bluuebunny/crossref_metadata_2025_split huggingface dataset:
Cognitive behaviour therapy with advanced breast cancer patients: A brief report of a pilot study
Authors: Cocker Kathryn I. , Bell David R. , Kidman Antony D. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIn preparation for a formal study on the effects of cognitive behavioural therapeutic intervention with advanced breast cancer patients with respect to improved emotional well‐being and increased survival, a small (n = 6) pilot study was completed. Depression, anxiety, anger and self‐esteem self‐report measures were administered to determine the outcome of a 12‐week group Cognitive Behaviour Therapy programme which used the rationalemotive therapy model (Ellis, 1991). The programme followed psycho‐educational techniques to teach coping strategies for dealing with the various emotional factors associated with advanced breast cancer. In most cases, data at post‐programme and at a three‐month follow‐up revealed improvements in depression and anger and, to a smaller extent, with self‐esteem. The findings indicate that such a programme is beneficial to advanced breast cancer patients with respect to improving some aspects of emotional well‐being. It is too early to determine whether such a programme will improve survival.
Sources of ancillary oncology staff stress in radiation oncology
Authors: Kunkel Elisabeth J. Shakin , Shmuely Yochi , Shmuely Yochi 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPotential sources of staff stress are described and suggestions provided for staff interventions in radiation oncology. An in‐service program was conducted to elucidate potential sources of staff stress and to provide support for ancillary oncology staff (AOS) in a time‐limited intervention.
Perceptions of family functioning and cancer
Authors: Kissane David W. , Bloch Sidney , Burns W. Ivon , Patrick Jon D. , Wallace Christopher S. , McKenzie Dean P. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractFamily function was assessed in 102 families (342 members) of palliative care patients and grouped into classes by a computer‐based taxonomic program. Five classes were defined through the dimensions of cohesiveness, conflict and expressiveness of the Family Environment Scale (FES). One third of families we namedsupportivefor their high cohesiveness; a further 21%resolved conflicteffectively; both of these classes contained low psychological morbidity. Two classes (15%) were clearly dysfunctional:hostilefamilies (6%) were distinguished by high conflict whilesullenfamilies (9%) displayed moderate conflict, poor cohesion and limited expressiveness. These two classes had significantly higher levels of psychological morbidity and poorer social functioning. The remaining class (31%) had intermediate levels of cohesion, expressiveness and conflict (termedordinary) yet more moderate psychosocial morbidity. Screening of families with the FES would facilitate a more family‐centred approach to treatment, with relatively early identification of families at‐risk; preventive interventions would also then be feasible.
How distressing is attendance for routine breast screening?
Authors: Walker L. G. , Cordiner C. M. , Gilbert F. J. , Needham G. , Deans H. E. , Affleck I. R. , Hood D. B. , Mathieson D. , Ah‐See A. K. , Eremin O. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA prospective cohort study of 2357 women eligible for participation in the UK National Breast Screening Programme was carried out to evaluate the immediate emotional and behavioural effects of attending for routine mammography. Women completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) in the context of a survey by their General Practitioner before they knew they were to receive an invitation to attend screening and again at screening some 6 weeks later. In addition, an ad hoc Health Questionnaire was administered when the women attended for screening to assess possible self‐perceived stress‐related behaviour changes in the previous week.2110 (89.5% response rate) women returned the initial postal baseline HADS and 1635 completed the HADS again at screening. Anxiety and depression scales were significantly lower at screening than at baseline (t = 3.16, p < 0.002, 95% CI = 0.07 to 0.31) and (t = 8.46, p < 0.0001, 95% CI = 0.32 to 0.52) respectively. Women scoring in the borderline range at baseline were more likely to move into the normal than the clinically significant range for anxiety (χ2 = 40.36, p < 0.001) and also for depression (χ2 = 56.04, p < 0.001), and women scoring in the clinically significant range for anxiety were more likely to become normal than vice versa (χ2 = 5.95, p < 0.02). The Health Questionnaire indicated that some women reported stress‐related behaviour changes in the week prior to screening, especially those who were most anxious or depressed.
