Effects of Prenatal Breastfeeding Education on Breastfeeding Duration Beyond 12 Weeks: A Systematic Review.

The proportion of infants in the United States who are breastfed at 1 year remains well below the Healthy People 2030 target. The health implications of suboptimal breastfeeding durations are significant, including increased risk of childhood leukemia and maternal Type 2 diabetes. Prenatal breastfeeding education provides an opportunity to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy among pregnant individuals and to establish their coping skills in case future breastfeeding problems arise. Although prenatal breastfeeding education is known to improve breastfeeding self-efficacy, characteristics of prenatal breastfeeding education interventions that are successful at increasing breastfeeding duration have not been well defined. Using Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses guidelines and the Health Action Process Approach, we conducted a systematic review of the literature examining the impact of prenatal breastfeeding education interventions on breastfeeding duration measured at least 12 weeks postpartum. Twenty-one studies were identified. Prenatal breastfeeding education was most likely to increase breastfeeding duration when education interventions integrated psychological components (Health Action Process Approach coping planning) or were paired with in-person postpartum breastfeeding support. Additional research is needed to examine the role of psychological components in breastfeeding education interventions in diverse populations and to determine the specific psychological intervention components with the greatest impact on breastfeeding duration.

Psychosexual responses to BRCA gene mutations in women of childbearing age.

BACKGROUND: Diagnosis of a BRCA gene mutation presents a dilemma because life-changing medical decisions must be made to prevent breast and ovarian cancer. There is minimal evidence regarding how psychosexual functioning, psychological well-being with regard to body image and sexuality, affects the decision to have prophylactic treatment in women of childbearing age (WCBA; 18-49 years) with a BRCA gene mutation. PURPOSE: To explore, describe, and interpret the experience of women with a BRCA mutation during the treatment and decision-making process. METHODOLOGY: A qualitative descriptive design was used to recruit participants online through social media postings and from national and local BRCA support groups. Participants participated in semistructured interviews exploring their experience after BRCA diagnosis. Interpretive descriptive analysis was used to identify themes. RESULTS: The purposive sample comprised 18 women aged 21-49 years. Four major themes, such as body image, sexuality, femininity, and childbearing/childrearing, were identified that influenced decisions related to the diagnosis and management of a BRCA mutation. All participants voiced that concerns regarding body image and sexuality caused hesitancy in their decision to have prophylactic surgery. Women who had undergone bilateral prophylactic mastectomy were concerned about the impact of the surgery, scarring, breast disfigurement, and the lack of sensation resulting from surgical intervention. CONCLUSIONS: Psychosexual concerns arise from internal and external influences that significantly affect the decision to undergo prophylactic measures. Therefore, body image, sexuality, and sexual orientation should all be addressed during the decision-making process. IMPLICATIONS: Provider communication and preparation for realistic surgical outcomes can be improved to assist WCBA throughout the decision-making process and enhance psychosexual functioning.

Associations of meaning of illness with psychosocial, clinical, and immunological characteristics in patients with Leptomeningeal metastasis.

Background: Leptomeningeal metastasis (LM) creates symptoms related to both the disease within the nervous system and treatment toxicities. Biologic processes, such as inflammation and behavioral processes, such as the meaning ascribed to illness (Meaning of Illness: MoI), can impact physical and psychosocial symptoms. The aim of this study was to understand the relationships among MoI, physical and psychosocial symptoms, and inflammation in patients with LM. Methods: Thirty enrolled participants completed the MD Anderson Symptom Inventory-Brain Tumor with spine experimental symptoms added. Meaning of illness, quality of life (QoL), and depression were captured by validated instruments. Interleukin (IL)-6 and tumor necrosis factor (TNF)-α in serum and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) were measured by ELISA. Correlations were performed to assess relationships among the variables. Results: Participants were primarily white (73%), female (63%). Median age was 54 years (34-83). Breast (50%) and lung (20%) were most common diagnosis. Higher MoI scores were associated with better QoL (p < .01) and fewer depressive symptoms (p < .01). All CSF samples contained IL-6 and all but one sample had elevated IL-6. Higher levels of IL-6 in the CSF were associated with greater symptom burden (p < .01) and interference of symptoms in daily life (p = .02) but not MoI. Conclusions: MoI was associated with QoL and depression. High levels of IL-6 in the CSF were associated with more severe symptoms. This study provides the groundwork for future research, including interventional studies to improve QoL in patients with LM.

