Psychosocial Impact of Virtual Cancer Care through Technology: A Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis of Randomized Controlled Trials.

This meta-analysis of RCTs aimed to determine whether replacing face-to-face hospital care with telemedicine deteriorates psychosocial outcomes of adult cancer patients, in terms of quality of life (QoL), anxiety, distress, and depression. RCTs on interventions aimed at improving patient psychosocial outcomes were excluded. MEDLINE, EmBASE, and PsycInfo were searched on 13 May 2022 without language or date restrictions. In total, 1400 records were identified and 8 RCTs included (4434 subjects). Study methodological quality was moderate. Statistically significant improvements were observed in favor of the intervention for QoL (SMD = 0.22, 95% CI 0.01 to 0.43, p = 0.04), anxiety (SMD = -0.17, 95% CI -0.30 to -0.04, p < 0.01), and global distress (SMD = -0.38, 95% CI -0.51 to -0.25, p < 0.01). A meta-analysis on depression could not be performed. In subgroup analyses, the intervention appeared to be more beneficial for patients receiving active treatment vs. follow-up, for "other cancer types" vs. breast cancer, and for "other modes of administration" vs. telephone. Given the many potential advantages of being assisted at home, telemedicine appears to be a viable option in oncology. However, more research is necessary to determine the types of patients who may benefit the most from these alternative care modalities.

Phase III study of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life cancer survivorship core questionnaire.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this study is to develop a European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Group (EORTC QLG) questionnaire that captures the full range of physical, mental, and social health-related quality of life (HRQOL) issues relevant to disease-free cancer survivors. In this phase III study, we pretested the provisional core questionnaire (QLQ-SURV111) and aimed to identify essential and optional scales. METHODS: We pretested the QLQ-SURV111 in 492 cancer survivors from 17 countries with one of 11 cancer diagnoses. We applied the EORTC QLG decision rules and employed factor analysis and item response theory (IRT) analysis to assess and, where necessary, modify the hypothesized questionnaire scales. We calculated correlations between the survivorship scales and the QLQ-C30 summary score and carried out a Delphi survey among healthcare professionals, patient representatives, and cancer researchers to distinguish between essential and optional scales. RESULTS: Fifty-four percent of the sample was male, mean age was 60 years, and, on average, time since completion of treatment was 3.8 years. Eleven items were excluded, resulting in the QLQ-SURV100, with 12 functional and 9 symptom scales, a symptom checklist, 4 single items, and 10 conditional items. The essential survivorship scales consist of 73 items. CONCLUSIONS: The QLQ-SURV100 has been developed to assess comprehensively the HRQOL of disease-free cancer survivors. It includes essential and optional scales and will be validated further in an international phase IV study. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The availability of this questionnaire will facilitate a standardized and robust assessment of the HRQOL of disease-free cancer survivors.

Intensity and Prevalence of Psychological Distress in Cancer Inpatients: Cross-Sectional Study Using New Case-Finding Criteria for the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale.

Psychological distress includes all negative subjective experiences elicited by a disease and its treatments. Since psychological distress in oncology is associated with negative outcomes, its detection and description are helpful for designing tailored supportive interventions. This study used the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) to assess the intensity and prevalence of psychological distress (i.e., anxiety and depression) in cancer inpatients and examined the relationships between these variables and sociodemographic and clinical factors. An existing dataset of HADS results, from 2021 consecutive adult cancer inpatients at a single hospital, was analyzed. Only those questionnaires with complete responses were used. The intensity of anxiety and depression was determined from HADS sub-scores. The prevalence of anxiety and depression was calculated using, as case-finding criteria, cut-offs of ≥ 10 and ≥ 8, respectively. The mean HADS scores describing intensity were 7.3 for anxiety (n = 1,990) and 5.8 (n = 1,970) for depression. The prevalence rates for anxiety and depression were 26.6 and 28.6%, respectively. Among the 1,916 patients who completed both subscales, 17.2% had both anxiety and depression, 21.0% had either anxiety or depression, and 61.7% had neither. Gender, age, occupational status, and cancer diagnosis were associated with anxiety intensity or prevalence, while age, occupational status, and cancer diagnosis were associated with depression intensity or prevalence. Anxiety intensity was affected by the interaction effect between gender and diagnosis. Our study showed anxiety and depression being distinct entities, with more intense anxiety overall. From a research perspective, it reaffirms the usefulness for assessing both intensity and prevalence concurrently to gain a more detailed description of anxiety and depression.

