Patients' Individualized Care Perceptions and Health Literacy Using an Interactive App During Breast and Prostate Cancer Treatment: Two Parallel Randomized Controlled Trials.

The use of symptom management mobile apps can reduce patients' symptom burden during cancer treatment, but the evidence is lacking about their effect on care. Moreover, if patients' health literacy can be improved, it needs to be more rigorously tested. This study aimed to evaluate patients' perceptions of individualized care and health literacy using an interactive app in two randomized trials. Patients undergoing neoadjuvant chemotherapy for breast cancer (N = 149) and radiotherapy for prostate cancer (N = 150) were consecutively included and randomized into one intervention or control group. Outcome measures were Individualized Care Scale, Swedish Functional Health Literacy Scale, and Swedish Communicative and Critical Health Literacy Scale. In the breast cancer trial, no group differences were observed regarding individualized care or health literacy. Most patients had sufficient health literacy levels. In the prostate cancer trial, intervention group patients rated higher perceived individualized care regarding decision control at follow-up than the control group. Less than half had sufficient health literacy levels and intervention group patients significantly improved their ability to seek, understand, and communicate health information. Education level explained significant variance in health literacy in both trials. Using an interactive app can positively affect individualization in care and health literacy skills among patients treated for prostate cancer, although further research is warranted.

Sickness absence following breast cancer surgery: a two-year follow-up cohort study.

RATIONALE AND AIM: Most women of working ages with limited breast cancer (BC) have returned to work within the first year after diagnosis. However, little is known about what is happening during this year regarding sickness absence and return to work. Also, the knowledge is very limited about the occurrence of part-time sickness absence after BC diagnosis. Therefore, the aim of this study was to describe occurrence, extent and length of SA during a two-year follow-up after BC surgery and to analyse the association between being SA and type of cancer treatment. METHODS: In this prospective cohort study, 497 women responded to questionnaires about different aspects of sickness absence at six occasions during two years after primary BC surgery (at baseline and after 4, 8, 12, 18 and 24 months). Treatment information was obtained from the National breast cancer register. Multinomial logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (OR) for likelihood of being sickness absent more than once. RESULTS: Two-thirds of the women were sickness absent at baseline; this proportion decreased, especially during the first eight months. At 24 months, 13% were sickness absent. Of all women, 27% never reported sickness absence and 14% were sickness absent at most of the six survey times. At eight months, many had shifted from full- to part-time sickness absence. Women with chemotherapy and/or advanced BC surgery had higher ORs for being sickness absent at most of the follow-ups. CONCLUSIONS: Most women returned to work within the first eight months after BC surgery and of those sickness absent after that, most had been part-time sickness absent. Thus, it is important to differentiate between part- and full-time sickness absence in future studies. Special attention should be paid to the impact of chemotherapy and type of surgery on the likelihood of being sickness absent.

Experiences of Sexuality Six Years After Stroke: A Qualitative Study.

