Access, acceptance and adherence to cancer prehabilitation: a mixed-methods systematic review.

PURPOSE: The purpose of this systematic review is to better understand access to, acceptance of and adherence to cancer prehabilitation. METHODS: MEDLINE, CINAHL, PsychINFO, Embase, Physiotherapy Evidence Database, ProQuest Medical Library, Cochrane Library, Web of Science and grey literature were systematically searched for quantitative, qualitative and mixed-methods studies published in English between January 2017 and June 2023. Screening, data extraction and critical appraisal were conducted by two reviewers independently using Covidence™ systematic review software. Data were analysed and synthesised thematically to address the question 'What do we know about access, acceptance and adherence to cancer prehabilitation, particularly among socially deprived and minority ethnic groups?' The protocol is published on PROSPERO CRD42023403776 RESULTS: Searches identified 11,715 records, and 56 studies of variable methodological quality were included: 32 quantitative, 15 qualitative and nine mixed-methods. Analysis identified facilitators and barriers at individual and structural levels, and with interpersonal connections important for prehabilitation access, acceptance and adherence. No study reported analysis of facilitators and barriers to prehabilitation specific to people from ethnic minority communities. One study described health literacy as a barrier to access for people from socioeconomically deprived communities. CONCLUSIONS: There is limited empirical research of barriers and facilitators to inform improvement in equity of access to cancer prehabilitation. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: To enhance the inclusivity of cancer prehabilitation, adjustments may be needed to accommodate individual characteristics and attention given to structural factors, such as staff training. Interpersonal connections are proposed as a fundamental ingredient for successful prehabilitation.

A cancer personalised activity and lifestyle tool (CAN-PAL): A codesign study with patients and healthcare professionals.

AIMS: To codesign a cancer personalised activity and lifestyle tool (CAN-PAL) based on an existing tool. To help cancer care workers support people affected by cancer to plan and integrate physical activity into lifestyles. DESIGN: Mixed-methods codesign study. METHODS: Phase 1: Focus groups with people affected by cancer (n = 10) or interviews (n = 2) to discuss suitable physical activities and adaptation of the existing tool. Data were recorded, transcribed and analysed thematically. Themes informed the design of the prototype CAN-PAL and user guide. Phase 2: Healthcare professionals considered the potential use of the CAN-PAL prototype and completed an online survey including the system usability scale and free text responses. RESULTS: Phase 1: Identified suitable physical activities and four themes were identified including: Capability, benefits, barriers and resources which informed the prototype CAN-PAL and user guide. Phase 2: The user survey was completed by 12 healthcare professionals. Median (range) system usability scale was 80 (50-95) (best score 100), scores >68 indicate good or better usability. Themes from the free text comments included strengths, amendments, considerations and limitations. Results were used to finalise CAN-PAL and the user guide. CONCLUSION: The codesigned CAN-PAL tool had good usability. Further work is needed to evaluate the impact of CAN-PAL on activity levels and behaviour in people affected by cancer. RELEVANCE TO CLINICAL PRACTICE: People affected by cancer need support to undertake physical activity. The purpose of CAN-PAL is to assist cancer care workers to support people affected by cancer to plan and integrate physical activity into lifestyles. PATIENT OR PUBLIC CONTRIBUTION: Public partners considered the findings from Phase 1 and 2 and informed the design of the prototype, final CAN-PAL and user guide and coauthored the paper. REPORTING METHOD: The study adhered to relevant EQUATOR guidelines; the study was reported according to the COREQ checklist.

Factors Associated With Practice of Multimodal Care for Cancer Cachexia Among Physicians and Nurses Engaging in Cancer Care.

