Real-World Assessment of Recommended COVID-19 Vaccination Waiting Period after Chemotherapy.

There is a knowledge gap concerning the proper timing for COVID-19 vaccination in cancer patients undergoing chemotherapy. We aimed to evaluate the suitability of the guidelines that recommend waiting at least three months after undergoing chemotherapy before receiving a COVID-19 vaccine. This retrospective cohort study used aggregated data from the TriNetX US Collaboratory network. Participants were grouped into two groups based on the interval between chemotherapy and vaccination. The primary outcome assessed was infection risks, including COVID-19; skin, intra-abdominal, and urinary tract infections; pneumonia; and sepsis. Secondary measures included healthcare utilization and all causes of mortality. Kaplan-Meier analysis and the Cox proportional hazard model were used to calculate the cumulative incidence and hazard ratio (HR) and 95% confidence intervals for the outcomes. The proportional hazard assumption was tested with the generalized Schoenfeld approach. Four subgroup analyses (cancer type, vaccine brand, sex, age) were conducted. Sensitivity analyses were performed to account for competing risks and explore three distinct time intervals. Patients receiving a vaccine within three months after chemotherapy had a higher risk of COVID-19 infection (HR: 1.428, 95% CI: 1.035-1.970), urinary tract infection (HR: 1.477, 95% CI: 1.083-2.014), and sepsis (HR: 1.854, 95% CI: 1.091-3.152) compared to those who adhered to the recommendations. Hospital inpatient service utilization risk was also significantly elevated for the within three months group (HR: 1.692, 95% CI: 1.354-2.115). Adhering to a three-month post-chemotherapy waiting period reduces infection and healthcare utilization risks for cancer patients receiving a COVID-19 vaccine.

Inequalities in access to information: The case of cancer patients treated at the prefecture of Meknes-Morocco "Qualitative Research in Sociology".

BACKGROUND: If in the past the relationship between caregiver and patient was paternalistic based on the principle of protection, the advent of health democracy has made this relationship evolve to build it on the principles of equality and autonomy for the patient. However, this practice leaves something to be desired, given the forms of inequality in access to information that mark the relationship between caregiver and cancer patient. MATERIALS AND METHODS: The objective of this qualitative study is to present a sociological view of the process of shaping inequalities in access to information and its determinants. The study took place in the medical prefecture of Meknes, with a target population consisting of cancer patients treated in public and private health establishments. A qualitative content analysis approach using semi-structured interviews was employed. RESULT: A diversity of attitudes of the cancer patient with regard to the information, depending on whether the patient is strongly or weakly involved by the health professional in his or her illness or in the care he or she receives. In this case: a) active patient better informed; b) passive patient more or less informed; c) patient in denial who refuses to be informed. CONCLUSION: It seems that the issue of inequality of access to information is not a topical one, and yet it is given little consideration in the policies of the Ministry of Health, particularly in the fight against cancer in Morocco.

Cancer Patient Navigation in Canada: Directions From the North.

OBJECTIVES: Cancer is a complex disease that is experienced by those affected by cancer and their loved ones differently. The importance of cancer patient navigation is quintessential to support those affected through the healthcare system and to supportive resources. Canadian cancer statistics advise of the continued increase of cancer and impacts on health care. With Canada being a large geographical area, large portions of the population live in rural and remote areas with decreased access to health services. In Canada, cancer navigation is different across the country; each province's or territory's health authority creates their own cancer navigation program based on the needs of their patients. This report aims to provide an overview of cancer in Canada, along with the different navigation programs available nationally. Additionally, it will review the role the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology/Association canadienne des infirmières en oncologie (CANO/ACIO) plays in creating a community of practice to support cancer patient navigators across the country. METHODS: The information on various provincial and territorial navigation programs was obtained through discussion with the CANO/ACIO Navigation Special Interest Group (SIG). All provinces and territories were interviewed with the exception of Quebec, Prince Edward Island, Nunavut, and Yukon. RESULTS: While the vast majority of navigation has a similar core intent, there are many differences between the provinces and territories in the navigation programs. These differences are based on geographical need and the individual health authorities. CONCLUSIONS: The Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology/Association canadienne des infirmières en oncologie (CANO/ACIO) provides a community for cancer navigators to connect through a Special Interest Group (SIG), meeting virtually monthly to support each other across Canada to collaborate, identify issues, trends, and challenges. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Cancer patient navigation is a valuable resource for all individuals with cancer and their loved ones, particularly when faced with difficulties accessing care in rural and remote areas. Cancer patient navigators' scope is similar in intent, despite potential differences in programs. By connecting with other navigators through the CANO/ACIO navigation SIG, navigators across the country can provide a connection to discuss program similarities and barriers and opportunities for cancer navigation programs to work together to support each other and evolve their programs to meet the needs of their provincial and territorial residents.

