scholarly journals EVA-Scalp: Evaluation of Patient Satisfaction with a Scalp Cooling Device to Prevent Chemotherapy-Induced Alopecia in Breast Cancer Patients

Breast Care ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (2) ◽  
pp. 171-177
Author(s):  
Franz-Ferdinand Bitto ◽  
Alexander König ◽  
Thuy  Phan-Brehm ◽  
Thomas Vallbracht ◽  
Julian Gregor Koch ◽  
...  

Purpose: Scalp cooling (SC) offers a chance to reduce hair loss (HL), but patient satisfaction, the effect on well-being, as well as patient selection criteria have not been sufficiently assessed yet. Methods: In the EVAScalp trial, SC was offered to 70 breast cancer patients who received chemotherapy between November 2015 and September 2018. For SC, the Paxman-Orbis-II System was used. Satisfaction was measured by a questionnaire evaluating the level of depression with the WHO-5 well-being index (WHO-5) plus questions addressing the patient’s experiences and side effects using the SC device. To evaluate efficacy, documentation by photo, by a physician, and by an HL-diary was conducted. Results: Regarding efficacy, a significant difference between chemotherapy regimens is seen. Anthracycline-based therapies led to a stop of SC in 71% of the patients, whereas taxane-based therapies without anthracyclines were associated with a high acceptance of SC, and 88% of patients with paclitaxel-based therapies continued SC throughout their chemotherapy. Overall, only 7.69% of the patients stopped because of side effects. As an indicator for quality of life, WHO-5 was higher (65.8%) in patients with successful SC compared to in patients who stopped SC because of HL or side effects (only 53.0%). The majority of patients (82.22%) with successful SC would recommend SC to other patients. Conclusions: Patients tolerated SC as long as HL was successfully prevented. The well-being of patients with successful SC was significantly higher than that of patients who stopped SC prematurely. In general, SC is a promising approach and improves patient well-being, but there are still limitations to its utility depending on the chemotherapy regimen used.

2018 ◽  
Vol 17 (3) ◽  
pp. 602-618 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yuanqing Pan ◽  
Kehu Yang ◽  
Xiue Shi ◽  
Haiqian Liang ◽  
Xiping Shen ◽  
...  

Importance. Acupuncture can help reduce unpleasant side effects associated with endocrine therapy for breast cancer. Nevertheless, comprehensive evaluation of current evidence from randomized controlled trials(RCTs) is lacking. Objective. To estimate the efficacy of acupuncture for the reduction of hormone therapy-related side effects in breast cancer patients. Evidence review. RCTs of acupuncture in breast cancer patients that examined reductions in hormone therapy–related side effects were retrieved from PubMed, EMBASE, Web of Science, Ovid MEDLINE, and Cochrane Library databases through April 2016. The quality of the included studies was evaluated according to the 5.2 Cochrane Handbook standards, and CONSORT and STRICTA (Revised Standards for Reporting Interventions in Clinical Trials of Acupuncture) statements. Intervention. Interventions included conventional acupuncture treatment compared with no treatment, placebo, or conventional pharmaceutical medication. Major outcome measures were the alleviation of frequency and symptoms and the presence of hormone therapy–related side effects. Findings/Results. A total of 17 RCTs, including a total of 810 breast cancer patients were examined. The methodological quality of the trials was relatively rigorous in terms of randomization, blinding, and sources of bias. Compared with control therapies, the pooled results suggested that acupuncture had moderate effects in improving stiffness. No significant differences were observed in hot flashes, fatigue, pain, gastrointestinal symptoms, Kupperman index, general well-being, physical well-being, tumor necrosis factor (TNF), and interleukin (IL). Conclusions. Acupuncture therapy appears to be potentially useful in relieving functional stiffness. However, further large-sample trials with evidence-based design are still needed to confirm these findings.