PURPOSE: Multimodal care for cancer cachexia is needed. This study examined factors associated with practicing multimodal cachexia care among physicians and nurses engaging in cancer care. METHODS: This was a preplanned secondary analysis of a survey investigating clinicians' perspectives on cancer cachexia. Data of physicians and nurses were used. Data on knowledge, skills, and confidence in multimodal cachexia care were obtained. Nine items on practicing multimodal cachexia care were evaluated. Participants were divided into two groups as practicing multimodal cachexia care (above median value for the nine items) or not. Comparisons were made using the Mann-Whitney U test or chi-square test. Multiple regression analysis was performed to identify the factors of practicing the multimodal care. RESULTS: Total of 233 physicians and 245 nurses were included. Significant differences were observed between the groups: female sex (P = .025), palliative care versus oncology specialization (P < .001), the number of clinical guidelines used (P < .001), the number of symptoms used (P = .005), training for cancer cachexia (P = .008), knowledge on cancer cachexia (P < .001), and confidence in cancer cachexia management (P < .001). Palliative care specialization (partial regression coefficient [B] = 0.85; P < .001), the number of clinical guidelines used (B = 0.44; P < .001), knowledge on cancer cachexia (B, 0.94; P < .001), and confidence in cancer cachexia management (B = 1.59; P < .001) were statistically significant in multiple regression analysis. CONCLUSION: Specialization in palliative care, specific knowledge, and confidence were associated with the practice of multimodal care for cancer cachexia.

Educational needs of self-care in cachectic cancer patients and caregivers.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: To give an overview of what is known about the educational component of supportive care for people with cancer cachexia and their family caregivers. RECENT FINDINGS: The educational needs for self-care by people with cancer cachexia are largely unmet. There is potential for education to enable self-care that mitigates cachexia-related distress with benefit to quality of life and mitigates malnutrition/malnutrition risk with implications for treatment tolerance and outcomes. Theoretically informed approaches to cancer cachexia education for patients and their family members are needed if optimal methods for support of self-care are to be identified. The cancer workforce also needs education to have the confidence and knowledge to play a role in the cancer cachexia education of their patients. SUMMARY: To address the educational needs of self-care in cachectic cancer patients and their caregivers, there is much work to do. Healthcare professionals need to know the best educational process and methods for cachexia for supporting quality of life and to facilitate improving cancer treatment outcomes including survival.

The promotion of homebased physical activity for people with lung cancer and cachexia, a qualitative study of healthcare professionals, patients and carers.

PURPOSE: There is some evidence of the benefits of physical activity (PA) in patients with lung cancer; however, there is a lack of understanding of acceptable PA for patients with established cachexia and how to facilitate sustainable behaviour change to promote PA. Therefore, this study explored the views of healthcare professionals (HP), patients with lung cancer and cachexia, and their carers on preferences for, barriers and facilitators of homebased PA. METHODS: This qualitative study involved ten telephone interviews with HPs and face-to-face interviews with seven patients with lung cancer and cachexia and their carers. Interviews were transcribed and analysed thematically. The Capability, Opportunity, Motivation and Behaviour (COM-B) model was used as a framework for the thematic cross-group analysis. RESULTS: The types of homebased PA suggested by patients with lung cancer and cachexia (n = 7), their carers (n = 7) and HPs (n = 10) were functional, flexible, individualised and initially of short duration and low intensity. PA was influenced by themes within physical and psychological Capability, physical and social Opportunities as well as automatic and reflective Motivation. CONCLUSION: Based on a behaviour change theory, principles to promote homebased PA were developed. These principles need to be integrated into tools to promote PA in people with lung cancer and weight loss. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: The application of the proposed principles by clinicians will promote physical activity, enhancing the function and wellbeing of patients with lung cancer and reducing burden on carers.

Top Ten Tips Palliative Care Clinicians Should Know About Cachexia.

Cachexia is a multifactorial syndrome that is common in cancer and chronic disease. It is often underdiagnosed and therefore goes untreated or undertreated. Cachexia causes suffering across biopsychosocial domains and affects patients and their loved ones. In this article, a group of clinicians and researchers across cancer care, nutrition, and exercise offers tips about assessment, classification, and management of cachexia, with attention to its stage. The required multimodal management of cachexia mirrors well the interprofessional collaboration that is the mainstay of interdisciplinary palliative care and attention to screening, diagnosis, and management of cachexia is critical to maximize patients' quality of life.

Cancer care for people with dementia: Literature overview and recommendations for practice and research.