Interdependence of physical and psychological morbidity among patients with cancer and family caregivers: Review of the literature.

OBJECTIVE: Caregivers for patients with cancer have an integral role in maintaining patients' health. Although patients and caregivers experience the impact of cancer individually, studies suggest their health is interdependent. The objective of this review was to synthesize the literature on interdependent physical and psychological morbidity in patient-caregiver dyads published since 2016. METHODS: A search of PubMed, CINAHL, Embase, and PsycInfo databases was performed using Cooper's recommendations and the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews And Meta-Analyses Guidelines. Studies were included if they measured individual physical or psychological morbidity in cancer patient-caregiver dyads, evaluated interdependence, and were published in a peer-reviewed journal. RESULTS: Twenty-three studies met criteria, characterized by mainly spousal dyads. Studies included a variety of cancers and methodologies. Findings were inconsistent, indicating varying interdependence. However, the studies demonstrated a stronger relationship between patients' and caregivers' psychological morbidity than between their physical morbidity. CONCLUSIONS: This review revealed a need for continued exploration of dyadic health interdependence. Future studies should consider samples of patients with a single type of cancer, testing cultural mediators/moderators, and using longitudinal designs.

A systematic review of dyadic studies examining depression in couples facing breast cancer.

Problem identification: The aim was to synthesize the dyadic literature on depression among couples in which one person has breast cancer.Literature search: A database search (PubMed, PsychInfo, CINAHL) was conducted to synthesize the literature. Studies' methodological quality was evaluated, and correlates of depression/interdependence were abstracted.Data evaluation/synthesis: Ten (of 270) studies met the inclusion criteria and were of satisfactory methodological quality. Depression is prevalent in both patients and partners, and was correlated with many psychosocial variables including sexual satisfaction, relationship quality, social support, and appraisal of health. Depression in one member of the dyad predicted depression in their companion.Conclusions: Levels of relationship quality, sexual satisfaction, and support felt by couples facing breast cancer may be predictive of depression in each individual. The depressive state of one partner appears to influence the other. More research is needed to support dyadic strategies for mitigating depression in couples facing breast cancer.

Research Agenda of the Oncology Nursing Society: 2019-2022.

PROBLEM STATEMENT: To define the Oncology Nursing Society Research Agenda for 2019-2022. DESIGN: Multimethod, consensus-building approach by members of the Research Agenda Project Team. DATA SOURCES: Expert opinion, literature review, surveys, interviews, focus groups, town hall, and review of research priorities from other cancer care organizations and funding agencies. ANALYSIS: Content analysis and descriptive statistics were used to synthesize research priority themes that emerged. FINDINGS: Three priority areas for scientific development were identified. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The Research Agenda can be used to focus oncology nurses' research, scholarship, leadership, and health policy efforts to advance quality cancer care, inform research funding priorities, and align initiatives and resources across the ONS enterprise.

Penis Cancer: The Lived Experience.

BACKGROUND: This qualitative study examined the experiences of men with penis cancer. Cancer of the penis is a rare and debilitating disease, affecting 1 in 100 000 men in Western countries. Although much has been written about the medical treatment of the disease, little has been published about the experiences of men who have penis cancer. OBJECTIVE: The aim of this study is to gain an understanding of the lived experiences of men with cancer of the penis. METHODS: Using face-to-face audio-taped interviews with a semi-structured guide, the researcher recruited a purposive sample of 13 men who had been treated for penile cancer. Heidegger's hermeneutic phenomenology served as the philosophical underpinning and Colazzi's method was used to analyze the data. RESULTS: Six main themes emerged from the data: Misdiagnosis, Secrecy, "Cancer is cancer," Sexual Issues, Support, and Awareness and Prevention. CONCLUSIONS: Men diagnosed and treated for penis cancer reported numerous issues related to misdiagnosis, delayed treatment, and reluctance to share experience with family, friends, and coworkers. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Gaining more knowledge of the experiences of men with penile cancer will provide additional insights for healthcare providers to create holistic practice guidelines for the care of men and their loved ones who are affected. It is recommended to change the terminology to penis cancer, instead of penile cancer, to promote public awareness, education, prevention, and early treatment.