Cancer-Related Psychological Distress in Lymphoma Survivor: An Italian Cross-Sectional Study.

Cancer is becoming a chronic disease, and the number of cancer survivors continues to increase. Lymphoma survivors are also increasing in numbers, and anxiety and depression are among the consequences they face. This study aimed to explore psychological distress in a sample of 212 lymphoma survivors. Information through a socio-demographic form and the compilation of questionnaires to assess anxiety, depression, quality of life, and the impact of cancer on lymphoma survivors was collected and analyzed. In the sample examined, 17% of lymphoma survivors were anxiety caseness, and 12.3% were depression caseness, and of these, 8% presented with concomitant anxiety depression. This study identified some variables associated with psychological distress in lymphoma survivors: female sex; living as a couple; a diagnosis of Hodgkin lymphoma; systematic treatment and/or radiotherapy; sleep disorders; no regular physical activity; and present or past use of psychiatric drugs. Our cross-sectional study results suggest that some of the variables investigated may be useful in identifying lymphoma survivors who are more likely to report psychological distress. It is important to monitor psychological distress along the entire trajectory of survivorship in order to identify early the presence of anxiety and depression and to provide timely psychological support.

A Textual Analysis for Understanding the Relations and the Identity Construction in Adolescent Oncology Patients: Retrospective Personal Views in Order to Educate Health Professionals.

Patient input is critical for all aspects of value-based healthcare design. This contribution describes the following: the specifics of communications with doctors regarding the disease in adolescents and young adults with cancer; the patients' thoughts, emotions and changes in self-perception; "other meanings" taking shape along the treatment pathway; and reacting modes to the disease and treatments. Thirty-five Italian AYA patients in follow-up (age 18-24) were involved in a plenary interview on the cited aspects of their oncological experience. The answers were analyzed by MADIT (Analysis Methodology of Computerized Textual Data) with the software SPAD. MADIT allowed us to perform text analysis, describe the graphical outcomes and discuss the results. Respondents took a first-person perspective and their personal narrative recall had objective and unequivocal connotations. Experience was narrated mainly by maintenance repertoires that fix the reality of disease, its treatments and personal identity. The account focused on the tumor and on an agreed approach to it. The time "after" was described as a distressing space that defines them. Making sense of the events was considered a significant help. Professionals need to focus on the discursive repertoires of communication with which the inner and outer reality are built. Lastly, these patients required a two-way dialogue throughout the entire caring process.

Effectiveness of a Psychosocial Care Quality Improvement Strategy to Address Quality of Life in Patients With Cancer: The HuCare2 Stepped-Wedge Cluster Randomized Trial.