BACKGROUND: Little is known about the long-term consequences of stroke on sexuality, and studies on how individuals with stroke communicate with health care professionals about information and/or interventions on sexuality are even sparser. AIM: To explore experiences of sexuality 6 years after stroke, including communication with health care professionals concerning sexuality. METHODS: This qualitative study was based on data collected by semistructured interviews with 12 informants 43 to 81 years old 6 years after stroke. Interviews were recorded and transcribed verbatim and thematic analysis was performed. RESULTS: The analysis resulted in the following three themes. Not exclusively negative experiences in sexuality after stroke: Most informants experienced some change in their sexual life from before their stroke. Decreased sexual interest and function were ascribed to decreased sensibility, post-stroke pain, or fatigue. Some informants reported positive changes in sexuality, which were attributed to feelings of increased intimacy. Individual differences and variability on how to handle sexuality after stroke: Different strategies were used to manage unwanted negative changes such as actively trying to adapt by planning time with the partner and decreasing pressure or stress. Open communication about sexuality with one's partner also was described as important. Strikingly, most informants with negative experiences of sexual life attributed these to age or a stage in life and not to the stroke or health issues. Furthermore, they compared themselves with others without stroke but with changes in sexuality, thus achieving a sense of normality. Communication and counseling concerning sexuality-many unmet needs: Experiences of communication with health care professionals varied. Very few informants had received any information or discussed sexuality with health care professionals during the 6 years since the stroke, although such needs were identified by most informants. CLINICAL TRANSLATION: When encountering individuals with previous stroke, there is a need for vigilance concerning individual experiences of stroke on sexuality to avoid under- or overestimating the impact and to raise the subject, which currently might be seldom. STRENGTHS AND LIMITATIONS: Individuals with long-term diverse consequences of stroke and with different sociodemographic backgrounds were interviewed. Because most individuals in the present study had retained functioning, this could decrease transferability to populations with more severe sequelae after stroke. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: The individuals in the present study had different experiences of sexuality after stroke. The results point to the importance of acknowledging sexual rehabilitation as part of holistic person-centered stroke rehabilitation. Nilsson MI, Fugl-Meyer K, von Koch L, Ytterberg C. Experiences of Sexuality Six Years After Stroke: A Qualitative Study. J Sex Med 2017;14:797-803.

A study to examine the influence of health professionals' advice and support on work capacity and sick leave after breast cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: The aim of this study was to investigate how women, shortly after breast cancer surgery, experienced encounters with, and information from, healthcare professionals regarding work and sick leave and if these experiences were associated with self-reported work capacity and sick leave. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional study based on questionnaire data from 605 women who had had breast cancer surgery, aged 20-63 years. Exclusion criteria were known distant metastases, pre surgical therapy, and/or previous breast cancer. Data on age, type of surgery, global health, and work environment were included as covariates in multivariable logistic regression analysis. RESULTS: Five percent of the women had not received any advice concerning work or sick leave. Women reporting receiving useful advice or support related to paid work had lower risk of reporting reduced physical or psychological/social work capacity due to the cancer or treatment (OR 0.46 (95 % CI 0.26-0.81) respective OR 0.45 (95 % CI 0.26-0.77)). There were no associations between having received useful advice or support concerning work and being on sick leave. Women encouraged to take sick leave had an OR of 2.17 (95 % CI 1.39-3.37) of being sickness absent. They also to a higher extent had reduced physical and psychological/social work capacity. Women who reported to have been encouraged to work were sickness absent to a lower extent (OR 0.64; 95 % CI 0.41-0.98) and reported higher physical work capacity. CONCLUSIONS: Work and sick leave is being discussed during consultations with women with breast cancer and the advice given seems to be in line with the women's subjective work capacity.

Adjustment and social support at work early after breast cancer surgery and its associations with sickness absence.

INTRODUCTION: As half of the women with breast cancer are of working ages and usually survive, knowledge is needed on how to support them early regarding work-related problems caused by treatments. Most previous studies have focused on individual and disease-related factors, whereas few have focused on work-related factors such as work adjustment and social support. The aim of this study was to investigate received and perceived social support from supervisor and colleagues as well as work adjustments, and their associations with sickness absence, among women who recently had had breast cancer surgery. METHOD: Inclusion criteria were as follows: women aged 20-63 years, living in Stockholm County, treated surgically for a first diagnosis of breast cancer, literate in Swedish, without pre-surgical chemotherapy or known distant metastases. Included in the study were 605 women who worked at diagnosis and that had answered a questionnaire within eight weeks of inclusion. Descriptive statistics, univariate, and multivariable logistic regression analyses were applied to estimate odds ratios (OR) with 95% confidence intervals (CI) for the likelihood of being sickness absent. RESULTS: Most women perceived and received social support and work adjustment after breast cancer surgery. Low adjustment (OR = 2.14; 95% CI, 1.45-3.18) and less social support (OR = 1.80; 95% CI, 1.16-2.78) were significantly associated with being sickness absent. Adjusting for sociodemographics, strenuous work posture, and treatment did not attenuate these associations. CONCLUSION: Adjustment at work and social support from employer are associated with sickness absence and needs to be explored in discussions on return to work after breast cancer surgery.