Percepción del impacto económico en pacientes con cáncer en un hospital de tercer nivel, La Paz - Bolivia: un estudio exploratorio cualitativo / Perception of the economic impact in patients diagnosed with cancer in a third level hospital, La Paz - Bolivia: a qualitative exploratory study

Los pacientes con cáncer experimentan además del impacto de la enfermedad, el impacto económico, y este es más evidente en los pacientes con escasos recursos económicos, los motivos son multifactoriales. OBJETIVO: describir la percepción sobre el impacto económico en los pacientes bolivianos con cáncer en el Hospital de Clínicas Universitario- La Paz. MÉTODOS: el diseño es cualitativo exploratorio, muestreo por bola de nieve, se realizaron entrevistas a profundidad dirigidas a pacientes con cáncer del hospital de Clínicas Universitario de La Paz- Bolivia entre diciembre de 2018 a febrero de 2019. RESULTADOS: se entrevistaron a 11 pacientes y 9 familiares. Se han identificado el impacto de los gastos en los pacientes con cáncer en las siguientes categorías: Ahorros y deudas, vivienda, trabajo, familia, tratamiento, esfera psicológica, gastos a futuro, y en el cuidado de otros enfermos en la casa. Las percepciones son variables, algunos pacientes muestran mayor preocupación por su economía que por su enfermedad, relatan además el cambio que significó en su económica recibir el diagnóstico de cáncer en distintas áreas. CONCLUSIÓN: se ha encontrado, en el presente trabajo, que la percepción del impacto económico para los pacientes con cáncer es multidimensional. Se ha evidenciado además, que el impacto depende del estadio de la enfermedad y del contexto social que vive el paciente, siendo este variable y dando como resultado necesidades de acompañamiento variable por parte de los equipos oncológicos

Cancer patients experience, is about disease´s and economic impact, and this impact is more evident in patients with limited economic resources in low-income countries, the reasons are multifactorial. OBJECTIVE: describe the perception of the economic impact on Bolivian patients with cancer at the Hospital de Clínicas Universitario-La Paz. METHODS: the design is qualitative and exploratory, sampling was by snowball, in-depth interviews were conducted at cancer patients at the Clínicas Universitario de La Paz hospital - Bolivia between December 2018 and February 2019. RESULTS: 11 patients and 9 family members were interviewed. The impact of expenses on cancer patients has been identified in the following categories: Savings and debts, housing, work, family, treatment, psychological sphere, future expenses, and caring for other patients at home. Perceptions are variable, some patients show more significant concern about their finances than about their illness, and they also report the change that receiving the diagnosis of cancer meant in their finances in different areas. CONCLUSION: in this investigation, the perception of economic impact on cancer patients is multidimensional. It has also been shown that the impact depends on the stage of the disease, and the social context in which the patient lives, this being variable and resulting in variable support needs from the oncology teams

Comprehensive Geriatric Assessment and Quality of Life Aspects in Patients with Recurrent/Metastatic Head and Neck Squamous Cell Carcinoma (HNSCC).

To define frailty in older cancer patients, the aim of this study was to assess the geriatric status and quality of life (QoL) aspects in patients suffering from recurrent/metastatic head and neck squamous cell carcinoma (r/m HNSCC) under palliative treatment. A comprehensive geriatric assessment (CGA) was performed on 21 r/m HNSCC patients at two defined assessments, and the QoL aspects and the impact of descriptive data were evaluated. The Kolmogorov-Smirnov test, Spearman's rho correlation, and two-way mixed ANOVA were used for statistical analysis. All patients were found to be "frail". Pain, fatigue, and the burden of illness were the highest-rated symptoms. Oral function and orofacial appearance were highly impaired. A significant impact of descriptive data on the CGA and QoL results was found (all p ≤ 0.05). Thus, the CGA results revealed high frailty, severe comorbidities, and high impairments in QoL aspects. The CGA and QoL results were negatively affected by the primary HNSCC treatment approach, the need for prosthetic treatment, and worse oral functional capacity. Therefore, frailty in r/m HNSCC patients seems to be multidimensional. The evaluation of the CGA and QoL aspects in r/m HNSCC patients can be recommended to detect special needs, organize aftercare, and improve the support for frail and vulnerable cancer patients to create a multidisciplinary treatment approach.

Psychometric properties of the 37-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function (FACT-Cog) scale.