2018 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement 2) ◽  
pp. 81s-81s
Author(s):  
S. Chillakunnel Hussain Rawther ◽  
M. Shivananda Pai ◽  
D. Fernandes ◽  
J. Chakrabarty ◽  
S. Mathew

Background: Continued advances in technology and cancer treatment have made cancer care more complex. A wide range of healthcare professionals are involved in the care and there is a potential for poor coordination and miscommunication. Hence there is a need to integrate and coordinate care to enhance quality care and improved health outcomes patient navigation approach was introduced by Dr Harold Freeman at Harlem Hospital Centre, the USA in 1990. Some literature identified nurses as a suitable candidate to assume this role. But there is a need to further explore the effectiveness of patient/nurse navigation program for its effectiveness on health outcomes such as anxiety, psychological distress, mood states, quality of life, symptom distress (nausea, vomiting, sleep disturbances) physical well being, psychological well being, coping, support and patient satisfaction. Aim: To synthesize the best available evidence on the effectiveness of patient/nurse navigation program in the care of women with breast cancer. Methods: This review was conducted according to Cochrane guidelines. An extensive literature search was conducted in PubMed, CINAHL, Proquest, Cochrane Library, IndMed (Indian database of studies) and Shodhganga, a reservoir of Indian theses from January 1990-January 2017 for relevant studies published in the English language. The search criteria were limited to randomized controlled trials with patient or nurse navigation interventions compared with routine/usual care interventions without patient/nurse navigator in women with diagnosis of breast cancer aged 18 years and above, at any stage of illness undergoing any treatment in a hospital setting, including inpatient and outpatient/ambulatory care and studies. Results: Out of 238 studies assessed for eligibility only 6 studies were assessed for methodological quality. Quality assessment was done by using Delphi checklist by two independent reviewers. The risks of bias in RCTs were assessed using Cochrane risk of bias tool. Due to the methodological heterogeneity of the studies, a meta-analysis was not performed. The reviewers categorized the main outcomes as quality of life, patient satisfaction with care, anxiety, psychological distress and physical problems and other outcomes (treatment adherence, barriers to care, diagnostic interval, timely access to care, time to completion of treatment, use of health care resources) and presented it in narrative form. Conclusion: This review provides evidence that navigation programs have some benefit on breast cancer patients' health outcomes. The findings from this review show that there are a limited number of studies reporting health outcomes of breast cancer patients from inpatient settings and especially no studies from Asian countries. This warrants the need for developing navigation programs in developing countries especially in Indian setting where no navigation programs are being reported in cancer care.


BMC Cancer ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 21 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Safa Najafi ◽  
Maryam Ansari ◽  
Vahid Kaveh ◽  
Shahpar Haghighat

Abstract Background The objective of this study was to compare the efficacy and side effects of a single dose (Pegfilgrastim or PDL) or repeated six daily injections (Filgrastim or PDG) during chemotherapy courses in breast cancer patients in a non-inferiority clinical trial. Methods In this randomized clinical trial, 80 patients were recruited and allocated randomly to two equal arms. In one group, a single subcutaneous dose of PDL was injected the day after receiving the chemotherapy regimen in each cycle. The second arm received a subcutaneous injection of PDG for six consecutive days in each cycle of treatment. The side effects of GCF treatment and its effect on blood parameters were compared in each cycle and during eight cycles of chemotherapy. Results Hematologic parameters showed no significant differences in any of the treatment courses between the two study groups. The comparison of WBC (p = 0.527), Hgb (p = 0.075), Platelet (p = 0.819), Neutrophil (p = 0.575), Lymphocyte (p = 705) and ANC (p = 0.675) changes during the eight courses of treatment also revealed no statistically significant difference between the two study groups. Side effects including headache, injection site reaction and muscle pain had a lower frequency in patients receiving PDL drugs. Conclusion It seems that PDL is non-inferior in efficacy and also less toxic than PDG. Since PDL can be administered in a single dose and is also less costly, it can be regarded as a cost-effective drug for the treatment of chemotherapy-induced neutropenia. Trial registration IRCT20190504043465N1, May 2019.