How do women value work shortly after breast cancer surgery and are their valuations associated with being on sick leave?

PURPOSE: To investigate how working women, in different age and educational groups who have recently had breast cancer surgery, value work (in terms of importance, satisfaction, and dedication), and whether their valuations are associated with sick leave. METHOD: This cross-sectional study investigated the value of work and its relation to sickness absence among women in Sweden who had had breast cancer surgery, were aged 20-63 years, and worked before diagnosis (n = 605). A questionnaire was distributed at inclusion, about 4-8 weeks after surgery. Inferential statistics and logistic regression were used to estimate odds ratio (ORs) with 95 % confidence intervals (CIs). RESULTS: Two-thirds of the women viewed work as one of the most important things in their lives; 86 % stated that their job provided personal satisfaction; and 54 % rated their vocational situation as satisfying. Older women (≥52 years) were more vocationally satisfied (p = 0.021), as too were those with higher education (p = 0.035). Women with higher education were also more dedicated to their work (p = 0.020). Univariate analyses revealed associations of low vocational satisfaction, younger age and wanting to change profession with sickness absence. Low vocational satisfaction (OR 2.38, 95 % CI 1.66-3.41) and younger age (<52 years) (OR 1.44, 95 % CI 1.02-2.03) remained associated with sick leave in the multivariate analysis. CONCLUSIONS: Shortly after breast cancer surgery, most women valued work highly, even as one of the most important things in their lives. Accordingly, it is essential to include aspects of work early on in these patients' treatment and rehabilitation plans.

Sexual Satisfaction and Associated Biopsychosocial Factors in Stroke Patients Admitted to Specialized Cognitive Rehabilitation.

INTRODUCTION: The consequences of stroke on sexual life in stroke patients in need of specialized cognitive rehabilitation have been limited explored. A biopsychosocial perspective in post-stroke sexuality studies is warranted to capture the complex picture of stroke consequences and sexual life after stroke and sexual satisfaction is an important outcome measure when exploring such multifactorial associations. AIM: To explore sexual satisfaction and associated biopsychosocial factors in stroke patients admitted to specialized cognitive rehabilitation. METHODS: A cross-sectional study was performed including 91 consecutive stroke patients admitted to specialized cognitive rehabilitation. Data were collected from medical records and by face-to-face interviews using a structured interview guide and questionnaires. Descriptive and inferential statistics were applied. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: A wide range of biopsychosocial variables including medical and sociodemographic characteristics, social support, sexual complaints, aspects of sexual life, psychological distress and life satisfaction were analyzed in relation to the main outcome "Satisfaction with sexual life." RESULTS: Only 33 % were satisfied with sexual life. Prevalence of sexual complaints was high, more frequent in women (84%) than in men (64%). Three-quarters were less sexually active than before stroke. Multivariable analyses showed that anxiety, sleep problems, manifested sexual complaint, decrease in sexual activity and fear of partner rejection were significantly associated with low odds of sexual satisfaction, while affectionate support and partnership satisfaction were significant for sexual satisfaction. When combined in a biopsychosocial multivariable model only fear of partner rejection (OR 0.07; 95 % CI: 0.01-0.42) and decrease in sexual activity (OR 0.11; 95 % CI: 0.02-0.58) showed significant contribution to sexual satisfaction. CONCLUSION: The variety of predictors for sexual satisfaction indicates that therapeutic actions need to be individualized and points towards a broad assessment and interventional approach to meet the sexual rehabilitation needs of stroke patients with cognitive impairments in need of specialized rehabilitation. Vikan JK, Snekkevik H, Nilsson MI, et al. Sexual Satisfaction and Associated Biopsychosocial Factors in Stroke Patients Admitted to Specialized Cognitive Rehabilitation. Sex Med 2021;9:100424.

Closeness and life satisfaction after six years for persons with stroke and spouses.

