Gillian Prue

Fatigue in gynecological cancer patients during and after anticancer treatment.

CONTEXT Research has indicated that individuals with gynecological cancer experience severe fatigue. OBJECTIVES This longitudinal survey aimed to analyze the fatigue experienced over the course of one year by a gynecological cancer population, to determine if the fatigue was more severe than that reported by females without cancer, and to identify variables associated with cancer-related fatigue (CRF). METHODS Data were collected over a 12-month period before, during, and after anticancer treatment. Fatigue was assessed using the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory-Short Form. Participants with cancer also completed the Rotterdam Symptom Checklist. RESULTS Sixty-five cancer patients (mean age = 57.4 years, standard deviation [SD] = 13.9) and 60 control subjects (mean age = 55.4 years, SD = 13.6) participated. Descriptive analysis and repeated measurements modeling indicated that the cancer participants reported worse fatigue than the noncancer individuals before, during, and after anticancer treatment (P < 0.001) and that the level of fatigue in persons with cancer changed with time (P = 0.02). A forward stepwise regression demonstrated that psychological distress level was the only independent predictor of CRF during anticancer treatment (P < 0.00), explaining 44% of the variance in fatigue. After treatment, both psychological distress level (P < 0.00) and physical symptom distress (P = 0.03) were independent predictors of fatigue, accounting for 81% of the variance. CONCLUSION Psychological distress level is an important indicator of CRF in gynecological cancer. Interventions focused on the reduction of psychological distress may help alleviate CRF.

Exploring and comparing the experience and coping behaviour of men and women with colorectal cancer after chemotherapy treatment A qualitative longitudinal study

Objectives: Men have higher incidence and mortality rates for nearly all cancers. They are less likely than women to utilise cancer information services and other social support services. The aim of this study was to explore and compare the experience and coping behaviour of men and women after treatment for colorectal cancer (CRC).

Fatigue in gynaecological cancer patients: A pilot study

RationaleFatigue is a frequent complaint of women with cancer. However, the incidence of fatigue has not been well studied, in particular gynaecological cancer, which despite its prevalence has received minimal investigation.Goals of workThe study aims were (1) to explore the symptoms experienced in a gynaecological cancer population, primarily fatigue and (2) to determine the acceptability of a fatigue questionnaire for use in a longitudinal survey.Patients and methodsOver the course of 1 month, women with gynaecological cancer attending a Regional Cancer Centre completed a demographic and symptom questionnaire and the Multidimensional Fatigue Symptom Inventory—Short Form (MFSI-SF).Main resultsOf the 32 individuals approached, 30 agreed to participate (mean age, 61 years; the most common treatment received was surgery followed by chemotherapy n=11; mean time from commencement of treatment, including surgery = 3 months). All participants completed the MFSI-SF. Tiredness was the most commonly reported symptom, experienced by 90% of subjects and the most frequently stated worst symptom, reported by 23.3%. Furthermore, 23 of 27 subjects reported that tiredness interfered completely with their daily living. The MFSI-SF mean total fatigue score was 14.4 (SD 15.9), ranging from −15 to 50. The possible total fatigue score ranges from −24 to 96.ConclusionDespite the heterogeneous nature of the group, all participants completed the MFSI-SF. The study suggests that fatigue could be a problem for this population group. Thus, a longitudinal survey using the MFSI-SF to investigate the phenomenon further would appear feasible and justified.

Self-reported psychosocial needs and health-related quality of life of colorectal cancer survivors

PURPOSE OF THE RESEARCH To investigate the prevalence and nature of unmet needs among colorectal cancer (CRC) survivors and the relationship between needs and quality of life (QoL). METHODS AND SAMPLE Using the Northern Ireland Cancer Registry (NICR) as a sampling frame and working in collaboration with primary care physicians or GPs, the Cancer Survivors Unmet Needs (CaSUN) questionnaire and the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors Scale (QLACS) were posted to a randomly selected sample of 600 CRC survivors. KEY RESULTS Approximately 69% (413/600) met eligibility criteria for participating in the study; and 30% (124/413) responded to the survey. A comparative analysis of NICR data between respondents and non-respondents did not indicate any systematic bias except that respondents appeared to be younger (65 years vs. 67 years). Approximately 60% of respondents reported having no unmet needs, with 40% reporting one or more unmet health and social care needs such as fear of recurrence, information needs, difficulty obtaining travel insurance and car parking problems. QoL was significantly lower for CRC survivors who reported an unmet need. Highest scores (poorer QoL) were reported for fatigue, welfare benefits and distress recurrence. CONCLUSIONS Overall, the majority of CRC survivors who had care needs appeared to have needs that were mainly psychosocial in nature and these unmet needs were related to poorer QoL.

