis.Results:Ten women were interviewed. After analysis, 4 categories emerged: 1) topography of FCR, 2) triggers of FCR, 3) specific fears, and 4) coping with FCR. The interviews revealed that women were worried about cancer recurrence and its consequences. They experienced deterioration in their quality of life in important domains, such as family life.Conclusions:The findings suggest that FCR is a complex phenomenon, where the characteristics of the disease are influenced by the cultural context (familism, traditions, and customs). This study provides a first look into the experience of suffering from FCR in the Mexican population, affirming the presence of concepts such as triggers, specific fears, and coping as constant factors of the FCR experience.
Background: We aimed to identify health-related quality of life (HRQOL) profiles among breast cancer survivors and factors associated with each profile. Methods: Breast cancer survivors diagnosed 6-13 months earlier completed surveys assessing sociodemographic, clinical, and HRQOL variables (NIH PROMIS short forms). Using latent profile analysis (LPA), we grouped survivors into HRQOL profiles of PROMIS scores based on model fit and clinical interpretability. We used multinomial logistic regression models to determine clinical, psy- chosocial, and demographic factors associated with each HRQOL profile. Results: Among 1,638 breast cancer survivors, we identified four HRQOL profiles: high (20.3% of survivors), average (34.5%), low (33.1%), and very low (12.1%). Membership in the low or very low versus high HRQOL profile was associated with:(sic) high school versus college/graduate (low OR-2.98 (1.29, 6.85); very low OR-4.51 (1.53, 13.33)]; not working [low OR = 2.20 (1.41, 3.43); very low OR-4.32 (2.33, 8.00)]; lack of consistent companionship (low OR = 3.67 (1.85, 7.25); very low OR-6.22 (2.78, 13.92)]; and history of: lung condition [low OR = 2.42 (1.34, 4.36); very low OR 4.28 (2.09, 8.77)]; anxiety/depression [low OR = 2.76 (1.71, 4.46); very low OR -8.86 (4.74, 16.56)]; sleep disturbance [low OR = 2.97 (1.25, 7.06); very low OR 6.21 (2.40, 16.08)]; and chemotherapy [low OR-3.29 (2.13, 5.08); very low OR-7.34 (3.75, 14.37)]. Protective factors associated with reduced likelihood of low/very low HRQOL profile membership included higher: financial well-being (low OR 0.82 (0.74, 0.90); very low OR = 0.78 (0.68, 0.89)] and spirituality (low OR = 0.63 (0.56, 0.71); very low OR-0.53 (0.45, 0.62)]. Conclusion: About 45% of early-phase breast cancer survivors in the present sample experienced low or very low HRQOL; early identificatic and targeted interventions can be used to improve HRQOL over time.
Background: Cancer substantially affects working-age patients in Japan, and 26.8% of newly diagnosed cases occur in people aged 20-64 years. These patients face social challenges such as employment, financial issues, and family responsibilities. The aim of this study was to determine the frequency and nature of social problems among Japanese working-age patients with cancer and investigate associated factors. Methods: A cross-sectional, internet-based survey was conducted. Participants aged 20-64 years were recruited via an online survey company. An original questionnaire was used to assess social problems in three domains: social life and finances (eg, loneliness and social support), family and intimate relationships (eg, childbearing and romantic partnership), and medical and daily life (eg, treatment-related issues). Psychological distress was measured using the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to investigate factors associated with severe social problems. Results: Of 683 respondents aged 20-64 years, 27.5%-50.8% reported at least 1 severe social problem. Younger patients (20-39 years) reported a higher frequency of all types of social problems than older patients and similar levels of psychosocial distress as middle-aged patients (40-49 years). Age was associated with the severity of seven social problems, including those related to social participation and interpersonal relationships. Factors significantly associated with social problem severity included psychological distress (eg, anxiety, depression), clinical factors (eg, treatment status), and sociodemographic factors (eg, marital and work status). Depression was associated with social problems related to lack of confidantes and challenges in romantic partnerships. Anxiety was associated with medical issues and loneliness. Ongoing treatment significantly affected romantic partnerships. Unmarried individuals and those with minor children were more vulnerable to loneliness and family-related and treatment-related problems. Changes in work status intensified family, sexual, and fertility concerns. Conclusions: Our findings highlight the need to integrate social care into cancer care by implementing tailored interventions to address life stage-specific issues. Psychological distress, work changes, being unmarried, and family responsibilities increase the risk of severe social problems. Interventions for high-risk patients that address career stability, fertility concerns, childcare support, and social integration are essential to improving psychosocial well-being among working-age Japanese patients with cancer.
