Impact of a Cancer Health Education Curriculum Among Milwaukee Public High School Students.

In Milwaukee and nationwide, cancer incidence, late-stage diagnosis, and mortality are notably higher among some racial/ethnic populations. Cancer education has the potential to impact cancer burden and reduce cancer disparities. In particular, the addition of a service-learning component to academic curriculums has been shown to improve student learning as well as positively impact the surrounding community. This study implemented a cancer health education curriculum (CHEC) at a Milwaukee public high school with the goal of addressing cancer knowledge, fear and fatalism beliefs, and risk behaviors. The curriculum included interactive learning sessions and a service-learning final project. Five-hundred twenty-one students also completed pre- and post-surveys assessing cancer knowledge, fear and fatalism, risk behaviors, cancer-related communication, and a qualitative question asking what they hoped to gain (pre) or did gain (post) from the course. Results indicate (1) a significant improvement in cancer knowledge (p < 0.0001), (2) a decrease in cancer fear and fatalism (p < 0.0001), (3) an increase in fruit consumption (p < 0.0001), (4) a decrease in screen time (p = 0.0004), and (5) an increase in how often students spoke with their family about cancer (p < 0.0001). Qualitative data reflect important gains such as increased interest in sharing their knowledge about cancer with their community. Providing cancer education and leveraging a service-learning requirement led to notable changes in high school students' cancer knowledge, fear and fatalism, and risk behaviors. Students also communicated more with family/friends about cancer. Such efforts could have broader implications for student, family, and community cancer burden.

Exploring health behaviors and the feasibility of a lifestyle intervention for patients with multiple myeloma.

PURPOSE: Multiple myeloma (MM) is the second most common hematologic malignancy in the USA, with higher rates observed in older adults and African Americans (AA). Survivors experience fatigue, bone pain, reduced functioning, and obesity, highlighting the value of developing lifestyle interventions for this diverse group. This study explores lifestyle behaviors and supportive care needs to inform future programs tailored to the MM community. METHODS: MM survivors, ≥ 100 days post autologous stem cell transplant (ASCT) with a BMI ≥ 20 kg/m2, were recruited from two university hospitals. Diet, physical activity, and quality of life (QOL) were measured using validated measures. Qualitative interviews gathered information on survivorship needs and interests related to supportive interventions. Quantitative data was analyzed using descriptive statistics; qualitative data were analyzed using deductive strategies. RESULTS: Seveny-two MM survivors participated (65% white, 35% black). Participants were 62.5 ± 15.8 years of age. Fifty percent were classified as obese and 65% were insufficiently active. Participants reported diets high in added sugars and saturated fats. QOL measures indicated clinically significant challenges in physical and sexual function. Most (87%) were interested in a lifestyle program. Predominant themes regarding survivors' desires for a lifestyle program included social support, guided exercise, meal preparation support, and disease management information. CONCLUSION: This study demonstrates the need for and interest in lifestyle change support among a racially diverse sample of MM survivors. Interventions that are group-based, target knowledge gaps, social connections, accountability, and provide structured framework with professional instruction will best address the needs of this survivor population.

Use of the dialectical behavior therapy skills and management of psychosocial stress with newly diagnosed breast cancer patients.

Stress-related health concerns have the potential to impact quality of life for patients with breast cancer. National cancer organizations such as the National Cancer Institute, the Institute of Medicine, and the National Comprehensive Cancer Network have acknowledged that all patients with cancer experience some level of distress during the course of illness and treatment. Literature on cancer suggests a range of expected distress from 20% to 50% among all patients diagnosed with cancer. Acknowledging and managing this distress with patients with cancer and providing them behavioral-based Interventions are important parts of cancer research. Dialectical Behavioral Therapy skill is are an empirically proven treatment modality across numerous patient populations. The main objective of this study was to evaluate the utilization and effectiveness of Dialectical Behavior Therapy skills modified for use with patients with breast cancer.

Communication between breast cancer patients and their physicians about breast-related body image issues.

Breast cancer patients encounter body image changes throughout their diagnosis, treatment, and recovery from breast cancer. No prospective studies were identified investigating communication between physicians and breast cancer patients related to body image. This qualitative pilot study determines (1) how breast cancer patients prefer their physicians communicate regarding body image changes and (2) how comfortable physicians are in discussing body image issues with their patients. Data were collected from patients over 12 weeks through the breast evaluation questionnaire (BEQ), a valid and reliable instrument, and a qualitative questionnaire. Ten physicians completed a qualitative questionnaire. The data were analyzed using frequency analysis. Nearly 70% of the patients reported there was more the physician could do to improve patient comfort in discussing breast-related body image concerns. Honesty, openness, and directness were important to the patients. Thirty-three percent of the patients answered that their physicians should be honest, open, and direct while discussing these issues. On a five-point Likert scale (1 = very uncomfortable and 5 = very comfortable), the physicians most frequently answered a 4 when asked how comfortable they are speaking about breast-related body image issues; however, only four out of 10 always address the topic themselves during the patient's visit. These data suggest that patients want honesty, openness, and directness from their physicians during the discussion of breast-related body image issues. The physicians report they are comfortable speaking about breast-related body image issues; yet, they do not directly initiate the topic.