Cancer nursing
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Cancer is the leading cause of nonaccidental morbidity and mortality among young adults (YAs) in the United States. Stem cell transplantation (SCT), a treatment modality for a variety of YA malignancies, often requires prolonged hospitalization and immune-compromising treatment regimens. Stem cell transplantation may isolate YAs physically and emotionally, contributing to uncertainty about treatment processes, outcomes, and long-term sequelae. Studies in this population suggest that uncertainty can contribute to difficulty accomplishing basic developmental tasks. Few studies have examined the experiences of YAs in active cancer treatment, particularly those undergoing SCT. ⋯ This study provides a foundation for addressing the psychosocial needs of YAs hospitalized for SCT, paying particular attention to the development of specific interventions.
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Pain, difficulty swallowing, dry mouth, taste change, appetite loss, and mouth sores are associated with radiotherapy (RT). Knowledge of individual symptom patterns (ISPs) and differences among patients during RT can provide vital information for evaluation and delivery of patient-tailored care. ⋯ Identifying ISPs provided information about symptom variations among patients with oropharyngeal and laryngeal cancer, which can influence symptom management strategies used by providers. Study techniques used can be useful for nurses when managing patients' symptoms. In the future, information using real-time data visualized as patterns could be used to manage multiple symptoms experienced by patients during treatment.
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Multicenter Study
Uncertainty, Self-efficacy, and Self-care Behavior in Patients With Breast Cancer Undergoing Chemotherapy in China.
Treatment for breast cancer causes uncertainty in the face of new and distressing experiences and often results in the need for self-care. Identifying how uncertainty influences self-care behavior is essential to design interventions that enhance self-care capacity and improve patient outcomes. ⋯ Self-care intervention programs should include strategies to reduce uncertainty and enhance self-efficacy in coping with breast cancer treatment.
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Multicenter Study
Preferences for Aggressive End-of-life Care and Their Determinants Among Taiwanese Terminally Ill Cancer Patients.
Studies on factors influencing preferences for aggressive end-of-life (EOL) care have focused predominantly on preferred goals of EOL and seldom comprehensively incorporate patients' predisposing, enabling, and need factors into their analyses. ⋯ Terminally ill cancer patients at risk of preferring aggressive EOL care should receive interventions to help them appropriately weigh the burdens and benefits of such aggressive treatments.
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Comparative Study
Comparison of Foot Bathing and Foot Massage in Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy.
In a clinical setting, patients have been observed to complain of discomfort and to discontinue treatment because of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN), but few data exist regarding the quality of life in these patients in Korea. ⋯ Foot bathing is more useful as supportive care with respect to nonpharmacologic interventions for alleviating CIPN and promoting the quality of life in cancer patients.