OBJECTIVE: To explore long-term experiences of satisfaction with life in persons with stroke and spouses. DESIGN: This prospective cohort-study collected data on life satisfaction 1 and 6 years after stroke using the Life Satisfaction Checklist; focusing on "Life as a whole" and the domain "Closeness" ("Family life", "Partner relationship", "Sexual life"). Open-ended questions were added to illustrate changes in daily life. SUBJECTS: A total of 72 stroke participants (24 singles, 48 married) and 24 spouses. Most of the stroke participants were men with a mild stroke. Median age for persons with stroke and spouses was 65 years. RESULTS: All groups (singles/married stroke participants, spouses) experienced changes in satisfaction regarding "Closeness", and most often these changes were perceived as negative. The item "Sexual life" had the lowest proportion of satisfied participants. After 6 years, 58% of singles and 78% of married stroke participants were satisfied with "Life as a whole". The proportion of satisfied spouses was 41%. CONCLUSION: For the vast majority of people who have had a stroke and their spouses, long-term satisfaction with aspects of "Closeness" decline. The results suggest a need to develop, evaluate and implement programmes that support satisfaction with the different aspects of "Closeness".

Sexual health policies in stroke rehabilitation: A multi national study.

OBJECTIVE: To identify and explore sexual health policies at specialized stroke rehabilitation centres in relation to the perspectives of healthcare personnel concerning sexual health. DESIGN: Cross-sectional study. SUBJECTS: Nine specialized rehabilitation centres representing 7 countries, and healthcare personnel (n = 323) working with stroke rehabilitation at the 9 centres were included in the study. METHODS: Two structured questionnaires were used: (i) an organizational-audit on sexual health policies; (ii) an anonymous web-questionnaire assessing the perspectives of healthcare personnel concerning sexual health. RESULTS: Of the 9 centres, 5 scored high on having sexual health policy in stroke rehabilitation and 4 scored low. Healthcare personnel working at centres with high scores reported higher levels of knowledge and comfort in working with sexual health, and looked more positively on the workplace sexual health policies, than personnel working at centres scoring low on these factors. Most personnel expressed a need for knowledge on the topic. Being comfortable about addressing sexuality was significantly associated with higher levels of knowledge about sexuality and working at centres having sexual health policies. CONCLUSION: A lack of sexual health policy represents a barrier to evidence-based practice in stroke rehabilitation. Such protocols need to be implemented in standard care in order to meet the sexual rehabilitation needs of stroke patients and partners.

Changes in importance of work and vocational satisfaction during the 2 years after breast cancer surgery and factors associated with this.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to investigate how women, during the 2 years following breast cancer surgery, rate importance of work and vocational satisfaction, and baseline factors associated with rating over time. METHODS: A prospective cohort study of 692 women aged 20-63 included about 4 weeks after a first breast cancer surgery. Register data on treatment and data from six repeated questionnaires during a 2-year follow-up (at baseline, 4, 8, 12, 18, 24 months) were used in two-way mixed repeated analysis of variance and mixed repeated measures analysis of covariance. RESULTS: The women rated importance of work (m = 3.74; sd 0.88) (maximum 5) and vocational satisfaction (m = 4.30; sd 1.38) (maximum 6) high during the 2 years. Women with planned chemotherapy rated lower vocational satisfaction and especially so at 4 months after inclusion (F 1, 498 = 8.20; p = 0.004). Higher age, better physical, and mental/social work ability at baseline influenced rating of vocational satisfaction. Supportive colleagues was an important covariate that significantly affected ratings of importance of work as well as vocational satisfaction, i.e., women with better support rated on average higher on these outcomes. The effect of chemotherapy disappeared after including the abovementioned baseline covariates. CONCLUSIONS: Women diagnosed with breast cancer in the following 2 years rate importance of work and vocational satisfaction high, which are associated to lower work ability and social support. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Work is a very important aspect in life also after a cancer diagnosis, which has to be acknowledged when discussing treatment and rehabilitation plans with women with breast cancer. Furthermore, workplace support needs to be assessed as this is an influential factor.

Can breast cancer register data on recommended adjuvant treatment be used as a proxy for actually given treatment?