The 2014-2018 Oncology Nursing Society Research Agenda.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To identify priority areas of research for the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Research Agenda for 2014-2018, consistent with ONS's mission to promote excellence in oncology nursing and quality cancer care
. DATA SOURCES: Review of the literature, 2013 ONS Research Priorities Survey, National Institute of Nursing Research, and the National Cancer Institute research foci
. DATA SYNTHESIS: Multimethod consensus-building approach by content leaders and content experts of the ONS Research Agenda Project Team
. CONCLUSIONS: The 2014-2018 Research Agenda Project Team identified eight high-priority research areas: symptoms, late effects of cancer treatment and survivorship care, palliative and end-of-life care, self-management, aging, family and caregivers, improving healthcare systems, and risk reduction. In addition, four cross-cutting themes were identified: biomarkers, bioinformatics, comparative effectiveness research, and dissemination and implementation science. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The Research Agenda is a synthesis of the state of the science in cancer and identifies gaps and directions for the conduct and dissemination of research. Oncology nurses can use the agenda to inform clinical practice, develop research proposals, inform policy makers, support interdisciplinary research efforts, and promote scientist and clinician collaborations in targeted patient-centered research
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Management of steroid-induced hyperglycemia in hospitalized patients with cancer: a review.

PROBLEM IDENTIFICATION: Glucocorticoids are prescribed for hospitalized patients with cancer for a variety of reasons, including cerebral edema, treatment and prevention of nausea, and as part of cancer treatment regimens. Glucocorticoids are known to cause hyperglycemia. The purpose of this study was to integrate the published research on the management and the effects of steroid-induced hyperglycemia in hospitalized adult patients with cancer with or without preexisting diabetes. LITERATURE SEARCH: MEDLINE®, PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL®, and Scopus electronic databases were used to identify relevant articles. Bibliographies of included studies were reviewed for any pertinent studies that were not obtained through database search.Data Evaluation: 1,392 studies were identified. A total of 18 studies that met criteria were fully reviewed, 6 of which met all of the inclusion criteria. DATA ANALYSIS: Data were abstracted from the included studies using a systematic code sheet to document characteristics of the studies and findings on management of hyperglycemia. Characteristics of the studies and findings on management of hyperglycemia were organized into three tables: the patients did not have preexisting diabetes, the patients had preexisting diabetes, and patients with or without preexisting diabetes were both included in the study. Management and effects of management of hyperglycemia were then compared and synthesized.Presentation of Findings: Hyperglycemia occurs in hospitalized patients with cancer irrespective of whether patients have a prior history of diabetes. Hyperglycemia resulting from steroids is treated in a variety of ways, but the resulting glycemic control has not been consistently documented. However, this review suggests that scheduled insulin (basal-bolus) is effective in attainment of glucose targets. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Nurses should be aware of the effect that steroids have on glycemic control in patients and should be empowered to request or perform blood glucose monitoring when appropriate. Nurses can identify those patients receiving steroids and assess for signs and symptoms of hyperglycemia. They also can review routine laboratory results and assess for hyperglycemia in patients receiving steroids.

Predictors of cervical cancer screening adherence in the United States: a systematic review.

