Physical Activity: A Systematic Review to Inform Nurse Recommendations During Treatment for Colorectal Cancer.

Colorectal cancer (CRC) is the third most common cancer in the world (American Cancer Society [ACS], 2021). Because of increasing survival rates, there is a need improve survivors' quality of life (QOL), physical functioning, recurrence risk, and comorbidity prevalence (ACS, 2020). Many patients with CRC have poor QOL during and after treatment; other common side effects include fatigue, depression, anxiety, and decreased sleep quality (Bourke et al., 2014; Cramer et al., 2014; Gao et al., 2020). Focusing on the treatment period is important because physical activity (PA) may decrease side effects and prevent PA decline and functional decline, both of which can become significant barriers to PA following treatment. In addition, patients with CRC have a higher rate of comorbidities than patients without cancer, making lifestyle changes pre- and post-treatment particularly important for their continued survival and QOL (ACS, 2020).

Initiation and changes in use of social media for peer support among young adult cancer patients and survivors.

PURPOSE: Social isolation is a prominent challenge for many young adults with cancer. Despite desires for peer-to-peer connections through technology, little is known about how young adults initiate or use social media for support over time. METHODS: We interviewed young adults with cancer (n = 45; age 18-39, in or post cancer treatment) to explore their initiation of social media for support, changes in use over time, and types of connections sought. RESULTS: Young adults with cancer learn about online support through individual personal recommendations, advocacy organizations, or searching on Google or social media. Most were reluctant to use social media support initially because of feeling overwhelmed-from diagnoses, abundance of online information, or demands of participation-and joined when informational and emotional needs arose. Many wished they had joined earlier. Some participants use social media to make close connections while others simply want to "see" others' shared experiences or crowdsource information. CONCLUSION: Young adults with cancer often haphazardly find online support from personal recommendations or Internet searches. Desires for social media connections are not one-size-fits-all; there are important audience segmentations for the degree and type of peer support. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Better promotion of online social support options and benefits-early in one's cancer timeline and systematically through healthcare providers, cancer organizations, or family and friends-could improve access to helpful peer-to-peer support.

Promoting physical activity in young adult cancer survivors using mHealth and adaptive tailored feedback strategies: Design of the Improving Physical Activity after Cancer Treatment (IMPACT) randomized controlled trial.

INTRODUCTION: Despite the health benefits of physical activity for cancer survivors, nearly 60% of young adult cancer survivors (YACS) are physically inactive. Few physical activity interventions have been designed specifically for YACS. PURPOSE: To describe the rationale and design of the IMPACT (IMproving Physical Activity after Cancer Treatment) trial, which tests the efficacy of a theory-based, mobile physical activity intervention for YACS. METHODS: A total of 280 physically inactive YACS (diagnosed at ages 18-39) will be randomized to a self-help control or intervention condition. All participants will receive an activity tracker and companion mobile app, cellular-enabled scale, individual videochat session, and access to a Facebook group. Intervention participants will also receive a 6-month mobile intervention based on social cognitive theory, which targets improvements in behavioral capability, self-regulation, self-efficacy, and social support, and incorporates self-regulation strategies and behavior change techniques. The program includes: behavioral lessons; adaptive goal-setting in response to individuals' changing activity patterns; tailored feedback based on objective data and self-report measures; tailored text messages; and Facebook prompts encouraging peer support. Assessments occur at baseline, 3, 6, and 12 months. The primary outcome is total physical activity min/week at 6 months (assessed via accelerometry); secondary outcomes include total physical activity at 12 months, sedentary behavior, weight, and psychosocial measures. CONCLUSIONS: IMPACT uniquely focuses on physical activity in YACS using an automated tailored mHealth program. Study findings could result in a high-reach, physical activity intervention for YACS that has potential to be adopted on a larger scale and reduce cancer-related morbidity. ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT03569605.

Radiodermatitis in Patients With Cancer: Systematic Review and Meta-Analysis.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: A systematic review and meta-analysis was conducted to inform the development of guidelines on the management of radiodermatitis among patients with cancer. LITERATURE SEARCH: The authors updated a systematic review to include available literature published through September 30, 2019. DATA EVALUATION: Two investigators assessed risk of bias using the Cochrane Collaboration risk-of-bias tool and certainty of the evidence using the GRADE (Grading of Recommendations Assessment, Development and Evaluation) approach. SYNTHESIS: The use of deodorant/antiperspirant had no effect on development of radiodermatitis. Aloe vera and emu oil were equivalent or less effective than standard care. Oral curcumin had a minimal beneficial effect. Nonsteroidal topical interventions had a minimal beneficial effect on the development of moist desquamation and relief of itching while causing a small increase for grade 2 radiodermatitis. Topical calendula increased risk for the development of radiodermatitis. Topical steroids and dressings each showed benefits to minimize the development of radiodermatitis and moist desquamation while lowering rates of patient-reported symptoms, such as pain and pruritus. IMPLICATIONS FOR RESEARCH: Symptom management strategies for radiodermatitis among patients with cancer that are likely to be effective include topical nonsteroidals, topical steroids, and dressings. SUPPLEMENTAL MATERIAL CAN BE FOUND AT HTTPS: //bit.ly/2FWj3Kp.

Attracting Users to Online Health Communities: Analysis of LungCancer.net's Facebook Advertisement Campaign Data.

BACKGROUND: With growing numbers of adults turning to the internet to get answers for health-related questions, online communities provide platforms with participatory networks to deliver health information and social support. However, to optimize the benefits of these online communities, these platforms must market effectively to attract new members and promote community growth. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study was to assess the engagement results of Facebook advertisements designed to increase membership in the LungCancer.net online community. METHODS: In the fall of 2017, a series of 5 weeklong Facebook advertisement campaigns were launched targeting adults over the age of 18 years with an interest in lung cancer to increase opt ins to the LungCancer.net community (ie, the number of people who provided their email to join the site). RESULTS: The advertisements released during this campaign had a sum reach of 91,835 people, and 863 new members opted into the LungCancer.net community by providing their email address. Females aged 55 to 64 years were the largest population reached by the campaign (31,401/91,835; 34.29%), whereas females aged 65 and older were the largest population who opted into the LungCancer.net community (307/863; 35.57%). A total of US $1742 was invested in the Facebook campaigns, and 863 people opted into LungCancer.net, resulting in a cost of US $2.02 per new member. CONCLUSIONS: This research demonstrates the feasibility of using Facebook advertising to promote and grow online health communities. More research is needed to compare the effectiveness of various advertising approaches. Public health professionals should consider Facebook campaigns to effectively connect intended audiences to health information and support.