A randomized controlled trial of preoperative psychological preparation for mastectomy
Authors: Burton Mary V. , Parker Ronald W. , Farrell Anita , Bailey Dianne , Conneely Julia , Booth Sue , Elcombe Selena 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe effectiveness of a preoperative psychotherapeutic intervention with breast cancer patients was assessed in a randomized controlled trial: (1) preoperative interview plus a 30‐minute preoperative psychotherapeutic intervention; (2) preoperative interview plus a 30‐minute chat to control for the effects of attention; (3) preoperative interview only; and (4) routine hospital care control. A clinical psychologist interviewed the patient in hospital the afternoon before surgery. A consultant surgeon trained in listening and counselling skills conducted a 30‐minute psychotherapeutic intervention or chat. Psychological measures included anxiety and depression, body image distress, stressful life events, social support, and coping. Patients receiving a preoperative interview had lower body image distress at 3 months and 1 year than controls. Controls also showed significantly less Fighting Spirit in 1‐year interviews, and more control patients were cases for both anxiety and depression on Present State Examination criteria at 1 year than patients in the experimental groups. The psychotherapeutic intervention was superior to the chat among patients with severe stressful life events. Patients in the chat condition used their 30 minutes with the surgeon to explore symbolically themes of loss and restitution. In a multivariate model for predicting psychological outcome at 3 months and 1 year, experimental group remained a significant predictor when surgical procedure and age were included in the regression equation. Patients undergoing sector mastectomy had lower body image distress scores than mastectomy patients both at 3 months and 1 year. Psychological morbidity in the sample was high preoperatively (59%) and at 1 year (39%), but detection of morbidity by health professionals was poor. Predictors of caseness at follow‐up included caseness preoperatively, severe stressful life events, age, marital status, and social support. Implications of the findings for the care of cancer patients in hospital are discussed.
Emotional distress and hope in lung cancer patients, as perceived by patients, relatives, physicians, nurses and interviewers
Authors: Faller Hermann , Lang Hermann , Schilling Stefan 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe present investigation was designed to test whether, and in which manner, the cancer patients judge their emotional state differently to their care providers. Emotional distress and hope are rated by the patients, the physicians concerned, nurses, next of kin and interviewers respectively. Compared with the external observers (as well as the self‐images of the next of kin), the patients rate their distress significantly lower. The ratings that both they and their next of kin give for their hope are significantly higher than those given by professional care givers. The relatives' estimates of the patients' states are more strongly correlated with their own self‐reports than with those of the patients. In addition, the factorial structures differ from one level of perception to the next. The differences revealed by the present study are discussed in the light of social comparison processes and with reference to the patient's specific relations to his professional and natural supporters.
Physician/nurse attitudes and treatment adherence in children with cancer: A pilot study and new instrument
Authors: Szajnberg Nathan M. , Altman Arnold J. , Quinn John J. , Weisman Steven J. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA new instrument designed to assess the treatment team's attitudes towards individual families was field tested to assess its correlation with missed appointments. We hypothesized that positive attitudes about families would be associated with high treatment adherence as measured by appointment keeping. The oncologists rated ease of working with parents, estimated appointment adherence and child's degree of illness in 18 children being treated for cancer. The 35 cohabitating parents were assessed for marital discord and parental‐estimated appointment adherence. Actual appointment adherence was determined by clinic chart review. Physician‐estimated adherence varied systematically with each physician and degree of the patient's morbidity. Factors related to actual adherence include: physician's discomfort in working with parents, father's estimate of home‐treatment adherence, with a statistical trend for distance travelled to be inversely related to adherence. Neither marital discord nor parent‐estimated adherence was related to appointment adherence. Results are discussed in terms of implications for facilitating adherence.