Cervical cancer incidence rates have decreased dramatically since the implementation of the Papanicolaou (Pap) smear. Nevertheless, the American Cancer Society (ACS) estimates for 2013 predicted more than 12,000 new cases of cervical cancer in the United States. Given that some subpopulations in the United States are at a higher risk for cervical cancer than others, efforts to increase screening adherence are warranted. Many studies have explored the demographics of underscreened women, but no systematic reviews of screening demographics in adult US women were identified in the past 10 years, after release of the 2002 ACS cervical cancer screening guidelines. Knowledge of adherence to these guidelines becomes important as new guidelines were developed and released in 2012. The purpose of this systematic review of relevant studies was to identify factors that predict the use of cervical cancer screening in US women. Variables found to be significantly associated with adherence to screening included education, financial status, acculturation, psychosocial issues, and marital status. Using this information, nurse practitioners and other providers can target specific at-risk populations to increase screening by educating women about the need for cervical cancer screening and ensuring access to methods for prevention and early detection of the disease.

Impact of an incentive-based mobility program, "Motivated and Moving," on physiologic and quality of life outcomes in a stem cell transplant population.

BACKGROUND: Research suggests that patients experience increased fatigue, reduced physical activity, and diminished quality of life (QOL) after hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT). Structured exercise during hospitalization has been shown to maintain or improve fatigue. Incentive-based interventions have not been tested to encourage physical activity maintenance. OBJECTIVES: The study's aim was to evaluate the effect of participation in an incentive-based mobility program on fatigue, physical conditioning, performance status, and QOL in individuals undergoing allogeneic HSCT. We hypothesized that program participation would affect these variables and that time spent engaged in physical activity would correlate with improved outcomes. METHODS: A 1-group repeated-measures design used the Brief Fatigue Inventory, 6-minute walk test, and the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant Scale to assess study variables. Repeated-measures models assessed the effect of participation time on these variables. RESULTS: Individuals with higher participation (minutes) significantly increased 6-minute walk test scores throughout hospitalization but had no significant changes in Brief Fatigue Inventory and Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Bone Marrow Transplant Scale scores. Fatigue and QOL decreased over hospitalization but improved by discharge. Subjects who demonstrated higher participation averaged fewer hospital days (R = 1.65; P = .005). CONCLUSIONS: This study is unique in examining the impact of an incentive-based mobility program, participation in which may decrease length of hospital stay for HSCT patients. Randomized trials are needed to further validate these findings and assess additional variables that can influence outcomes. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: An incentive-based mobility program during hospitalization for HSCT has the potential to minimize fatigue and stabilize, if not improve, QOL.

Personal health records, symptoms, uncertainty, and mood in brain tumor patients.

BACKGROUND: The advantages of patient access to the electronic medical record (EMR) through integrated personal health records (PHR) may be substantial, and foremost is the enhanced information flow between patient and practitioner. Because this is an emerging technology, the actualized benefits to complex patient groups remain largely unknown. MD Anderson Cancer Center provides web-based PHR portal access to the EMR including clinic notes, MRI results, and pathology reports. This study sought to evaluate PHR use by glioma patients. METHODS: Cross-sectional survey and PHR-derived user data from 186 patients were analyzed using descriptive and inferential statistics. Logistic regression assessed disparities between users and nonusers. Dependence of PHR access on treatment stage was tested through linear regression. Path analysis evaluated PHR access, disease-related uncertainty, symptom experience, and mood. RESULTS: Patients averaged 44.2 years (range 19y-80y), 77% had a high-grade tumor, and 60% had accessed PHR at least one time (range 0-126). Strongest predictors of access included education level (college level or higher), low performance status, middle income, and in-state residency. Patients undergoing treatment were more active users. PHR access was associated with lower disease-related uncertainty and lower symptom severity. Mood was not directly related to PHR use but mediated an association between symptom severity and uncertainty. CONCLUSIONS: While many reports presume better disease and symptom understanding for patients with EMR access, this study is the first to correlate PHR use to lower patient uncertainty levels. Early examination of PHR provides an important basis for critical evaluation and optimization to better structure this benefit for brain tumor patients.