Importance: Many patients with cancer who would benefit from psychosocial care do not receive it. Implementation strategies may favor the integration of psychosocial care into practice and improve patient outcomes. Objective: To evaluate the effectiveness of the Humanization in Cancer Care (HuCare) Quality Improvement Strategy vs standard care as improvement of at least 1 of 2 domains (emotional or social function) of patient health-related quality of life at baseline and 3 months. A key secondary aim included investigation of the long-term effect. Design, Setting, and Participants: HuCare2 was a multicenter, incomplete, stepped-wedge cluster randomized clinical trial, conducted from May 30, 2016, to August 28, 2019, in three 5-center clusters of cancer centers representative of hospital size and geographic location in Italy. The study was divided into 5 equally spaced epochs. Implementation sequence was defined by a blinded statistician; the nature of the intervention precluded blinding for clinical staff. Participants included consecutive adult outpatients with newly diagnosed cancer of any type and stage starting medical cancer treatment. Interventions: The HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy comprised (1) clinician communication training, (2) on-site visits for context analysis and problem-solving, and (3) implementation of 6 evidence-based recommendations. Main Outcomes and Measures: The primary outcome was the difference between the means of changes of individual scores in emotional or social functions of health-related quality of life detected at baseline and 3-month follow-up (within each group) and during the postintervention epoch compared with control periods (between groups). Long-term effect of the intervention (at 12 months) was assessed as a secondary outcome. Intention-to-treat analysis was used. Results: A total of 762 patients (475 [62.3%] women) were enrolled (400 HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy and 362 usual care); mean (SD) age was 61.4 (13.1) years. The HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy significantly improved emotional function during treatment (odds ratio [OR], 1.13; 95% CI, 1.04-1.22; P = .008) but not social function (OR, 0.99; 95% CI, 0.89-1.09; P = .80). Effect on emotional function persisted at 12 months (OR, 1.05; 95% CI, 1.00-1.10; P = .04). Conclusions and Relevance: In this trial, the HuCare Quality Improvement Strategy significantly improved the emotional function aspect of health-related quality of life during cancer treatment and at 12 months, indicating a change in clinician behavior and in ward organization. These findings support the need for strategies to introduce psychosocial care; however, more research is needed on factors that may maximize the effects. Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03008993.

Psychosocial Care for Adult Cancer Patients: Guidelines of the Italian Medical Oncology Association.

Psychosocial morbidity can have negative consequences for cancer patients, including maladaptive coping, poor treatment adherence, and lower quality of life. Evidence shows that psychosocial interventions can positively impact quality of life, as well as symptoms and side effects; however, they are not always offered to patients who might benefit from them. These guidelines were produced by a multidisciplinary panel of 16 experts, including patients, following GRADE methodology. The panel framed clinical questions and voted on outcomes to investigate. Studies identified by rigorous search strategies were assessed to rate certainty of evidence, and recommendations were formulated by the panel. Although the quality of the evidence found was generally moderate, interventions could be recommended aimed at improving patient information, communication with healthcare professionals and involvement in decision-making; detecting and managing patient psychosocial needs, particularly with non-pharmacological therapy; and supporting families of patients with advanced cancer. The role of nurses as providers of information and psychosocial care is stressed. Most recommended interventions do not appear to necessitate new services or infrastructures, and therefore do not require allocation of additional resources, but predominantly involve changes in clinical staff behavior and/or ward organization. Patients should be made aware of psychosocial care standards so that they can expect to receive them.

Late Neurological and Cognitive Sequelae and Long-Term Monitoring of Classical Hodgkin Lymphoma and Diffuse Large B-Cell Lymphoma Survivors: A Systematic Review by the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi.

BACKGROUND: The continuously improving treatment outcome for classical Hodgkin lymphoma (cHL) and diffuse large B-cell lymphoma (DLBCL) over the last 25 years has led to a high number of long-term survivors. The impact of treatment, however, can sometimes be dramatic and long-lasting. Focusing on peripheral neuropathy (PN), cognitive impairment, fatigue, anxiety, and depression, researchers of the Fondazione Italiana Linfomi conducted a systematic review of the literature to collect the available data on sequelae incidence as well as evidence of follow-up strategies for long-term cHL and DLBCL survivors. METHODS: The review was carried out under the methodological supervision of the Istituto di Ricerche Farmacologiche "Mario Negri", Milan, Italy. The literature search was conducted on three databases (MEDLINE, Embase, and the Cochrane Library) updated to November 2019. The selection process and data extraction were conducted according to the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. RESULTS: A total of 2236 abstracts were screened, 247 full texts were analyzed, and 35 papers were included in the final analysis. Fatigue was the most extensively studied among neuropsychological sequelae, with a mean prevalence among cHL survivors of 10-43%. Although many of the papers showed an increased incidence of PN, cognitive impairment, and anxiety and depression in long-term cHL and DLBCL survivors, no definite conclusions can be drawn because of the methodological limitations of the analyzed studies. No data on monitoring and follow-up strategies of PN and other neuropsychological sequelae were highlighted. CONCLUSIONS: Based on our findings, future studies in this setting should include well-defined study populations and have a longitudinal trial design to assess the outcomes of interest over time, thus as to structure follow-up programs that can be translated into daily practice.

