Cancer nursing
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Women with breast cancer undergoing radiation therapy (RT) are at increased risk for depressive symptoms. However, only 4 studies specifically evaluated changes in and predictors of depressive symptoms in these patients. ⋯ Nurses could use knowledge of the predictors to identify patients at risk for depressive symptoms and to educate patients about how depressive symptoms may change during and following RT for breast cancer.
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Survivors of childhood cancer are a growing population in society. These young people have a high risk of developing chronic health problems with a potential strong impact on their lives. How a childhood cancer experience affects survivors in adolescence has been studied to a limited extent; an increased understanding of this young group is needed to improve follow-up care. ⋯ Follow-up care is needed that can identify those young survivors of childhood cancer having trouble with daily life and offer them support to strengthen their resources in managing difficulties in relation to having had cancer.
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The meaning and role of hope in parents of children with life-threatening illnesses remain relatively unstudied. ⋯ Understanding parental hope may assist healthcare professionals to avoid overloading parents with too much information at once. Healthcare professionals can also ensure that social support from family, community, and the medical center is available for parents and that their physical and emotional needs are being met to ensure that they maintain hope to best care for their child with cancer.
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Multicenter Study
Measuring vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
Vincristine-induced peripheral neuropathy (VIPN) is difficult to quantify in children. ⋯ The TNS-PV may be a useful tool for assessing vincristine toxicity in children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia.
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Cancer in young adults is rare, but the intensity of cancer treatment increases the risk of physical and psychosocial impacts on patients' entire lives. Young adult survivors are underrepresented in research, and knowledge of cancer survivors in this age group is scarce, especially knowledge of transition from cancer treatment to everyday life. ⋯ The results suggest a major shortcoming in both preparation for survivorship, multidisciplinary follow-ups, and knowledge. A shift to a more holistic perspective in survivorship care is suggested.