As many countries experience population aging, patients with cancer are becoming older and have more preexisting comorbidities, which include prevalent, age-related, chronic conditions such as dementia. People living with dementia (PLWD) are vulnerable to health disparities, and dementia has high potential to complicate and adversely affect care and outcomes across the cancer trajectory. This report offers an overview of dementia and its prevalence among patients with cancer and a summary of the research literature examining cancer care for PLWD. The reviewed research indicates that PLWD are more likely to have cancer diagnosed at an advanced stage, receive no or less extensive cancer treatment, and have poorer survival after a cancer diagnosis. These cancer disparities do not necessarily signify inappropriately later diagnosis or lower treatment of people with dementia as a group, and they are arguably less feasible and appropriate targets for care optimization. The reviewed research indicates that PLWD also have an increased risk of cancer-related emergency presentations, lower quality processes of cancer-related decision making, accessibility-related barriers to cancer investigations and treatment, higher experienced treatment burden and higher caregiver burden for families, and undertreated cancer-related pain. The authors propose that optimal cancer care for PLWD should focus on proactively minimizing these risk areas and thus must be highly person-centered, with holistic decision making, individualized reasonable adjustments to practice, and strong inclusion and support of family carers. Comprehensive recommendations are made for clinical practice and future research to help clinicians and providers deliver best and equitable cancer care for PLWD and their families.

Development and validation of questionnaires for eating-related distress among advanced cancer patients and families.

BACKGROUND: Eating-related distress (ERD) is one type of psychosocial distress among advanced cancer patients and family caregivers. Its alleviation is a key issue in palliative care; however, there is no validated tool for measuring ERD. METHODS: The purpose of this study was to validate tools for evaluating ERD among patients and family caregivers. The study consisted of a development and validation/retest phase. In the development phase, we made preliminary questionnaires for patients and family caregivers. After face validity and content validity, we performed an exploratory factor analysis and discussed the final adoption of items. In the validation/retest phase, we examined factor validity with an exploratory factor analysis. We calculated Pearson's correlation coefficients between the questionnaire for patients, the Functional Assessment of Anorexia/Cachexia Therapy Anorexia Cachexia Subscale (FAACT ACS) and the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire-Cachexia 24 (EORTC QLQ-CAX24) and Pearson's correlation coefficients between the questionnaire for family caregivers and the Caregiver Quality of Life Index-Cancer (CQOLC) for concurrent validity. We calculated Cronbach's alpha coefficients (Cronbach's alpha) and intraclass correlation coefficients (ICCs) for internal consistency and test-retest reliability. We performed the Mann-Whitney U test between the questionnaires and cancer cachexia based on criteria from the international consensus for known-group validity. RESULTS: In the development phase, 162 pairs of patients and family caregivers were asked to participate, and 144 patients and 106 family caregivers responded. In the validation/retest phase, 333 pairs of patients and family caregivers were asked to participate, and 234 patients and 152 family caregivers responded. Overall, 183 patients and 112 family caregivers did the retest. Seven conceptual groups were extracted for the ERD among patients and family caregivers, respectively. Patient factors 1-7 correlated with FAACT ACS (r = -0.63, -0.43, -0.55, -0.40, -0.38, -0.54, -0.38, respectively) and EORTC QLQ-CAX24 (r = 0.58, 0.40, 0.60, 0.49, 0.38, 0.59, 0.42, respectively). Family factors 1-7 correlated with CQOLC (r = -0.34, -0.30, -0.37, -0.37, -0.46, -0.42, -0.40, respectively). The values of Cronbach's alpha and ICC of each factor and all factors of patients ranged from 0.84 to 0.96 and 0.67 to 0.83, respectively. Those of each factor and all factors of family caregivers ranged from 0.84 to 0.96 and 0.63 to 0.84, respectively. The cachexia group of patients had significantly higher scores than the non-cachexia group for each factor and all factors. CONCLUSIONS: Newly developed tools for measuring ERD experienced by advanced cancer patients and family caregivers have been validated.

Holistic multimodal care for patients with cancer cachexia and their family caregivers.