Background: Breast cancer, the most prevalent cancer among women in Portugal, significantly affects both physical and psychological well-being. Recent research has emphasized the beneficial effects of self-compassion and the consequences that fear of receiving compassion has on mental health. This study examined fear of receiving compassion from others as a moderator of the relationships of self-compassion with symptoms of depression, anxiety, and stress. Methods: Portuguese women (N = 78) with nonmetastatic breast cancer completed self-report measures of interest (depression, anxiety, stress, and self-compassion). Data were analyzed using the PROCESS macro for moderation analysis. Results: The relationship between self-compassion and depressive symptoms was influenced by fear of receiving compassion from others. This relationship was statistically significant when the fear was moderate or high, but it was not statistically significant when the fear was low. The relationships between self-compassion and both anxiety and stress were not affected by fear of receiving compassion from others. Conclusions: This is the first study to explore fear of receiving compassion from others as a moderating factor of the relationship between self-compassion and psychological distress in women with breast cancer. More longitudinal, compassion-based intervention studies targeting fear of receiving compassion, as well as qualitative studies of patients' experiences of self-compassion, fear of compassion, and compassion-based interventions, should be conducted.
Background:Cancer diagnosis and treatment affect people in a variety of ways. It exerts remarkable emotional toll on many of those living with or surviving cancers. It is commonly linked with depression and a preoccupation with thoughts of death. Depression is a common and serious mental illness that can affect people of all ages, including those with advanced cancer. This study aimed to determine the frequency of depression and desire for hastened death (DHD) in patients with advanced cancers in need of palliative services at University College Hospital, Ibadan, and to identify factors and themes associated with a DHD. Methods: Using a sequential mixed-method approach involving an initial quantitative phase followed by a qualitative phase, we conducted a cross-sectional study of 106 participants. Depression was assessed with the Centre for Epidemiological Studies-Depression (CES-D) and DHD with Schedule of Attitude toward Hastened Death (SAHD). In-depth interviews were conducted for purposively selected participants based on SAHD scores. Results: 63.2% of participants were depressed with a CES-D score of >15, and 12.3% of participants had high DHD based on a SAHD score of >= 10. We found a weakly positive correlation between depression scores and the SAHD scores, Pearson r (106) = 0.27, P < 0.01. Depression (beta = 0.07, P = 0.013), income (beta = 1.21, P = 0.010), and religiosity (beta = 1.28, P = 0.010) were significant predictors of DHD. Subjective themes associated with DHD were hospital-related stress, treatment failure, and physical pain in those reporting high DHD, whereas improved physical functioning, positive self-image, ability to finance treatment, and a good patient-doctor relationship were themes associated with lower DHD. Coping strategies and causal attributions varied remarkably among participants. Conclusion:Depression and DHD are common in patients with cancers in need of palliative services. Sociodemographic and clinical factors significantly associated with DHD were income, religiosity, and depression. This study recommends that psycho-oncology services should be important complements in all cancer treatments.
Background: Family caregivers of patients with cancer undergo significant psychological trauma and stress in the process of caregiving. Care givers support is always very critical for patients with cancer due to the psychologically difficult process they undergo from cancer diagnosis, cancer treatment, to the end outcome, healing, or death from cancer. The aim of this paper was to describe the prevalence of psychological distress among family caregivers of cancers survivors, their demographic characteristics, and coping strategies they use to manage distress. Methods: The study used descriptive correlational study design. The target population were the caregivers who accompany patients with cancer seeking treatment in cancer treatment centers in Nairobi City County. Faraja Cancer Center and Kenyatta National Hospital were selected purposively seeking to capture 2 facilities, one representing the public centers and another representing the private centers. The total target population was 13,950. Hossan-Chowdhury formula for calculating sample size was applied on the target population yielding a sample size of 137 caregivers. Data collection was through 3 questionnaires, namely, the questionnaire for social demographic data which captured the sociodemographic information of caregivers and patients, while Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Perceived Stress Scale were used to measure depression and stress, respectively. Key informant interview guidelines were used to measure coping strategies. Data analysis for quantitative information was through descriptive (percentages and frequencies) and inferential statistics (correlation and regression). The interviews were transcribed verbatim and coded. The data were analyzed using a reflective thematic analysis technique. Results: A total of 120 participants responded to the research instrument. This represented a response