Aim: To validate the French version of the 37-item Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Cognitive Function, including the four items related to multitasking, previously excluded from the scoring algorithm. Materials & methods: A cross-sectional study was carried out among 261 cancer patients. Validity was confirmed by factor analyses using the principal component analysis technique. Results: Construct validity was demonstrated, and items loaded on subscales with adequate sample adequacy to factor analyses outcomes. Better cognitive functioning was noted with age and in working patients, whereas lower functioning was observed in metastatic patients. Conclusion: The 37-item French tool is valid and reliable; questions related to multitasking could be included in the score.

A study was carried out among 261 cancer patients to evaluate their cognitive function using the French version of a 37-item validated scale. Our results demonstrated that the tool is valid and reliable. Better cognition was noted in older patients compared with younger ones, and lower cognitive functioning was observed in patients with metastatic cancer. This newly validated tool could help clinicians assess cognition in their routine practice.

COVID-19 and access to cancer care in Kenya: patient perspective.

COVID-19 disruptions severely impacted access to health services for noncommunicable diseases, including cancer, but few studies have examined patient perspectives of COVID-19-induced barriers to care in low/middle-income countries. Data come from a survey completed online, over the phone or in person of 284 adult people with cancer in Kenya. One-third (36%) of participants had primary or no education and 34% had some or complete secondary education. Half of the participants (49%) were aged 40 to 59, 21% were 18 to 39 and 23% were 60 or older. Two-thirds were female (65%) and most visited a national referral hospital in Nairobi to receive care (84%). Mean travel time to Nairobi from the respondent county of residence was 2.47 hours (±2.73). Most participants reported decreased household income (88%) and were worried about their ability to afford cancer treatment due to COVID-19 (79%). After covariate adjustment, participants who lost access to hospitals due to COVID-19 travel restrictions were 15 times more likely to experience a cancer care delay (OR = 14.90, 95% CI: 7.44-29.85) compared to those with continued access to hospitals. Every additional hour of travel time to Nairobi from their county of residence resulted in a 20% increase in the odds of a cancer care delay (OR = 1.20, 95% CI: 1.06-1.36). Transportation needs and uninterrupted access to cancer care and medicines should be accounted for in COVID-19 mitigation strategies. These strategies include permits for cancer patients and caregivers to travel past curfew time or through block posts to receive care during lockdowns, cash assistance and involving patient navigators to improve patient communication.

Development and validation of a Modified Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment as a nutritional assessment tool in cancer patients.

BACKGROUND: Completing Patient-Generated Subjective Global Assessment (PG-SGA) questionnaires is time consuming. This study aimed to develop and validate an easy-to-use modified PG-SGA (mPG-SGA) for cancer patients. METHODS: Seventy professionals assessed the content validity, comprehensibility, and difficulty of the full PG-SGA. A survey including the PG-SGA and other questionnaires was completed by 34 071 adult hospitalized cancer patients with first cancer diagnosis or recurrent disease with any tumour comorbidities from the INSCOC study. Among them, 1558 patients were followed for 5 years after admission. Reliability and rank correlation were estimated to assess the consistency between PG-SGA items and to select mPG-SGA items. The external and internal validity, test-retest reliability, and predictive validity were tested for the mPG-SGA via comparison with both the PG-SGA and abridged PG-SGA (abPG-SGA). RESULTS: After deleting items that more than 50% of professionals considered difficult to evaluate (Worksheet 4) and items with an item-total correlation <0.1, the mPG-SGA was constructed. Nutritional status was categorized using mPG-SGA scores as well-nourished (0 points) or mildly (1-2 points), moderately (3-6 points), or severely malnourished (≥7 points) based on the area under curve (0.962, 0.989, and 0.985) and maximal sensitivity (0.924, 0.918, and 0.945) and specificity (1.000, 1.000, and 0.938) of the cut-off scores. The external and internal validity and test-retest reliability were good. Significant median overall survival differences were found among nutritional status groups categorized by the mPG-SGA: 24, 18, 14, and 10 months for well-nourished, mildly malnourished, moderately malnourished, and severely malnourished, respectively (all Ps < 0.05). Neither the PG-SGA nor the abridged PG-SGA could discriminate the median overall survival differences between the well-nourished and mildly malnourished groups. CONCLUSIONS: We systematically developed and validated the mPG-SGA as an easier-to-use nutritional assessment tool for cancer patients. The mPG-SGA appears to have better predictive validity for survival than the PG-SGA and abridged PG-SGA.

Ethical issues facing hematopoietic stem cell transplantation in India.

A successful Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HSCT) is often the only hope of survival for children suffering from a range of potentially life-threatening hematological malignancies. The financial, ethical, and emotional problems faced by the matched sibling donor and their recipient siblings during the HSCT are extremely complex and challenging. Herein, the authors have attempted to pen down these in the configuration of a poem.