Cognitive function in long-term lymphoma survivors: relationship between subjective reports and objective assessments and with quality of life.

Cognitive functioning plays a fundamental role in people's life and quality of life (QoL), and anti-cancer chemotherapy may provoke long-lasting cognitive problems. This study investigated the subjective perception of cognitive functioning in long-term lynfoma survivors and its associations with objectively assessed cognitive functioning and QoL. 198 long-term lynfoma survivors were administered the Cognitive Functioning Self-Assessment Scale (CFSS), the Esame Neuropsicologico Breve 2 (ENB2) and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire (SF-36). Subjectively reported cognitive functioning was worse than the norm for the general population (p<0.001). Difficulty in recalling recent information (22%), using of periphrases or generic terms (16.7%) and tip-of-the-tongue phenomena (14.7%) were the cognitive difficulties most frequently reported. CFSS overall score correlated positively with the number of impaired performances (p<0.001) and borderline performances (p=0.014) on the ENB2. Both subjectively and objectively assessed cognitive measures correlated negatively with most assessed QoL domains, indicating that QoL is worse when cognitive functioning is poor. Subjective concerns about one's own cognitive functioning are a reality for long-term lynphoma survivors, who experience these worries more than the general population does. Since improving QoL is a priority in oncology, this study supports the use of interventions to improve cognitive functioning in cancer survivors.

Quality of life and psychological distress during cancer: a prospective observational study involving young breast cancer female patients.

BACKGROUND: Despite the possible traumatic significance of cancer and of the incidence, prevalence, and survival of young women with breast cancer, these patients are underrepresented in multidimensional research. In the present survey, QoL and psychological distress were studied in a sample of young female breast cancer patients during the first year of their disease. More in detail, the study was firstly aimed to assess if QoL of 18-45 years old female breast cancer patients was different from QoL of women from the general population and if it changed over time. Secondly, it described the psychological distress and its change over time. Finally, it assessed if QoL registered 1 year post-surgery may be explained by QoL and/or psychological distress registered during the hospitalization. METHODS: One hundred six, consecutive 18-45 years old, female primary breast cancer patients undergoing anticancer surgery filled out the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and a socio-demographic and clinical form during hospitalization to receive surgery (T0), and again at 12 months post-surgery (T1). RESULTS: At T0, participants showed a better physical functioning (p = 0.001) than the female normative sample, whereas their mental functioning was worse (p < 0.001). In this time, mental functioning within our sample was weaker than physical functioning (p < 0.001). Over time, physical functioning decreased (p < 0.001), whereas mental functioning increased (p < 0.001). Both at T0 and T1, anxiety was higher than depression (p < 0.05). Both distress dimensions decreased over time (p < 0.001). Nevertheless, at T0 the 25.5 and 26.4% of the sample were respectively possible and probable cases of anxiety, whereas the 17.9 and 9.4% were possible and probable cases of depression. At T1, the percentages were 17.9 and 18.9% for anxiety, and 8.5 and 6.6% for depression. In both considered times, a better QoL corresponded to less psychological distress. However, QoL and psychological distress assessed at T0 did not predict the QoL at T1. CONCLUSIONS: This study documented as QoL and psychological distress may change during the first year after surgery for a primary breast cancer in young women; therefore, they should be monitored over time to detect and treat women with alarming levels on them.

Cancer patients in cardiology: how to communicate with patients with special psychological needs and manage their cardiac problems in daily clinical practice.

: Cancer patients are increasingly referred for cardiology evaluations. These patients differ from those routinely seen in cardiology clinics because of their psychological burden and because the therapies and cancer itself can cause cardiac symptoms. A humane approach is critical to managing these patients. Cardiologists may see patients who are newly diagnosed with cancer or are in various phases of treatment; these patients may or may not have preexisting cardiac disease, and may develop cardiotoxicity from chemoimmunotherapy or radiotherapy. Each of these situations presents unique communication challenges for cardiologists. Although some oncology centers provide training in communication skills for their personnel, including cardiologists, this training is not widely available to physicians in general hospitals or private practice. This article examines the psychological aspects of cardio-oncology. It offers practical suggestions on how to best communicate with cancer patients in different phases of oncology care, and discusses when professional psychological help is needed.

Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) accuracy in cancer patients.

PURPOSE: The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) is a self-report questionnaire designed to screen anxious and depressive states in patients in non-psychiatric settings. In spite of its large use, no agreement exists in literature on HADS accuracy in case finding. The present research addresses the issue of HADS accuracy in cancer patients, comparing its two subscales (HADS-A and HADS-D) against tools not in use in psychiatry, which are able to detect prolonged negative emotional states. METHODS: 2121 consecutive adult cancer inpatients were administered the HADS together with the State Anxiety subscale of State-Trait Anxiety Inventory and the Center for Epidemiologic Studies Scale on Depression. Receiver operating characteristic (ROC) curves were computed to identify a cut-off for anxious and depressive states in cancer patients. All indicators were computed together with their corresponding 95% confidence interval (95% CI). RESULTS: Data of 1628 and 1035 participants were used to assess the accuracy in case finding of HADS-A and HADS-D, respectively. According to the ROC analysis, the optimal cut-off was > 9 units for the HADS-A and > 7 units for the HADS-D. The area under the ROC curve was 0.90 for HADS-A (95% CI 0.88-0.91) and 0.84 for HADS-D (95% CI 0.81-0.86). CONCLUSIONS: This study suggested that risk scores of anxious and depressive states above specific HADS cut-offs are useful in identifying anxious and depressive states in cancer patients, and they may thus be applicable in clinical practice.

The impact of cancer: An Italian descriptive study involving 500 long-term cancer survivors.

INTRODUCTION: The well-being and quality of life (QoL) of long-term cancer survivors may be affected, both positively and negatively, by psychosocial factors related to the experience of being a cancer patient. We investigated whether, in long-term cancer survivors, the psychosocial impacts of cancer associate with socio-demographic-clinical variables; whether, within the positive and negative dimensions taken separately, some impacts are more intense than others; and whether these impacts explain QoL. METHODS: Italian long-term cancer survivors (n = 500) completed the Impact of Cancer (IOC-V2) and Short Form 36 Health Survey (SF-36) questionnaires. RESULTS: The IOC-V2 negative impact score associated with gender, education, occupational status and health issues, whereas no association was found between the positive impact score and socio-demographic-clinical variables. Of the positive impacts, Altruism/Empathy was the highest (p < 0.001); Positive self-evaluation was higher than Health awareness (p = 0.001); and Meaning of cancer was the lowest (p < 0.001). Among the negative impacts, Worry was the highest (p < 0.001), whereas Body changes concerns was higher than both Appearance concerns (p < 0.001) and Life Interferences (p < 0.001). The assessed impacts explained more than 25% of the variance of both physical and mental functioning scores. CONCLUSIONS: The provided data document psychosocial factors affecting QoL in Italian long-term cancer survivors.

Cognitive functioning in long-term cancer survivorship: A survey utilizing both standardized neuropsychological and self-report measures.

Since long-term cancer survivorship is a reality for an increasing number of people, understanding their cognitive functioning is useful for both research and clinical purposes. This study described the cognitive functioning of Italian long-term cancer survivors, using both an objective standardized battery and a self-report questionnaire. A total of 136 Italian adults 5+ years free from cancer and its treatments were administered the Esame Neuropsicologico Breve, the Self-Assessment Scale of Cognitive Functioning, and assessments of other psychological dimensions. A total amount of 15% of the sample showed impaired performance on 2+ of the assessed cognitive functions, and 32% had 1+ impaired function. The subjective perception of their cognitive functioning was worse in the present sample, compared to the normative data (p < 0.001). Cognitive functioning, objectively and subjectively measured were significantly correlated (p = 0.006). The number of tests scored outside the normal range correlated positively with depression (p = 0.042) and negatively with both the estimated total IQ (p < 0.001) and with estimated performance IQ (p = 0.001). Self-perceived cognitive functioning correlated positively (p < 0.001) with depression, anxiety, and fatigue. These data document how cognitive difficulties may remain for a long time in cancer patients, who are likely to continue to subjectively perceive themselves as impaired, although sometimes to a greater extent than objective impairment.