Sexual dysfunction following tram flap breast reconstruction for breast cancer: A preliminary communication
Authors: Weitzner Michael A. , Hughes Mary K. , Schusterman Mark A. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractPsychological and social problems have been documented as sequelae of mastectomy. Patients may experience depression, anxiety, decreased sexual interest, negative changes in body image, fears of recurrence and concerns regarding the mastectomy site or prosthesis. Immediate breast reconstruction, using improved techniques such as the TRAM flap, have lessened the negative psychological impact of mastectomy but whether these procedures themselves result in psychologic or sexual impairment has not been reported. We, therefore, report four patients, three of whom were self‐referred for psychiatric evaluation, who experienced changes in body image and sexual response after TRAM flap reconstruction. Although the TRAM flap procedure cannot be specifically implicated, the similar presentation and complaints in these four cases suggest a possible association that warrants more rigorous study.
Neuropsychological assessment of cognitive functioning following chemotherapy for breast cancer
Authors: Wieneke Mary H. , Dienst Evelyn R. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCancer patients' complaints of impaired cognition following chemotherapy are fairly common but poorly documented among adult patients. Neuropsychological testing was used to evaluate current cognitive functioning of 28 stage I and II breast cancer patients (ages 28–54) who had completed 3 to 18 months of adjuvant chemotherapy, from 0.5 to 12 months prior to testing. Effects of drug regimen, length of treatment and level of depression on cognitive functioning were examined. Despite estimated high‐normal pre‐morbid intelligence (mean FSIQ 113) patients scored significantly below age‐, education‐, and gender‐corrected test norms in areas of verbal and visual memory, mental flexibility and speed of processing, attention and concentration, visuospatial ability and motor function. Of patients, 75% scored ‐2SDs (moderate impairment) on one or more test measures. Level of cognitive impairment was unrelated to depression, type of chemotherapy and time since treatment, but was positively related to length of chemotherapy treatment. These preliminary findings suggest that cognitive impairment may follow conventional adjuvant chemotherapy treatment and warrant replication with a controlled and more rigorous longitudinal design.
Developing clinical trial protocols: The use of patient focus groups
Authors: Bradburn Jane , Maher Jane , Adewuyi‐Dalton Ruth , Grunfeld Eva , Lancaster Tim , Mant David 
Published: February 2007

AbstractCan patient views, obtained through patient focus groups, make a contribution to the design of clinical trials? This paper describes the use of patient focus groups as a method of gaining information for the development of a randomised trial looking at community versus hospital care in breast cancer follow‐up.Focus groups were used as a method of obtaining qualitative data. Quick and easy access to patients was obtained through a local cancer support group network.Initial responses from the focus group participants appeared to be unfavourable to the protocol. In all, more than five issues were raised which might lead to reluctance to cooperate in the trial. Participants identified key issues related to their follow‐up.Changes were made to the protocol addressing the issues raised. It is suggested that where trials require informed consent, using focus groups to find out patients' perceptions at the initial stage may well save time and money, increase participation levels and lead to better outcomes.
Choices in measuring quality of life in children with cancer: A comment
Authors: Eiser Christine 
Published: February 2007

AbstractIt is increasingly recognized that measures of quality of life (QL) need to be integrated in assessments of outcome following treatment for childhood cancer. Requirements for such scales are discussed with respect to four issues: the need to be (i) brief and comprehensive, (ii) reliable and valid, (iii) able to account for developmental changes in meaning of QL and (iv) amenable to proxy ratings. Currently available instruments are reviewed and their advantages and disadvantages considered. In developing new instruments, attention needs to be paid to differences in definitions of QL made by clinicians and families. New instruments must take more account of patient and family perspectives. More multicentre work is called for in order to recruit samples of sufficient size that acceptable levels of reliability and validity can be established.