rate of 87.6% of total targeted respondents. It was established that women, as compared with men, were 2.8 times more likely to experience stress associated with cancer patients' caregiving (P = 0.007). Education and employment status had a significantly high negative relationship with stress at r = -0.335 and -0.437 at P = 0.01, respectively. Majority of the caregivers (27.5%) felt that social support groups offered them support in alleviating psychological burden associated with caregiving. The social support systems came from family, friends, and engaging in social activities. Similarly, the study establishes that both meditation and group therapy was each used by 24.2% of the caregivers. Meditation as a coping strategy included the "me time" where the caregivers would take time praying, attending religious services and nature walks. Furthermore, the study found that using meditation was associated with 7.2 times increased odds ratio (OR) for managing or reducing psychological distress. Furthermore, using social support had nine times increased OR for getting help in managing psychological stress (OR = 9, P = 0.016, confidence interval = 95). This implied that professionals in the fields of mental health and health care can support caregivers in integrating meditation into their daily schedules. The findings coping mechanisms relate to previously conducted studies. For instance, Karabulutlu (2014) concur with this study, noting that healthcare workers need to focus on evidence-based coping mechanisms like group therapy and group counselling for the caregivers' families. Furthermore, the study also concurs with Teixeira et al. (2018), Louis et al. (2017), and Kohlsdorf and Costa Junior (2011) who had unanimous agreement that meditation for the caregivers who were at risk had a protective effect in reducing the likelihood of developing anxiety or depression. Conclusions: The study established that coping mechanisms and cancer patient's disease-related characteristics influenced the levels of psychological distress of the caregivers. It was concluded that meditation, social support, and group therapy were associated with reduction in psychological distress among caregivers, therefore; psychological support for the caregivers was highly recommended.
Background: Cancer-related fatigue (CRF) is a frequent and impactful symptom for many people with breast cancer. Cognitive biases are believed to influence CRF and were explored in the current mixed methods pilot study investigating a preventive Cognitive Bias Modification (CBM) training. Methods: Two data sets were combined resulting in 31 people with recently diagnosed breast cancer (n = 18 intervention group, n = 13 control group). Both groups were measured on self-identity bias and weekly fatigue and vitality before and after the intervention. The intervention group also answered daily fatigue and vitality scales and was interviewed after training. Potential training effects were assessed by exploring time series graphs on self-identity bias, vitality and fatigue, and trajectories of change during training. Results: Some indications of potential training effects were found on self-identity bias, weekly fatigue, and daily fatigue and vitality. Participants were accepting about the training and app features. Conclusions: This is the first study to research a preventive CBM targeting fatigue. Although this is a pilot study with small sample size, promising results were found. These results need to be confirmed in an randomized controlled trial with longer follow-up, sufficient control conditions, and a sample size to detect small effect sizes. CBM is a promising intervention for targeting fatigue in patients with breast cancer who show translational potential for other symptoms and patient groups. This study adds the promising potential of CBM as a preventive intervention.
Background: This study investigated the experience of intimate partner violence (IPV) and its association with quality of life (QoL) in cancer patients. Methods: A descriptive quantitative cross-sectional survey design was used. Study participants comprising 144 patients with cancer were recruited from the Radiation Oncology Clinic, University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan. The Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors (QLACS), Intimate Partner Conflict Experience (IPCE), and a demographic form were used for data collection. Data were analyzed using frequency, percentages, Mann-Whitney U test, Kruskal-Wallis, and Fisher exact tests. Results: The results showed that 25 (17.4%) of the 144 patients with cancer in the study reported experiencing IPV in the past 12 months. Psychological IPV was most commonly reported by 21 (84.0%) of those who experienced IPV. The results showed significant differences in IPV severity by gender (U = 28.50, Z = -2.176, P = 0.030) and marital status (U = 10.50, Z = -2.651, P = 0.008). Female patients with cancer and those who formerly lived with a spouse/partner reported more IPV severity. Fisher exact test (P = 0.042) and chi(2) [(df = 1, n = 25) = 4.738, P = 0.030] confirm a significant association between IPV and QoL. Patients with cancer experiencing high IPV were more likely to have poorer QoL than those experiencing low IPV. Conclusion: These findings suggest that some patients with cancer experience the double jeopardy of IPV and cancer with significant consequences on their QoL. This underscores the need for targeted psychosocial interventions to identify and mitigate the adverse effects of IPV to improve QoL outcomes for affected patients with cancer.