Priorities for oncology nursing research: the 2013 national survey.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To advance the goals of evidence-based care and prioritize the knowledge generation that addresses contemporary challenges in oncology nursing. Results are used to inform the development of the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) Research Agenda and by the ONS Foundation to develop strategic research initiatives. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional survey. SETTING: Web-based survey. SAMPLE: 8,554 ONS members from all levels of education. All doctorally prepared members were invited to participate. A random stratified sample was obtained from the remainder of the membership. METHODS: The ONS Research Priorities Survey project team created the survey and analyzed and interpreted the results. Members received an email invitation and follow-up reminders for survey completion. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: Oncology nursing research and evidence-based practice topic questions. FINDINGS: The response rate was 11%, which is comparable to previous surveys. Topics ranked included descriptive research on patient adherence; intervention studies to optimize adherence, achieve concordance with cancer screening guidelines in minority populations, manage neurologic and cardiovascular late effects, and manage symptoms and symptom clusters; and studies to identify optimal delivery models for survivorship care. These findings have direct implications for translating existing evidence into practice and underscore the need for intervention research focused on improving patient-centered outcomes. CONCLUSIONS: Results provide a broad assessment of member views regarding oncology research priorities. Given the response rate, additional strategies to encourage member participation will be considered. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The results, together with the updates of the ONS Research Agenda, can guide ONS and ONS Foundation research and evidence-based practice initiatives.

Lung Cancer Screening With Low-Dose CT: Its Effect on Smoking Behavior.

Lung cancer screening provides an opportunity for smoking cessation interventions. A review of the literature found that smokers who participated in lung cancer screening had a higher smoking cessation rate compared with smokers in the general population. However, the randomized controlled trials included in the review did not identify any difference in smoking cessation rates between the individuals who had a CT scan to screen for lung cancer and unscreened control groups. Multiple studies observed participants for lengths of time ranging from 1 to 36 months and concluded that individuals who received abnormal CT results had a higher smoking cessation rate compared with participants with normal CT results. A single study that observed participants for 6 years initially found similar increased cessation rates among those with abnormal CT results, but at the conclusion of the study the difference in cessation rates had dissipated. Lung cancer screening produces a teachable moment when individuals may be more receptive to smoking cessation interventions. Advanced practitioners should take an active role in promoting smoking cessation interventions and fostering this teachable moment created by lung cancer screening.

Brain tumor symptoms as antecedents to uncertainty: an integrative review.

PURPOSE: Uncertainty is a common experience within human cancer. For brain tumor patients, irregular symptom pattern and presentation may promote uncertainties about treatment response, prognosis, and life quality. We sought to identify the somatic symptom experience associated with primary and secondary brain tumors and the potential impact on illness-related uncertainty. METHODS: An integrative literature search of Medline and the Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL) was performed. Symptom data were excerpted into tables and reviewed critically against the broader uncertainty-focused oncology literature. RESULTS: Twenty-one studies investigated a diverse range of brain tumor symptoms that persist through the now-expanding, post-treatment survival. While symptoms such as fatigue were common, antecedents and patterns were poorly characterized and inconsistent between and within categories of tumor. CONCLUSIONS AND IMPLICATIONS: Symptom investigation is an emerging and rapidly developing area of neuro-oncology. The extent to which symptoms are familiar, predictable, and understandable can mitigate uncertainty. The unstable nature of symptoms across the trajectory of a brain tumor may be a significant corollary to illness-related uncertainty. CLINICAL RELEVANCE: Because the majority of brain tumor patients cannot be cured of their cancer, understanding the symptom expanse and potential to promote uncertainty could inform alternative nursing strategies to reduce anxiety and distress, and to preserve life quality where cure is often unattainable.

Using an evidence-based practice process to change child visitation guidelines.

The multidimensional scope of nursing practice requires a nurse to provide not only physical and psychosocial interventions for patients, but also to support the family, particularly as the end of life approaches. One of the highest priorities for patients at the end of life is being able to spend time with the family members who are most important to them. In the case of a parent with young children, such visits can provide a sense of joy and peace that is important to the overall well-being of all.