Psychiatric liaison to gynecological oncology
Authors: Cerfolio Nina 
Published: February 2007

AbstractA psychiatric liaison to the Gynecologic Oncology Service at a major cancer center was begun in July 1991 to improve the psychosocial care. A total of 82 women were evaluated by a psychiatric consultant over a 12‐month period. Most had advanced gynecological disease with poor prognosis. Consultation requests came from the nursing staff (42%), the gynecological fellow (34%) and the attending gynecologist (24%). Reasons for consultations were: difficulty coping (45%), depression (38%), social issues (7%) and ‘other’ (10%). The initial psychosocial issues were: patient‐related problems (62%), staff issues (28%) and family/social issues (10%). The patient‐related problems were: difficulty coping (43%), depression (33%), anxiety (16%) and delirium (8%). Upon initial assessment, the women met DSM‐III‐R diagnoses of adjustment disorder (53%) with depressed mood (32%), with mixed features (12%), with anxious mood (9%), major depression (13%), delirium (12%), panic attack with agoraphobia (4%), dementia (4%), schizophrenia (4%), ‘other’ (5%). After the initial consultation 28% developed delirium. ‘Other’ consisted of two women with a history of substance dependence and borderline personality disorder, one woman with an organic mood disorder and one woman with an interpersonal problem. Psychophar‐macological, behavioral and psychotherapeutic interventions are outlined through description of several clinical case reports.
A model curriculum for training in psycho‐oncology
Authors: Die‐Trill Maria , Holland Jimmie 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe increased awareness of the cancer patient's psychosocial needs in the past few years has led to the development of training programs for health professionals working in oncology. Given the diversity of training goals, professionals involved in the care of patients, institutional resources and local needs, there is a lack of uniform criteria to train specialists in the field of psycho‐oncology. This paper describes a model for a one‐year curriculum the objective of which is to establish minimal standards of training to become a professional who is subspecialized in adult or child and adolescent psycho‐oncology. The curriculum primarily consists of a didactic and a skills development components. Selection of trainees and faculty as well as teaching tools and evaluation of the curriculum are described. The second part of the model curriculum contains specific recommendations that address the particular educational needs of specific oncological disciplines (oncologists, nurses, social workers) and volunteers. In addition, the need for multidisciplinary teams in oncology settings is emphasized. Defining minimum standards for training across institutions and even nations will not only improve patient care but will also contribute to define psycho‐oncology as a discipline.
No news is not good news: Information preferences of patients with cancer
Authors: Fallowfield Lesley , Ford Sarah , Lewis Shon 
Published: February 2007

AbstractMany patients express dissatisfaction with clinicians' information‐giving. When the information is complex or potentially upsetting, clinicians may deliberately withhold information, especially if they lack the skills to handle patients' emotional reactions. Others underestimate the amount of information patients require. In this study, a heterogeneous sample of 101 patients participating in a trial assessing the benefits of receiving audio‐taped recordings of their ‘bad news’ consultations, completed a questionnaire similar to Cassileth's Information Styles Questionnaire. This questionnaire assessed patients' preferences for both general and specific information about their disease and its treatment. Of the sample, 94% expressed a desire for as much information as possible from their oncologist, be it good or bad; 4% wished for information only if it was good news and 2% declined extra information, preferring to leave things up to the doctor. Patients wanting less specific or no extra information were older and had poorer prognoses than those wanting full disclosure. Although precise information needs varied between patients, this study showed that patients with cancer in general wish to be well‐informed about diagnosis, prognosis, therapeutic options and side‐effects.
Adjustment of married couples and unmarried women to gynaecological cancer
Authors: Gilbar Ora , Steiner Mariana , Atad Jack 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThis two‐part study, conducted at the Department of Oncology, Linn Clinic, Haifa, Israel, compared the psychological and psychosocial adjustment to illness of 44 gynaecological cancer patients to that of their spouses, and the adjustment to illness of these 44 married patients compared to 18 unmarried gynaecological cancer patients. In the first part of the study, differences in psychological distress between marriage partners, measured by Brief Symptom Inventory (BSI), were found, the distress of the husband being more severe than that of the wife. In the second part of the study, the psychological distress of unmarried women was found to be more severe than that of married women.
