Trauma Informed Care and early distress identification in oncology settings
Cancer is not only a physical illness but also a source of substantial emotional and psychological trauma and distress for patients. Oncology-related trauma stems from the uncertainty of diagnosis, invasive treatments, and the potential threat to life, leading to emotional distress, anxiety, and in some cases, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Addressing this trauma early is essential for patient well-being, as unresolved distress and trauma can exacerbate mental health challenges and hinder treatment adherence. Trauma-Informed Care (TIC) offers a framework to mitigate these issues by focusing on safety, trustworthiness, choice, collaboration, and empowerment in care settings. Organizational attention to trauma is critical, as healthcare environments that fail to address emotional distress can contribute to patient dissatisfaction, higher healthcare costs, and poorer outcomes. Oncology Social Workers (OSW) are professional that are positioned to lead the implementation of TIC due to their training in psychosocial care and trauma identification. OSWs role in healthcare encompasses not just individual patient support, but also educating healthcare teams, advocating for system-wide changes, and creating trauma-informed practices that benefit both patients, staff, and organizations. This manuscript discusses the implementation of TIC in oncology settings, recommending the use of a Trauma-Informed Assessment Protocol, such as the Distress Thermometer (DT), to facilitate early identification and intervention of distress, ultimately improving patient outcomes and organizational effectiveness.
The meaning-making process in the re-entry phase: A qualitative focus group study with patients treated for breast cancer or melanoma
After completion of curative cancer treatment patients enter the re-entry phase, which is characterized by the task to pick up life again. While having to resume their former roles, patients experience the loss of normality and face existential concerns. A sense of meaning and purpose may help in dealing with changes in life and existential concerns. The aim of this study is to gain insight in the meaning-making process of patients treated for breast cancer or melanoma in the re-entry phase in order to develop an intervention to support picking up life after a long treatment process including systemic treatment.
Quality of life and unmet needs of late-stage and metastatic colorectal cancer survivors: An integrative review
The purpose of this review was to identify and synthesize the published literature on Quality of Life (QoL) and unmet needs of late-stage (American Joint Committee on Cancer [AJCC] III) and metastatic (AJCC IV) CRC survivors.
Understanding the patient-spouse communication experience during chemotherapy for gastric cancer: A qualitative study
This study examines how patients with gastric cancer and their spouses communicate about the illness, assessing the impact of positive or negative communication on their psychological adaptation and the intimacy of their relationship as a couple.
Scanxiety in survivors of pancreatic cancer
To understand the scanxiety experience in pancreatic cancer (PC) survivors following curative surgical resection.
Association between positive affect, flourishing, quality of life, and psychological distress in allogeneic hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
To examine the associations between state positive psychological well-being (PPWB) constructs, mood, and quality of life (QOL) in hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) survivors.
Development of the Partner Version of the Self-Efficacy to Communicate about Sex and Intimacy (SECSI-PV) Scale in the Context of Cancer Survivorship
This study aimed to develop the Partner Version of the Self-Efficacy to Communicate about Sex and Intimacy (SECSI-PV) scale.
Adaptation and feasibility of the Swedish Promoting Resilience in Stress Management intervention targeting adolescents and young adults newly diagnosed with cancer
To describe the adaptation and feasibility of the Swedish version of the Promoting Resilience in Stress Management (PRISM) intervention among adolescents and young adults (AYAs) newly diagnosed with cancer.
A bibliometric analysis of studies on death anxiety in patients with cancer
This study evaluates the evolution and focal points of research on death anxiety among cancer patients over the last three decades, utilizing bibliometric analyses. We analyzed publications related to death anxiety among cancer patients from January 1994 to January 2024 using data from the Web of Science Core Collection. Bibliometric indicators such as the number of publications, leading countries, institutions, and research themes were examined. A total of 2,602 papers from 286 institutions across 97 countries were identified. There has been a significant increase in research interest, particularly between 2014 and 2023, with a peak in 2022. The United States and Harvard University were found to be the most prolific contributors. Major research themes include quality of life, palliative care, mental health, and cancer-specific concerns. The results highlight the rapid development in the field of death anxiety research among cancer patients, with an increase in publications and emerging research themes. However, there is limited international and institutional collaboration. The study underscores the need for enhanced cooperative efforts to advance understanding and research in this area, suggesting directions for future research.