PURPOSES: To study agreement between recommended adjuvant treatment after primary breast cancer (BC) surgery from the clinical based National Breast Cancer Register and initiated adjuvant treatment from medical records; factors associated with agreement; and reasons for discontinuation or change of planned treatment. METHOD: Included were 970 women who had undergone BC surgery, aged 20-63 years, living in Stockholm County, and literate in Swedish. EXCLUSION CRITERIA: Distant metastases, pre-surgical chemotherapy, and/or a previous BC diagnosis. Information on clinical tumor stage, surgical treatment, recommended adjuvant radiotherapy, chemotherapy, and endocrine therapy was obtained from the BC register. Type of initiated adjuvant treatments, if treatment plan was followed, and reasons for discontinuation were extracted from medical records. RESULTS: The register had high completeness and agreement was high, 94-96%, (κ 0.801-0.908) for all types of treatment. Disagreement regarding radiotherapy and chemotherapy was associated with having ≥1 lymph node metastases and more extended axillary surgery, and for radiotherapy also more extended breast surgery. There were no such associations with age, tumor size, or invasiveness. None of these factors were associated with disagreement regarding recommended versus initiated endocrine therapy. Endocrine therapy was most often discontinued (24%), mostly due to toxicity which was also the most common reason for discontinuation of chemotherapy. CONCLUSIONS: Swedish register data on recommended treatment has high validity in women aged 24-63 years, with limited BC, and demonstrates utility as a proxy for initiated treatment in this group. This is of interest since extracting data from medical records is resource demanding.

Sickness absence in relation to breast and arm symptoms shortly after breast cancer surgery.

PURPOSE: To determine whether and, to what extent, breast and arm symptoms are associated with sick leave (SL) shortly after breast cancer (BC) surgery, and to investigate the associations of these symptoms and different surgical procedures with SL, adjusting for age and work posture. Women (n = 511), aged 26-63 years, who worked ≥ 75% before a BC diagnosis, were included within 12 weeks of surgery. RESULTS: 31% reported breast symptoms and 22% arm symptoms; and, of these, 47% reported both. Having strenuous work postures increased the OR for being on SL most (OR 2.60), followed by breast symptoms (OR 2.40), more extensive axillary (OR 2.24) or breast surgery (OR 2.13), and arm symptoms (OR 2.06). CONCLUSIONS: Breast and arm symptoms are as strongly associated with being on SL as types of breast and/or axillary surgery. Early self-reported symptoms are important to consider in guidelines for SL and rehabilitation after BC surgery.

Arm morbidity and sick leave among working women shortly after breast cancer surgery.

BACKGROUND: There is limited knowledge about the impact of arm morbidity on sick leave in the immediate period after breast cancer surgery. PURPOSE: To determine if arm morbidity was associated with sick leave shortly after breast cancer surgery and to investigate the association between arm morbidity and sick leave, adjusted for treatment, work characteristics, co-morbidity, time since surgery, and sociodemographic factors. SAMPLE AND METHODS: Included were 511 women who within 12 weeks had had breast cancer surgery, were aged 20-63 years, had no distant metastasis, pre-surgical chemotherapy, or previous breast cancer, and worked ≥75% before breast cancer diagnosis. Percentages and odds ratios (OR) for being on sick leave were calculated, using multivariable analyses. RESULTS: Of the women, 10% reported arm morbidity, 43% had had a total axillary clearance, and 60% were on sick leave. In multivariable analysis, those with planned chemotherapy had the highest OR (4.69; 95% CI 2.97-7.41) for being on sick leave. Nevertheless, those reporting arm morbidity had the second highest OR (2.71; 1.23-5.97) which was higher than if having strenuous work postures (2.49; 1.50-4.15) or having had an axillary clearance (1.64; 1.04-2.60). CONCLUSION: Arm morbidity is an important factor for whether being on sick leave or not shortly after breast cancer surgery, even more important than type of axillary surgery or work situation. However, planned chemotherapy had the greatest impact for being on sick leave already shortly after breast cancer surgery.