Patients with cancer cachexia frequently suffer from physical symptoms and psychological symptoms of illness, which can lead to emotional distress in patients and family caregivers. Although there is no standard care to manage cancer cachexia despite its high prevalence and negative impact on quality of life in patients and family caregivers, there is accumulating evidence showing the importance of holistic multimodal care for cancer cachexia. However, there is no agreement on the essential components of holistic multimodal care. Therefore, the aims of this review are to give an overview of what is known about the holistic multimodal care and to suggest the composition of a multidisciplinary team to achieve holistic interventions. Holistic multimodal care for cancer cachexia is defined as an approach that addresses physical health through medical, pharmacological, nutritional, and rehabilitative interventions as well as psychological, emotional, and social well-being issues according to the needs of patients and family caregivers. Moreover, an ideal multidisciplinary team is proposed to achieve holistic interventions based on patient- and family-centered care. However, the development of educational programs on cancer cachexia for both clinicians and patients and family caregivers is needed. Furthermore, measurements to assess the benefits of holistic multimodal care also need to be established.

The role of the nurse in meeting the educational needs for self-care in cachectic cancer patients and their family caregivers: A scoping review.

Objective: To give an overview of what is known about the nurse contribution to education in self-care by people with cancer cachexia and their family caregivers. Nurse-led patient education can help patients and their family caregivers to manage cancer symptoms, cancer treatments, and treatment side effects. Methods: This scoping review explored the extent to which nurse-led education has become part of the multimodal management of cancer cachexia. It is based on a systematic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, APA PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library. Search limits were English language, date ranges from January 2015 to March 2023, and adults 18 years and older. Results: A total of 6370 titles were screened, 127 papers and conference abstracts were selected for full-text examination, and 9 publications were included in the review. The analysis found the nurses within the multidisciplinary cancer cachexia care team, like other healthcare professionals, do not have a shared understanding of cancer cachexia and its management. For nurses to be confident and competent in the provision of nurse-led cachexia education, they themselves need evidence-based education in cachexia care and how to tailor education according to cachexia stage, symptoms, emotional response, and social circumstance. Conclusions: Nurses with the knowledge and confidence to provide cancer cachexia education for their patients can potentially play an important role in the management of cancer cachexia and mitigation of cachexia-related problems.

Psychological symptoms of illness and emotional distress in advanced cancer cachexia.

PURPOSE OF REVIEW: Cachexia induces both physical and psychological symptoms of illness in patients with advanced cancer and may generate emotional distress in patients and families. However, physical symptoms of cachexia received the most emphasis. The aims of this review are to elucidate a link between systemic inflammation underlying cachexia and psychological symptoms and emotional distress, and to advance care strategy for management of psychological symptoms and emotional distress in patients and families. RECENT FINDINGS: The main themes in the literature covered by this review are psychological symptoms in patients and emotional distress in patients and families. Studies of the underlying biology of cachexia identify the role of the central nervous system to amplify tumor-induced systemic inflammation. The brain mediates a cluster of symptoms, such as sleep disruption, anxiety, cognitive impairment, and reduction in motivated behavior (notably anorexia). These are distressing to patients as well as to families. SUMMARY: There is growing recognition that holistic multimodal interventions are needed to alleviate psychological symptoms and emotional distress and to improve quality of life in patients with cancer cachexia and families. This is an approach that addresses not only physical health but also psychological, emotional, and social well being issues.

Targeted self-management limits fatigue for women undergoing radiotherapy for early breast cancer: results from the ACTIVE randomised feasibility trial.

PURPOSE: The ACTIVE intervention uses a novel fatigue propensity tool to target a behavioural fatigue self-management programme for women undergoing radiotherapy for early breast cancer. We assess feasibility and outcomes for ACTIVE. METHODS: Mixed methods comprised a randomised feasibility trial with qualitative process evaluation and a nested fatigue risk substudy. Participants at a higher risk of fatigue were allocated 2:1 to behavioural intervention or information alone. Participants at a lower risk of fatigue entered the fatigue risk substudy. Feasibility was assessed by rates of eligibility, recruitment, retention and adherence. Qualitative interviews explored acceptability of the intervention and trial processes. Measures of fatigue, anxiety, depression, quality of life and self-efficacy were self-reported before, during and 10 days, 3 weeks and 6 months after radiotherapy. Pre-treatment fatigue risk score and post-treatment fatigue were correlated. RESULTS: Fifty percent (n = 75) of eligible patients were recruited with 33 higher risk participants randomised to the trial and 42 entering the fatigue risk score substudy. Trial design and methods were feasible and acceptable with 91% of participants completing all measures according to protocol. Fatigue was clinically-significantly lower in the intervention group during, and in the weeks after, treatment compared to the control: all secondary measures favoured the intervention group. Positive group differences were not maintained at 6 months. CONCLUSION: Our targeted approach to fatigue self-management is feasible and acceptable within the early breast cancer pathway. Multiple benefits were reported by patients who received the intervention, which is worthy of further investigation. TRIAL REGISTRATION: ISRCTN 10303368. Registered August 2017. Health and Care Research Wales Clinical Trial Portfolio Registration 31419.