Survey of families' psychosocial needs in the context of pediatric cancer: a first step toward the participatory development of a group intervention
Pediatric cancer is associated with stressors that increase the risk for distress across family members. Psychosocial support varies and may not meet family needs and preferences. This study investigated family members' points of view regarding psychosocial service needs, as a first step of a large participative research project aiming to develop interventions grounded in key stakeholders' perspectives.
Psychosocial interventions for post-treatment haematological cancer survivors: An integrative review
To synthesize literature regarding the implementation and evaluation of psychosocial interventions designed to reduce distress in post-treatment haematological cancer survivors.
A descriptive study of the connections between social risk and healthcare utilization with supportive oncology care
This study utilized social risk data in the electronic heath record collected as part of routine clinical practice and examined relationships with supportive oncology care contacts and healthcare utilization.
Disparities in fertility preservation discussions among sexual and gender minority cancer patients and their cancer care providers
Cancer providers are advised to inform their reproductive aged patients about fertility preservation given the potential for treatment-related infertility. How consistently fertility preservation discussions (FPDs) occur is understudied in sexual and gender minority (SGM) cancer patients. The effects of bias and heteronormativity may reduce the rate of FPDs. We identified the frequency and correlates of FPD in a sample of SGM cancer patients.
Experiencing the COVID-19 health crisis: Quality of life of young to mid-life hematology patients
This study questions the quality of life of young to mid-life hematology patients during lockdowns in France.
Understanding and tackling cancer inequities: What opportunities does intersectionality offer researchers, policymakers, and providers? A scoping review
We summarised the international evidence relating to the role of intersectionality in patients' lived experience of inequities along the cancer care pathway. We produced guidance to use intersectionality in future research.
The role of emotion regulation through mindfulness in oncological patients: A pilot study
Traditional MBSR or MBTC programs do not delve deeply enough into emotional regulation, which is especially relevant in oncological patients. The aim of this study was to analyze the benefits of a mindfulness-based emotion regulation program in adult oncological patients.
Using a community-engaged research process to plan, implement, and evaluate a cancer education program to improve knowledge and screening intentions among African American men
We assessed acceptability, feasibility, and preliminary efficacy of a culturally appropriate, cancer education program to improve cancer knowledge, attitudes, subjective norms, and screening intentions for oropharynx, colon, and prostate cancers among African American men. We detailed the community-engaged research process used for African American men to design, implement, and evaluate the program.
Psychosocial distress and psychosocial resources in couples facing non-melanoma skin cancers and malignant melanoma
Skin cancer is the most common cancer worldwide and comprises various non-melanoma skin cancer (NMCS) diagnoses and malignant melanoma (MM). It places a psychological burden on patients and their spouses. The present study aims to investigate psychological distress, temporal changes of psychosocial resources (PR), as well as dyadic dynamics of psychological distress and PR in patients with NMSC or MM and their spouses.
The effectiveness of live music intervention on psychological distress among adolescent and young adult patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation
To explore the effects of live music to decrease psychological distress in adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients undergoing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT).
Subjective well-being among Iranian breast cancer patients: Exploring the influential role of psychological capital
Breast cancer is a prevalent and emotionally challenging condition that profoundly affects women worldwide. Effectively managing the mental and emotional dimensions of this disease is crucial for the holistic well-being of patients. Psychological capital (PsyCap) has emerged as a pivotal psychological construct with the potential to effectively address these challenges. This study aims to explore the influential role of PsyCap and its constructs on the subjective well-being (SWB) of Iranian breast cancer patients.