Review of symptom experiences in children and adolescents with cancer.

BACKGROUND: Inadequate symptom relief in children and adolescents with cancer leads to unnecessary suffering. This review assesses research on children and adolescents with cancer that had been published from 2002 to 2010. OBJECTIVES: The review identifies the symptom experiences of children and adolescents undergoing treatment and describes the progress that has been made since Docherty's 2003 systematic review of nurse researcher published studies from 1990 to 2002, which identified gaps in research on the symptoms of pediatric oncology patients. METHOD: A computerized search of medical and nursing literature produced 50 published studies and 2 dissertations that addressed the symptom experiences of children and adolescents receiving treatment for cancer. RESULTS: Pain from cancer-related procedures and fatigue were the most frequently identified symptoms, followed closely by nausea and vomiting. More preschool-aged subjects and nonwhite subjects need to be assessed, distinctions between age groups and gender should be explored, and instrumentation for the prereading group must be developed. CONCLUSIONS: Research on symptoms experienced by children and adolescents has gained momentum within the last 10 years, and some of the gaps identified by Docherty have been addressed. Multicenter trials would increase sample sizes and decrease enrollment time. IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: By synthesizing research completed from 2002 to 2010 on symptoms of children who had cancer, new ideas can be generated and shared with clinical nursing staff to improve patient care. Gaps to further direct research are also identified.

Advancing the scope of nursing practice: hepatic arterial catheter removal.

A delay in hepatic artery infusion catheter removal may prolong patient discomfort and lead to additional complications. As a result, this article evaluated the effectiveness of shifting the responsibility of catheter removal from advanced practice or medical staff to nurses. Overall, patients were satisfied, felt comfortable, and experienced minimal pain irrespective of whether their catheter was removed by a nurse, physician, or advanced practice staff. Nurses also were satisfied and felt they had enhanced their ability to provide quality patient care.

Oncology nursing society putting evidence into practice resources: where are we now and what is next?

Evidence-based practice can be hard to implement in the "real world" of clinical care. A set of reference cards with outcome-specific intervention options can make that practice possible. The Oncology Nursing Society Putting Evidence Into Practice (ONS PEP) resources cover 16 topics to improve care for patients with cancer and their families. A survey evaluated awareness of the tools and the need for further research on their adoption. The survey also elicited target topics for future ONS PEP resources. Awareness of the resources varies among different nursing roles. Increased awareness among clinicians can guide and support improved patient care.

2008 ONS research priorities survey.

PURPOSE/OBJECTIVES: To determine the priorities of oncology nursing research, including the effect of evidence-based practice resources as identified by the Oncology Nursing Society (ONS) membership in June 2008. DESIGN: Descriptive, cross-sectional. SETTING: A Web-based survey of ONS members. SAMPLE: Stratified into three groups: a representative random sample of the general membership (n = 4,460, 421 responded), an over-sampled random sample of advanced practice nurses (n = 980, 149 responded), and all ONS members who were doctorally prepared (n = 589, 143 responded); 713 responded overall. METHODS: The 2004 survey was revised and the new 2008 survey was beta tested. The invitation to complete the survey was sent via e-mail with a link to the survey Web site. A follow-up reminder was sent one week after the initial invitation. MAIN RESEARCH VARIABLES: 70 oncology nursing research topic questions, divided into five categories, and two additional categories regarding ONS Putting Evidence Into Practice resources. FINDINGS: Quality of life and pain were the two highest rated topics, consistent with 2000 and 2004 research priority survey findings. Eleven topics were new to the top 20 ranked priority topics in 2008. Differences in rankings were apparent between member groups. CONCLUSIONS: The respondents represented the broad spectrum of ONS membership. Changes in topic rankings indicate that oncology nursing research priorities have shifted since the 2004 survey. The lag in research result dissemination to clinical practice may account for differences in topic rating between groups. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The survey results will be used to develop the 2009-2013 ONS Research Agenda. The results also will assist the ONS Foundation and other funding agencies in setting priorities.