A randomized controlled trial of a self-management psychosocial intervention for men with prostate cancer and their partners: a study protocol

BACKGROUND Little is known about interventions to help men and their partners cope with the after effects of prostate cancer treatment. The lack of in-depth descriptions of the intervention content is hindering the identification of which intervention (or component of an intervention) works. AIM To describe the development and evaluation of the content of a self-management psychosocial intervention for men with prostate cancer and their partners. DESIGN A feasibility randomized controlled trial including structure, process, and outcome analysis. METHODS This 9-week intervention commences on completion of treatment and consists of three group and two telephone sessions. The intervention focuses on symptom management, sexual dysfunction, uncertainty management, positive thinking and couple communication. Forty-eight couples will be assigned to either the intervention or a control group receiving usual care. Participants will be assessed at baseline, immediately postintervention and at 1 and 6 months postintervention. Outcome measures for patients and caregivers include self-efficacy, quality of life, symptom distress, uncertainty, benefits of illness, health behaviour, and measures of couple communication and support. An additional caregiver assessment will be completed by the partner. DISCUSSION The main purpose of this feasibility study is to investigate the acceptability of the CONNECT programme to men with prostate cancer and their partners and to gain feedback from the participants and facilitators to make changes to and enhance the programme. Reasons why men do not want to participate will be collated to enhance recruitment in the future. We will also test recruitment strategies, randomization procedures, and the acceptability of the questionnaires. Ethical approval granted December 2010.

Human Papillomavirus (HPV): Making the case for “Immunisation for All”

Human papillomavirus (HPV) contributes to the most common sexually transmitted infections, with repeated and persistent infection with particular types causing disease in both men and women. Infection with low-risk HPV types can lead to genital warts and benign lesions of the oral cavity, while high-risk types can cause various HPV-related malignancies. The incidence of head and neck cancers has been rising in the past number of decades mostly due to oropharyngeal cancer linked to HPV infection. HPV vaccination has been shown to be effective for cervical and other anogenital HPV-related cancers, and there is significant potential for HPV vaccination to prevent oropharyngeal cancers, given that the HPV types implicated in this disease can be protected against by the HPV vaccine. Few countries have implemented a universal HPV vaccination programme for males and females, with many countries arguing that female-only vaccination programmes protect males via herd immunity and that men who have sex with men will be protected via targeted vaccination programmes. We argue these may be limited in their effectiveness. We propose that the most effective, practical, ethical and potentially cost-effective solution is universal HPV vaccination that might lead to control of HPV-related diseases in men and women alike.

Vaccinate boys as well as girls against HPV: it works, and it may be cost effective

Protecting boys as well as girls by vaccinating against human papillomavirus may cut the incidence of genital warts and several cancers among both sexes, writes Gillian Prue

Assessing the needs of informal caregivers to cancer survivors: a review of the instruments

Cancer may impact negatively on an informal caregivers health long after treatment has ended. This review identifies the self‐report measures currently in use to measure caregivers need for support and determines their scientific soundness and clinical utility.

Active surveillance for favorable-risk prostate cancer: Is there a greater psychological impact than previously thought? A systematic, mixed studies literature review.

Active surveillance (AS) allows men with favorable‐risk prostate cancer to avoid or postpone active treatment and hence spares potential adverse effects for a significant proportion of these patients. Active surveillance may create an additional emotional burden for these patients.

A multiple streams analysis of the decisions to fund gender-neutral HPV vaccination in Canada

In Canada, the human papillomavirus (HPV) vaccine is licensed and recommended for females and males. Although all Canadian jurisdictions fund school-based HPV vaccine programs for girls, only six jurisdictions fund school-based HPV vaccination for boys. The research aimed to analyze the factors that underpin government decisions to fund HPV vaccine for boys using a theoretical policy model, Kingdons Multiple Streams framework. This approach assesses policy development by examining three concurrent, but independent, streams that guide analysis: Problem Stream, Policy Stream, and Politics Stream. Analysis from the Problem Stream highlights that males are affected by HPV-related diseases and are involved in transmitting HPV infection to their sexual partners. Policy Stream analysis makes clear that while the inclusion of males in HPV vaccine programs is suitable, equitable, and acceptable; there is debate regarding cost-effectiveness. Politics Stream analysis identifies the perspectives of six different stakeholder groups and highlights the contribution of government officials at the provincial and territorial level. Kingdons Multiple Streams framework helps clarify the opportunities and barriers for HPV vaccine policy change. This analysis identified that the interpretation of cost-effectiveness models and advocacy of stakeholders such as citizen-advocates and HPV-affected politicians have been particularly important in galvanizing policy change.