Medische aspecten

Abstract: This paper aimed to systematically review the (1) prevalence, (2) risk factors, (3) interventions, and (4) measurement instruments associated with psychosocial function decline in radiation therapy (RT) patients.

Abstract: This study aimed to investigate the prevalence of and factors associated with non-adherence to medication amongst a sample of breast cancer patients. 131 women with stable disease were interviewed and completed standardised psychological measures. 55% of women reported non-adherence to medication frequently or occasionally, with younger women and those who disliked taking their medication being significantly less adherent (P = 0.015, P = 0.001).

Abstract: Adequate knowledge of prognosis is a prerequisite for planning appropriate end-of-life (EOL) care. However, questions remain about whether the association between prognostic under- standing and EOL-care intensity reflects terminally ill cancer patients’ preferences for EOL care. This study investigated the associations between accurate prognostic understanding and EOL-care prefer- ences, and identified correlates of accurate prognostic understanding.

Abstract:Fatigue is the most frequently occurring and distressing symptom in patients with advanced cancer, caused by multiple factors. Neither a specific histological diagnosis of malignancy nor the type of anticancer treatment seem to be strongly related to fatigue, which support the idea that other factors may play a role. This study investigated to what extent the model of fatigue-perpetuating factors that is known for cancer survivors was applicable for patients with advanced cancer.

Abstract The principal reason for childhood cancer treatment failure in low-income countries is treatment abandonment, the most severe form of nonadherence. Two often neglected factors that may contribute to treatment abandonment are as follows: (a) lack of information and guidance by doctors, along with the negative beliefs of family and friends advising parents, which contributes to misconceptions regarding cancer and its treatment, and (b) a widespread policy in public hospitals by which children are retained after doctor’s discharge until medical bills are settled.

Abstract: Neurocognitive late effects after childhood acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL) are well- documented, but their impact on quality of life (QOL) is not well understood. In this multi-site study, we examined the relative influence of neurocognitive functioning, steroid randomization (prednisone vs. dexamethasone), and demographic characteristics on QOL in first-remission survivors of childhood ALL.

Abstract: To provide more insight into user perceptions related to e-loyalty towards a cancer informa- tion website. This is needed to assure adequate provision of high quality information during the full process of cancer treatment—from diagnosis to after care—and an important first step towards opti- mizing cancer information websites in order to promote e-loyalty.

Abstract: This secondary analysis of data from a randomised controlled trial explores associations between common symptom clusters and evaluates pre-treatment to post-treatment changes in clinical levels of these symptoms following cognitive behaviour therapy for insomnia (CBT-I).