Author(s):  
Marilot C. T. Batenburg ◽  
Wies Maarse ◽  
Femke van der Leij ◽  
Inge O. Baas ◽  
Onno Boonstra ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To evaluate symptoms of late radiation toxicity, side effects, and quality of life in breast cancer patients treated with hyperbaric oxygen therapy (HBOT). Methods For this cohort study breast cancer patients treated with HBOT in 5 Dutch facilities were eligible for inclusion. Breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity treated with ≥ 20 HBOT sessions from 2015 to 2019 were included. Breast and arm symptoms, pain, and quality of life were assessed by means of the EORTC QLQ-C30 and -BR23 before, immediately after, and 3 months after HBOT on a scale of 0–100. Determinants associated with persistent breast pain after HBOT were assessed. Results 1005/1280 patients were included for analysis. Pain scores decreased significantly from 43.4 before HBOT to 29.7 after 3 months (p < 0.001). Breast symptoms decreased significantly from 44.6 at baseline to 28.9 at 3 months follow-up (p < 0.001) and arm symptoms decreased significantly from 38.2 at baseline to 27.4 at 3 months follow-up (p < 0.001). All quality of life domains improved at the end of HBOT and after 3 months follow-up in comparison to baseline scores. Most prevalent side effects of HBOT were myopia (any grade, n = 576, 57.3%) and mild barotrauma (n = 179, 17.8%). Moderate/severe side effects were reported in 3.2% (n = 32) of the patients. Active smoking during HBOT and shorter time (i.e., median 17.5 vs. 22.0 months) since radiotherapy were associated with persistent breast pain after HBOT. Conclusion Breast cancer patients with late radiation toxicity reported reduced pain, breast and arm symptoms, and improved quality of life following treatment with HBOT.


2012 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
pp. 3-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Agnese Dzērvīte ◽  
Maruta Pranka ◽  
Tana Lace ◽  
Ritma Rungule ◽  
Edvins Miklasevics ◽  
...  

Summary Introduction. Health related quality of life is a much debated topic in medicine with much quantitative and qualitative research contributing to the understanding of how to improve the lives of patients, yet little has been published in relation to the quality of life of Latvian breast cancer patients. Aim of the Study. To gather base measurements of subjective and objective quality of life factors for breast cancer patients in Latvia and discover which key factors contribute most to quality of life of Latvian breast cancer patients at the start of treatment. Materials and Methods. This paper presents data collected from April 2010 to June 2011 at the Pauls Stradins Clinical University hospital on key factors influencing quality of life for breast cancer patients: health and physical well-being; state of surroundings and environment; social support and functionality; financial state, employment and leisure. Quantitative survey material has been supplemented with insight from qualitative in-depth interviews to better explain the objective and subjective implications for breast cancer patients’ quality of life. Results. Interviewed breast cancer patients rated their quality of life as being average or good at the beginning of treatment. Negative factors contributing to lowered quality of life were mainly linked to patient financial, social and emotional state at the first weeks of treatment and correspond to previous research done in Latvia on quality of life issues. Conclusions. Further follow-up surveys will contribute to the evaluation of breast cancer patients’ needs while undergoing treatment to further improve treatment strategies, especially if validated quality of life measurement surveys were to be implemented in Latvian hospitals.


Author(s):  
Melisa Anderson ◽  
Dwayne Tucker ◽  
Fabian G. Miller ◽  
Kurt Vaz ◽  
Lennox Anderson-Jackson ◽  
...  

Breast cancer is a disease in which there is increased proliferation of malignant breast cells. This disease is more likely to begin in the ducts or lobules rather than the connective tissue. Globally, breast cancer is the most regularly diagnosed cancer. It is also a leading cause of cancer-related mortality in females. While cancer of the breast affects the physical aspect of patients, it can also negatively impact the quality of life (QoL) of survivors. There is a dearth of information, especially in the last decade, on the negative impact of breast cancer and treatment modalities on the QoL of patients. This review of the literature will examine the QoL and well-being of breast cancer patients to present a current perspective on the topic. Major findings of past and present articles that have contributed to improving the care of breast cancer patients will be summarized and included.