The perceived severity of a disease and the impact of the vocabulary used to convey information: using Rasch scaling in a simulated oncological scenario.

BACKGROUND: Healthcare staff should be aware of the importance that patients may attach to the words that are used to convey information. This is relevant in terms of the patients' understanding. Modeling how people understand the information conveyed in a medical context may help health practitioners to better appreciate the patients' approach. PURPOSE: 1) Analyze the participants' self-reported perception of the type of information provided in an oncological scenario in terms of three dimensions: impairment to their health, risks associated with the disease itself and commitment required to undergo the treatment; and 2) show the benefits of using Rasch scaling for the analysis of the data. Starting from a survey, Rasch scaling produces a unidimensional logit-interval scale relating to the extent to which each item conveys a latent dimension. These were related to structure, in particular concerning communication by means of opposite vs. unipolar language. SUBJECTS AND METHODS: The participants rated 82 items of information in a questionnaire regarding their perception of impairment to their health (H) and the risks (R) and commitment relating to the treatment prescribed (T). RESULTS: The scaling produced an item bank for healthcare staff to consult in order to estimate the importance the recipient would be likely to attach to the vocabulary used and the likely impact of the information in terms of the patient's condition. Furthermore, the use of opposites was generally associated with a clearer impression of whether the information given was generally only very negative or slightly negative, whereas 'neutral' information was often perceived as being very negative. ACTUAL FINDINGS: Is possible to estimate people's understanding more precisely (in terms of H, R and T) which can help healthcare practitioners to modulate the way they convey information. LIMITATIONS: The participants in the study were healthy volunteers and the context was simulated.

A contribution to the validation of the Italian version of the Body Image Scale (BIS).

BACKGROUND: The Body Image Scale (BIS) is a 10-item mono-factorial scale, designed to capture distress and symptoms related to body image in cancer patients. This paper describes the conversion and psychometric evaluation of an Italian BIS version. METHODS: After the back-translation procedure, the Italian version of the BIS, together with the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and the Short Form 36 Health Survey Questionnaire, have been administered to a sample of Italian adult females, surgically treated for a breast cancer at least one year before. RESULTS: Data on 109 participants were analyzed. The response rate was 92.5%. Response prevalence was adequate for 9 out of 10 items. Principal component analysis showed a one-factor structure. Internal consistency (Cronbach's alpha =0.924) was good. The BIS correlated with the theoretically pertinent subscales of the other administered tools and was able to discriminate participants (discriminant validity) according to the undertaken surgical treatment (p = 0.031). CONCLUSIONS: This study supports the valid and reliable use also of the Italian version of the BIS.

The effects of presenting oncologic information in terms of opposites in a medical context.

BACKGROUND: An extensive body of literature has demonstrated that many patients who have been asked to participate in clinical trials do not fully understand the informed consent forms. A parallel independent study has demonstrated that opposites have a special status in human cognitive organization: they are common to all-natural languages and are intuitively and naturally understood and learnt. PURPOSE: The study investigates whether, and how, the use of opposites impacts on doctor-patient communication: does using the terms "small-large" to describe a nodule (ie, bipolar communication) rather than speaking in terms of centimeters (ie, unipolar communication) affect a patient's understanding of the situation? And is it better to speak of "common-rare" side effects (ie, bipolar communication) instead of the number of people who have suffered from particular side effects (ie, unipolar communication)? METHODS: Two questionnaires were created and used, one presenting the information in terms of opposites (ie, bipolar communication) and another using unipolar communication. RESULTS: The participants' perception of their situation (in terms of feeling healthy-ill, being at high-low risk, and their treatment requiring high-low commitment) varied in the two conditions. Moreover, self-reported levels of understanding and satisfaction with how the information was communicated were higher when opposites were used. LIMITATIONS: Since this is the first study that addresses the merits of using bipolar structures versus unipolar structures in doctor-patient communication, further work is needed to consolidate and expand on the results, involving not only simulated but also real diagnostic contexts. CONCLUSION: The encouraging results imply that further testing of the use of opposites in informed consent forms and in doctor-patient communication is strongly advisable.