"We're talking about black men here, there's a difference"; cultural differences in socialised knowledge of prostate cancer risk: A qualitative research study.

PURPOSE: To detail social knowledge of prostate cancer risk amongst cultural groups. Prostate cancer is the most common cancer in men, and black men are at the highest risk. Despite this, black men are the least likely to be diagnosed early with prostate cancer. It is important to understand why this is so that these men can receive early access to effective treatment and support. METHODS: A constructivist grounded theory methodology was used. Data were collected between December 2015 and October 2017; seventeen men were interviewed, and eighteen men took part in focus groups. RESULTS: There were differences in the way the men constructed their understanding of risks for prostate cancer. The social construction of prostate cancer risk knowledge was mediated by the way the men were socialised to understand and accept this risk. The Somali and African Caribbean men placed social importance on the healthy body, whereas the white working class men seemed to find social value through the unwell body. This research proposes the theory that social constructions of knowledge mediate the way men perceive and accept their risk for prostate cancer. CONCLUSION: Understanding socially-derived knowledge of risk may mediate the acceptance of factors relating to prostate cancer. This knowledge may help health providers and third sector organisations produce targeted health-related information. Health practitioners may also benefit from understanding how socially constructed ideas of the body could influence the way men respond to conversations about prostate cancer so that tailored and culturally appropriate support can be offered.

Perspectives of Health Care Professionals on Multimodal Interventions for Cancer Cachexia.

Background: Holistic multimodal interventions have not been established for cancer cachexia. The beliefs and perceptions of health care professionals (HCPs) based on their experiences influence the interventions. Objectives: HCPs' knowledge, perceptions, and practices in cancer cachexia management were evaluated. Design/Setting/Subjects/Measurements: A nationwide questionnaire survey was conducted that focused on the perspectives of HCPs on interventions in 451 designated cancer hospitals across Japan. Descriptive statistics were applied. Results: Among 2255 participants, 1320 responded (58.5%), and 1188 in 258 institutes were included in the analysis. The current international definition of cancer cachexia is not commonly known and recent clinical practice guidelines have not been widely adopted. More than 50% of participants considered ≥5% weight loss in six months and ECOG PS (Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group Performance Status) 2-4 to be cancer cachexia, whereas 50% answered that there was no relationship between life expectancy and cancer cachexia. Participants tended to consider it important to initiate nutritional and exercise interventions before cancer cachexia becomes apparent. The majority of participants recognized the importance of holistic multimodal interventions, particularly for the management of physical and psychological symptoms; however, only 20% reported that they educated patients and families. Furthermore, 33% of participants considered themselves to have provided patients and families with sufficient nutritional and exercise interventions and evidence-based information. Conclusion: The results reveal that HCPs are not regularly providing education and emotional support to patients and families suffering from cancer cachexia. The results also show the need for education for HCPs to enhance implementation of holistic multimodal interventions for cancer cachexia.

Nutritional care in colorectal cancer-what is the state of play?

AIM: Nutrition is associated with aetiology and impacts outcomes in colorectal cancer (CRC). This study aimed to explore nutritional symptoms and concerns of patients with CRC and CRC dietetic resource across the UK. METHODS: Study 1 is a descriptive analysis of nutrition-related measures in the ColoRectal Wellbeing (CREW) study, a prospective 5-year longitudinal cohort study of a representative sample of 872 adults with non-metastatic CRC. Study 2 is a descriptive analysis of data collected using a freedom of information request to all UK trusts/boards on dietetic resources for CRC. RESULTS: Study 1 found that 31% of CREW participants wanted more diet and lifestyle advice. At 3 months post-surgery, 10% reported poor appetite. A fifth experienced weight loss and 16% had concerns regarding weight loss 9 months post-surgery. In study 2 just 3% of hospitals providing CRC services had a dedicated CRC dietitian (hepato-pancreato-biliary, 11.1%; head and neck cancer, 14.3%). There was no dietetic outpatient follow-up of CRC patients in 72% of hospitals. CONCLUSIONS: Dietetic resource for patients with CRC is scarce even though weight loss, poor appetite and unmet needs are common and persist over time. Work is needed to embed nutritional care into the management of patients with CRC.