A powerful safety net: Social support moderates the association of quality of life deficits with suicidal ideation in long-term childhood cancer survivors
Cancer survivors are at risk for suicidality. We aimed to expand the knowledge about protective factors and their interplay with risk factors by testing social support as a modifier of the association of Quality of Life (QoL) deficits with suicidal ideation.
The interaction of family functioning and disease- and treatment-related factors on quality of life for children after cancer
Children with cancer experience low quality of life (QOL), yet heterogeneity underscores a need to understand how risk and resilience factors interact. This study evaluated if family functioning relates to QOL differentially depending on diagnosis and treatment intensity.
An exploration into the relationship between insomnia and repetitive negative thinking among cancer survivors
Insomnia and repetitive negative thinking (RNT) are both prevalent among cancer survivors, yet little work has investigated their interrelationship. To explore the hypothesis that RNT and insomnia are related, we conducted secondary analyses on data from a pilot clinical trial of cognitive behavioral therapy for insomnia (CBT-I) for cancer survivors.
Investigating and quantifying obsessive-compulsive and related disorders among childhood cancer survivors: a brief report
Long-term psychological impacts are well--documented among childhood cancer survivors. To our knowledge, however, no research has been conducted to investigate obsessive--compulsive and related disorders (OCRD) among childhood -cancer survivors (CCS).
An intervention module for caregivers of children with acute lymphoblastic leukemia (ALL)
Childhood cancer caregivers report psychological distress and unmet psychosocial needs, affecting outcomes for their children. An experimental study was carried out to measure the effectiveness of an intervention in addressing traumatic stress, depression and anxiety.
The Body Appreciation Scale-2: Psychometric evaluation of the Puerto Rican Spanish version among women aged ≥ 50 years who are breast cancer survivors
Self-perceived body image may impact women's well-being and levels of depressive symptomatology after cancer-related treatment. The Body Appreciation Scale-2 (BAS-2) is a 10-item, unidimensional tool used to assess body appreciation, a facet of body image. A culturally relevant version of the BAS-2 was needed for the Spanish spoken in Puerto Rico. A cross-cultural adaptation of the BAS-2 for Spanish spoken in Puerto Rico was conducted and tested its psychometric properties, using a methodological design. It was hypothesized that the BAS-2 adapted for Puerto Rican Spanish would have an internal consistency with a Cronbach α value greater than 0.70 and a unidimensional structure; and that body appreciation would be positively and significantly correlated to mental health and would be negatively and significantly correlated to depression and body mass index.
Participants' perceptions support the coexistence of benefits and burdens of cancer clinical trial participation
To advance oncology treatment for adults, comprehensive understanding of how and why people decide to enroll in, remain in, and withdraw from cancer clinical trials is needed. While quantitative findings provide insights into these benefits and burdens, they provide limited understanding of how adults with cancer appraise their situation and approach decisions to undertake a clinical trial. The goal of this mixed methods analysis was to conceptualize participants' assessment of benefits and burdens related to cancer clinical trial participation.
A pre-post evaluation of a digital intervention to improve psychosocial outcomes of caregivers of people living with cancer in Vietnam
To evaluate a co-designed intervention using digital resources "Vietnam Cancer Caring Coping" (V-CCC) on the health literacy, depression, and quality of life of caregivers supporting a cancer patient in oncology hospitals in Vietnam.
The essential and evolving nature of oncology social work: Accomplishments and impact, 2010-present
This paper demonstrates the essential nature of oncology social work and the critical role that oncology social workers (OSWs) play in the achievement of high-quality cancer care that improves patient outcomes, contains cost, advances population health, reduces provider burn-out among healthcare providers, and does it in a manner that addresses disparities and achieves equity. To this end, this paper's purpose is two-fold: (1) to review and demonstrate OSW contributions to the advancement of comprehensive cancer care over the last 15 years, and (2) to consider next steps for the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) and the Oncology Social Work profession to achieve its mission and calling. To enhance the viability and security of OSWs and the professional organizations that support them, this report summarizes a breadth and depth of work and includes recommendations for the profession.