Long-term quality of life profile in oncology: a comparison between cancer survivors and the general population.

PURPOSE: Understanding the quality of life (QoL) of cancer survivors is relevant to both clinical practice and health care policy. The current study compared the QoL profile in this specific population with that of a normative sample for the general population, as well as with those of both healthy and oncological patients normative sub-samples. In addition, associations between the obtained QoL profile and the main socio-demographic and clinical characteristics of the sample were examined. METHODS: Three hundred and ninety-two adult long-term cancer survivors (i.e., people 5 + years from their cancer diagnosis who were free from it and its treatments) were enrolled during follow-up visits and compiled the Short Form 36 Health Survey. RESULTS: In comparison with the normative data for the adult general population, the present sample showed lower scores in Physical functioning, Role-physical limitation, and Role-emotional limitations (all differences were both statistically and clinically significant); the difference in Vitality was only statistically significant. In all eight SF-36 scales, scores of the present sample were clinically and statistically lower than those of the normative healthy subsample, whereas they were statistically and clinically higher than those of normative subsample which had experienced cancer, except for Role-physical limitation. The QoL profile was associated with gender (p = 0.002), age (p = 0.001), education (p < 0.001), occupational status (p < 0.001), and the presence of other health issues (p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: These data support the utility of rehabilitative programs which integrate both healthcare and social interventions. In addition, they encourage the monitoring of the health status of this specific population, within a broad frame which simultaneously takes into consideration health and QoL.

Emotional impact on the results of BRCA1 and BRCA2 genetic test: an observational retrospective study.

BACKGROUND: BRCA1 and BRCA2 mutations are associated with a higher risk of breast and ovarian tumors. This study evaluated the emotional states of women 1 month after having received the results of the genetic test and assessed eventual associations with the type of outcome, personal/familiar disease history and major socio-demographic variables. METHODS: The study, an observational retrospective one, involved 91 women, evaluated 1 month after receiving their results. Patients were administered the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale, the Profile of Mood States and emotional Thermometers. RESULTS: Anxiety was significantly higher than depression (p < 0.001), and 21.3% and 21.3% of the sample were, respectively, possible and probable cases for anxiety, whereas 13.5% and 10.1% were possible and probable cases for depression. Within the six mood states, Confusion-Bewilderment (M = 48.5) was the lowest, whereas Fatigue-Inertia (M = 52.3) was the highest. Differences were recorded within the ten assessed emotions too. Being a proband/nonproband and being or not a cancer patient were associated with many tested variables. CONCLUSION: The psycho-emotional screening of women undertaking genetic counseling is relevant and should cover a large range of dimensions.

Psychological health in long-term cancer survivorship: an Italian survey on depression and anxiety.

Since long-term survivorship is now a reality for an increasingly number of people with a history of cancer, understanding their psychological health can inform health care policy as well as help supporting individual patients. This study was aimed to describe depression and anxiety (i.e. two of the most common psychological symptoms reported in oncology) in a sample of Italian long-term cancer survivors (LTCSs) defined as people who have been free from cancer and cancer treatments for at least five years. Four hundred and four Italian adult LTCSs completed a battery of questionnaires including the Zung Self-rating Depression Scale and the State Anxiety sub-scale of the State-Trait Anxiety Inventory respectively for depression and anxiety assessment. 16.5% of the sample displayed mild depression, 11.1% moderate depression, and 7.1% severe depression. depression was negatively associated with education (p = .017), perceived social support as provided by the family (p = .028), and perceived social support provided by friends (p = .008), and it was positively associated with occupational status (p = .023), presence of health issues (p = .010), and anxiety (p < .001). 8.7 and 15.8% of the sample were respectively possible and probable cases of anxiety. Anxiety was negatively associated with occupational status (p = .038) and it was positively associated with depression (p < .001). These data support ongoing assessment and monitoring of depression and anxiety in LTCSs, and stimulate the development and testing of psychological interventions for such individuals. In addition, they encourage further study on the psychological health of this specific population.