A randomized, feasibility trial of an exercise and nutrition-based rehabilitation programme (ENeRgy) in people with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Despite rehabilitation being increasingly advocated for people living with incurable cancer, there is limited evidence supporting efficacy or component parts. The progressive decline in function and nutritional in this population would support an approach that targets these factors. This trial aimed to assess the feasibility of an exercise and nutrition based rehabilitation programme in people with incurable cancer. METHODS: We randomized community dwelling adults with incurable cancer to either a personalized exercise and nutrition based programme (experimental arm) or standard care (control arm) for 8 weeks. Endpoints included feasibility, quality of life, physical activity (step count), and body weight. Qualitative and health economic analyses were also included. RESULTS: Forty-five patients were recruited (23 experimental arm, 22 control arm). There were 26 men (58%), and the median age was 78 years (IQR 69-84). At baseline, the median BMI was 26 kg/m2 (IQR: 22-29), and median weight loss in the previous 6 months was 5% (IQR: -12% to 0%). Adherence to the experimental arm was >80% in 16/21 (76%) patients. There was no statistically significant difference in the following between trial arms: step count - median % change from baseline to endpoint, per trial arm (experimental -18.5% [IQR: -61 to 65], control 5% [IQR: -32 to 50], P = 0.548); weight - median % change from baseline to endpoint, per trial arm (experimental 1%[IQR: -3 to 3], control -0.5% [IQR: -3 to 1], P = 0.184); overall quality of life - median % change from baseline to endpoint, per trial arm (experimental 0% [IQR: -20 to 19], control 0% [IQR: -23 to 33], P = 0.846). Qualitative findings observed themes of capability, opportunity, and motivation amongst patients in the experimental arm. The mean incremental cost of the experimental arm versus control was £-319.51 [CI -7593.53 to 6581.91], suggesting the experimental arm was less costly. CONCLUSIONS: An exercise and nutritional rehabilitation intervention is feasible and has potential benefits for people with incurable cancer. A larger trial is now warranted to test the efficacy of this approach.

The Psychosocial Components of Multimodal Interventions Offered to People with Cancer Cachexia: A Scoping Review.

The supportive care of people with cancer cachexia is a rapidly evolving field. In the past decade, multimodal treatments have been developed and new multidisciplinary cachexia clinics have been established across the world. This scoping review examines the extent to which psychosocial support has become part of the multimodal management of cancer cachexia. The review draws on a systematic search of Medline, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and the Cochrane Library for publications about people who have cancer cachexia and receive multimodal interventions. Search limits were the English language, date range January 2013 to March 2021, and adults 18 years and older. The search found 19 papers about multimodal interventions for either cancer cachexia or its defining feature involuntary weight loss that included a psychosocial component. This review found three different ways a psychosocial component of a multimodal intervention can help patients: (1) enable adherence to multimodal therapies; (2) aid emotional adaptation and coping; and (3) treat comorbid anxiety and depression. Recognizing these three different functions of psychosocial support is important because they have different mechanisms of action. Behavioral change techniques are important for enabling adherence, education in coping methods is important to alleviate stress, and cognitive reframing for the treatment of anxiety and depression. The analysis reveals that multimodal interventions for cancer cachexia with a psychosocial component can either focus on physical health or have a more holistic focus. Holistic care is considered the best practice in cancer nursing. Thus multimodal interventions that can address not only physical health problems, but psychosocial issues are consistent with high-quality nursing care.

Potential for identification of memory problems in the cancer clinic to enable improved treatment experience and outcomes: Mixed methods case study research.