2019 ◽  
Vol 175 (2) ◽  
pp. 267-276 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dustin H. Marks ◽  
Jean-Phillip Okhovat ◽  
Dina Hagigeorges ◽  
Athena J. Manatis-Lornell ◽  
Steven J. Isakoff ◽  
...  

2019 ◽  
Vol 18 ◽  
pp. 153473541988059
Author(s):  
Tetiana Odynets ◽  
Yuriy Briskin ◽  
Valentina Todorova

Purpose: The aim of the present study was to evaluate the effects of different exercise interventions on quality of life parameters in breast cancer patients during 1 year of outpatient rehabilitation. Material and Methods: A total of 115 breast cancer patients met the eligibility criteria and completed the study. Participants were randomly allocated for the water exercise interventions (group A, n = 45), for the Pilates exercise interventions (group B, n = 40), and yoga exercise interventions (group C, n = 30). The 3 groups attended relevant programs for 1 year and received 144 rehabilitation sessions. Quality of life parameters were assessed using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy questionnaire with a specific module for breast cancer patients (FACT-B). Quality of life data were recorded at baseline and after 6 and 12 months of exercise interventions. Results: A significant increase in quality of life indicators was observed in participants of all groups. Based on the results of the 12-month monitoring, patients of group A scored significantly more points for emotional well-being compared with group B and group C by 1.40 points ( P < .05) and 1.69 points ( P < .01), respectively, as well as by breast cancer subscale by 2.15 points ( P < .05) compared with group B. Patients in group C scored significantly better compared with group A in social/family well-being by 2.80 points ( P < .01). Conclusions: It was found that using water exercise intervention is more effective for improving emotional well-being and decreasing negative symptoms associated with breast cancer treatment compared with Pilates and yoga interventions, while yoga was more effective in improving social/family well-being. Further research on water interventions for different populations is warranted.


2016 ◽  
Vol 34 (3_suppl) ◽  
pp. 249-249 ◽  
Author(s):  
Melanie Keats ◽  
Hillary Woodside ◽  
S. Nicole Culos-Reed

249 Background: A growing body of evidence is emerging to suggest that the practice of yoga can improve disease and treatment-related side effects in the non-curative cancer patient by addressing their physical, psychological, and spiritual needs. Regrettably, the literature regarding the positive benefits of yoga for the young adult (YA) non-curative cancer patient is limited. Accordingly, the purpose of this ongoing exploratory study is to examine the feasibility and safety of a 7-week home/hospice based instructive Hatha yoga intervention (Yoga Thrive - available on DVD) in non-curative, YA cancer patients. Secondary outcomes include the examination of the efficacy of yoga in mitigating cancer and treatment-related side effects through ratings of self-reported quality of life (QOL). Methods: A single-arm, non-randomized, pre and post-test, pilot investigation of a 7-week instructive home/hospice-based Hatha yoga program is currently ongoing. Pre/post program data include measures of QOL, specific to palliative disease and spiritual domains as well as open-ended measures of perceived program value. Feasibility data (e.g., recruitment, adherence, safety) are also collected. Results: To date, four YA non-curative cancer patients have participated in the 7-week yoga program. Preliminary data show a significant difference in both functional well-being (p= .047, ηp2= 0.78) and spirituality (FACIT-Sp) scores (p= 0.04, ηp2= 0.77). Although not statistically significant, a large effect in physical well-being (ηp2= 0.38); general cancer outcomes (FACT-G) (ηp2= 0.42); and palliative specific scores (ηp2= 0.62) have also emerged. Early responses to the post-program exit questions suggest that participants find the program as an opportunity for self-care, separate from traditional cancer therapies. Subjective improvements in flexibility and mindfulness (e.g., body awareness, relaxation, and calmness) have also been reported. Additionally, participants have complemented the program for its ease and flexibility of use. Conclusions: Early findings of this study provide support for the feasibility and efficacy of a home/hospice-based yoga program for YA non-curative cancer patients.


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