Oncology nursing forum
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To describe symptom type and reporting patterns found in spontaneously initiated telephone calls placed to an ambulatory cancer center practice. ⋯ Report of symptoms by telephone can provide nurses unique insight into patient-centered needs. Although pain has been an important focus of education and research for decades, it remains a priority for individuals with cancer. A wide range in symptom reporting by telephone was evident.
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Oncology nursing forum · Sep 2013
Sleep, mood, and quality of life in patients receiving treatment for lung cancer.
To distinguish relationships among subjective and objective characteristics of sleep, mood, and quality of life (QOL) in patients receiving treatment for lung cancer. ⋯ A high frequency of sleep disturbances in patients receiving treatment for lung cancer was evident, and poor sleepers had lower QOL. Sleep disturbances may be more related to lung cancer symptoms than anxiety or depression. Improving lung cancer symptoms such as dyspnea may improve sleep.
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Oncology nursing forum · Sep 2013
ReviewShared decision making among individuals with cancer in non-Western cultures: a literature review.
To examine the extent to which shared decision making is a concept addressed within the published, empirical oncology decision-making research originating from non-Western countries from January 2000 to January 2012 and provide an overview of the outcomes of this research. ⋯ Shared decision making may be new to patients from non-Western cultures, necessitating assessment, education, and support. Non-Western patients may value having family and friends accompany them when a cancer diagnosis is given, but assumptions based on culture alone should not be made. Nurses should determine patient preferences for diagnosis disclosure, information, and participation in decision making.
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Oncology nursing forum · Sep 2013
Comparative StudyAssessment of external lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer: a comparison of four scales.
To compare available grading and staging scales that measure external lymphedema in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) and to assess problems and gaps related to these tools. ⋯ Early identification and accurate documentation of head and neck lymphedema are critically important to prevent lymphedema progress. However, existing grading criteria failed to capture important characteristics of external head and neck lymphedema. More research efforts need to be made to address this under-recognized issue.
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Oncology nursing forum · Jul 2013
Clinical TrialFeasibility of a targeted breast health education intervention for Chinese American immigrant women.
To assess the feasibility and acceptability of a targeted educational intervention to increase mammography screening among Chinese American women. ⋯ Targeted breast health intervention is feasible for improving mammography screening among Chinese immigrant women. Educating these women about early detection is important, as the first sign of breast cancer usually shows on a woman's mammogram before it can be felt or any other symptoms are present. Immigrant women may be too busy to dedicate proper time to self-care behaviors; therefore, making it easier and faster for them to obtain a mammogram may improve the screening rate.