Factors influencing nonadherence to mobile breast screening
Authors: Sellick Scott M. , Charles Karen , Woodbeck Heather , Kyle M. Joan 
Published: February 2007

AbstractWhile some generalizations are possible in accounting for nonadherence to prevention and early detection programs, explanations for compliance are highly specific to the behaviour in question, the disease site and type, and the unique characteristics of the population. The present study identified specific barriers to adherence in a typical northern community serviced by a mobile breast screening van. Sixty‐one percent of all eligible women in the community participated in a telephone administered questionnaire. Of the total population, 83% of all attending and 36% of all nonattending women were sampled. Six variables produced an overall correct classification rate of 82%. Lack of active social encouragement, a perceived lack of information, and the actual number of concerns expressed are discussed as primary barriers to mobile breast screening attendance. The importance of family and friends as encouragers and as channels of media information and the power of physician encouragement in recruitment is explored.
Relative contribution of the karnofsky performance status scale in a multi‐measure assessment of quality of life in cancer patients
Authors: Adams Serrhel G. , Britt Dana M. , Godding Phillip R. , Khansur Tawfig I. , Bulcourf Bernard B. 
Published: February 2007

AbstractThe Karnofsky Performance Status (KPS) scale is the most widely used measure of functional or performance status. While the KPS cannot be used as a sole measure of quality of life, some suggestions have been made that the KPS can be used as a measure of one component of the quality of life construct. However, few data are available supporting the use of the KPS in such a multi‐measure assessment. The current study investigated the relation between KPS ratings and a measure of quality of life as well as measures of domains closely associated with quality of life (e.g. depression, social support). The subjects were 86 male veteran cancer patients receiving treatment for a first‐time cancer. The results indicated that the KPS was not significantly correlated with quality of life, social support or depression. KPS ratings were significantly related to education, cancer stage and mortality. Although the results support the use of the KPS as a measure of functional status, they do not support the use of the KPS as a component of a multi‐measure assessment of quality of life. Implications and future research directions are discussed.
Predictors of psychological distress, sexual dysfunction and physical functioning among women with upper extremity lymphedema related to breast cancer
Authors: Passik Steven D. , Newman Margo L. , Brennan Michael , Tunkel Richard 
Published: February 2007

AbstractSixty‐nine women presenting for rehabilitation treatment for upper extremity lymphedema (UEL) were assessed by physical examination and validated self‐report assessment instruments measuring demographics, psychological distress, sexual functioning, social support, coping style, pain and functional status. Statistical analyses revealed that women with UEL had high levels of psychological distress, and high levels of sexual, functional and social dysfunction. There were no linear relationships between severity of UEL and levels of distress. Women with UEL in their dominant hand, however, had more distress and less overall sexual satisfaction than those with UEL in their non‐dominant limb. Women with pain of any intensity were the most distressed, and had the most significant difficulties in psychological and physical functioning. Women with pain also perceived significantly less interpersonal support than those without pain. Virtually none were receiving pain treatment. An avoidant coping style and low perceived social support were significant correlates of psychological distress. UEL poses significant functional, social and sexual functioning problems in women following breast cancer treatment. An assessment of pain, as well as social support and coping, might help identify those in need of consultation by psychiatry and pain specialists. Patients may also benefit from psychological support and sexual therapy in addition to physical rehabilitation. A psycho‐educational and support group within the clinic may prevent the worsening of UEL through the adoption of preventive strategies, maximizing compliance with rehabilitative efforts, augmenting better coping methods through group support, decreasing isolation that accompanies the condition, and facilitating the identification of patients in need of formal consultation.