PURPOSE: To inform improvement in cancer treatment experience and outcomes for people with dementia or milder cognitive impairment. People with dementia, compared to those without, experience more side effects from cancer treatment and have poorer outcomes including poorer survival. METHODS: The research was a mixed methods exploratory case study. Each case was a cancer treatment in a person with memory loss, a common symptom of dementia. Observations were conducted in 30 clinic sessions at one cancer centre between September 2014 and February 2015. Thirty-three encounters between people with a memory problem and a staff member were observed and ten consultations recorded. Interviews were conducted with five staff members and six people receiving cancer treatment, five accompanied by their carer. Analysis, informed by hermeneutic phenomenology, enabled the treatment pathway to be mapped and modelled to reveal sites for intervention. FINDINGS: Five potential sites of intervention were identified in the treatment pathway. Five actions at the sites of intervention that may improve patient experience and outcomes include, raising awareness of common problems for people with cognitive impairment receiving cancer treatment, encouraging disclosure of memory problems, staff training to identify memory problems and to know what to do, offering tools and techniques to aid self-management of memory problems, and addressing carer support needs. CONCLUSION: Embedding biomedical treatment of cancer within a dementia-friendly psychosocial system may enable safe cancer treatment for a greater number of people with dementia or milder cognitive impairment.

Nurses' decision-making about cancer patients' end-of-life skin care in Wales: an exploratory mixed-method vignette study protocol.

INTRODUCTION: Patients with cancer are at high risk of developing pressure ulcers at the end of life as a result of their underlying condition or cancer treatment. There are many guidelines which set out best practice with regard to end-of-life skin care. However, the complexity of palliative cancer care often means that it is challenging for nurses to make the appropriate person-centred decisions about end-of-life skin care. This study seeks to explore the perceived importance that nurses place on different factors in their end-of-life skin care for patients with cancer. The utility, face validity and content validity of a prototype decision-making tool for end-of-life skin care will also be evaluated. METHODS AND ANALYSIS: A mixed-method design will be used to gather data from primary and secondary care nurses working in different hospitals and local authority areas across Wales. Clinical vignettes will be used to gather qualitative and quantitative data from nurses in individual interviews. Qualitative data will be subject to thematic analysis and quantitative data will be subject to descriptive statistical analysis. Qualitative and quantitative data will then be synthesised, which will enhance the rigour of this study, and pertinently inform the further development of an end-of-life skin care decision-making tool for patients with cancer. ETHICS AND DISSEMINATION: Ethical approval to undertake the study has been granted by Cardiff University School of Healthcare Sciences Research Governance and Ethics Screening Committee. Informed consent will be obtained in writing from all the participants in this study. The results of this study will be disseminated through journal articles, as well as presentations at national and international conferences. We will also report our findings to patient and public involvement groups with an interest in improving cancer care, palliative care as well as skin care.

Using Card Games to study cultural differences in men's social talk about prostate cancer.

AIM: To report the Card Games approach used to study men's talk about their risk for prostate cancer and as a method of data collection to analyse patterns of talk among distinct cultural groups. DESIGN: A constructivist grounded theory approach using focus groups to analyse men's social talk about prostate cancer. METHODS: Data were collected using three focus groups with African-Caribbean, Somali, and White British men. The focus groups were conducted in a location of the men's choice with a focus group facilitator and observer. Four Card Games were given to the men to encourage social talk. RESULTS: The African-Caribbean men had the most democratic talk with the use of agreement and disagreement and the Somali men were the most inclusive of others and used the most humour. The White British men were competitive in their talk and the least inclusive of each other's views. CONCLUSION: The Card Games revealed differences in the pattern of talk, which provided insight into how men may use social talk to develop their understanding of prostate cancer risk. This is useful for healthcare professionals as it provides a grounding for structuring discussions with men about prostate cancer, while understanding of how risk-related knowledge may be reconstructed in social talk and interactions. IMPACT: The methodology discussed in this paper addressed the use of focus group to analyse talk of men from culturally diverse groups. The use of Card Games allowed the talk between the men to take centre stage and this allowed differences in the social talk of the men to become apparent. The use of this methodology could have an impact on approaches to researching cultural understandings of cancer risk, which may provide evidence on effective delivery of sociocultural relevant health education relating to cancer screening.