Australian Experiences of Out-of-Pocket Costs and Financial Burden Following a Cancer Diagnosis: A Systematic Review.

(1) Background: This systematic review was conducted to identify cancer patient experiences, and the impact of out-of-pocket costs and financial burden in Australia. (2) Methods: A systematic review, following the Preferring Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses, was conducted. Cumulative Index of Nursing and Allied Health Literature and PubMed were searched. The primary outcome was financial burden among cancer patients and their families in Australia. The secondary outcome was out-of-pocket costs associated with cancer care and treatment within the population sample, and the impact of financial burden. (3) Results: Nineteen studies were included, covering more than 70,000 Australians affected by cancer. Out-of-pocket costs varied by cancer type and ranged from an average of AUD 977 for breast cancer and lymphoedema patients to AUD 11,077 for prostate cancer patients. Younger aged patients (≤65 years), Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander people, people in rural and/or remote areas, households with low income, those who were unemployed and people with private health insurance were at increased risk of experiencing out-of-pocket costs, financial burden or a combination of both. (4) Conclusions: Australians diagnosed with cancer frequently experience financial burden, and the health and financial consequences are significant. Focusing efforts on the costs of care and options about where to have care within the context of informed decisions about cancer care is necessary.

Unmet supportive care needs and associated factors among young adult cancer patients in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Young adult cancer patients often face unique challenges and have potential unmet needs. This study aimed (1) to describe unmet supportive care needs among young adults with cancer in Japan, and (2) to identify its associated factors. METHODS: In a cross-sectional web-based survey, 206 young adults with cancer were assessed for supportive care needs. Multiple regression analysis examined whether demographics, clinical variables and social support were associated with unmet supportive care needs. RESULTS: A total of 206 patients (180 female) with a mean age of 33.7 years (SD = 4.3, range: 22-39) participated. One hundred and fifty-eight participants (76.7%) reported at least one unmet supportive care needs. The top 20 unmet needs included 9 of the 10 psychological needs, 3 of the 5 physical and daily living needs, 8 of the 11 health system and information needs and 1 of the 5 sexuality needs. Multiple regression analysis revealed that perceived poorer PS, experience of change in work/school after a cancer diagnosis and poor social support were significantly associated with higher supportive care needs. The total score of supportive care needs was significantly associated with both psychological distress and QOL. CONCLUSIONS: More than 70% of young adult cancer patients reported unmet supportive care needs and most of those were psychological needs. The findings suggest potential opportunities for intervention in addressing psychological needs rather than physical and information needs.

Patient and tumour characteristics associated with inclusion in Cancer patient pathways in Norway in 2015-2016.

BACKGROUND: Cancer patient pathways (CPPs) were implemented in 2015 to reduce waiting time, regional variation in waiting time, and to increase the predictability of cancer care for the patients. The aims of this study were to see if the national target of 70% of all cancer patients being included in a CPP was met, and to identify factors associated with CPP inclusion. METHODS: All patients registered with a colorectal, lung, breast or prostate cancer diagnosis at the Cancer Registry of Norway in the period 2015-2016 were linked with the Norwegian Patient Registry for CPP information and with Statistics Norway for sociodemographic variables. Multivariable logistic regression examined if the odds of not being included in a CPP were associated with year of diagnosis, age, sex, tumour stage, marital status, education, income, region of residence and comorbidity. RESULTS: From 2015 to 2016, 30,747 patients were diagnosed with colorectal, lung, breast or prostate cancer, of whom 24,429 (79.5%) were included in a CPP. Significant increases in the probability of being included in a CPP were observed for colorectal (79.1 to 86.2%), lung (79.0 to 87.3%), breast (91.5 to 97.2%) and prostate cancer (62.2 to 76.2%) patients (p < 0.001). Increasing age was associated with an increased odds of not being included in a CPP for lung (p < 0.001) and prostate cancer (p < 0.001) patients. Colorectal cancer patients < 50 years of age had a two-fold increase (OR = 2.23, 95% CI: 1.70-2.91) in the odds of not being included in a CPP. The odds of no CPP inclusion were significantly increased for low income colorectal (OR = 1.24, 95%CI: 1.00-1.54) and lung (OR = 1.52, 95%CI: 1.16-1.99) cancer patients. Region of residence was significantly associated with CPP inclusion (p < 0.001) and the probability, adjusted for case-mix ranged from 62.4% in region West among prostate cancer patients to 97.6% in region North among breast cancer patients. CONCLUSIONS: The national target of 70% was met within 1 year of CPP implementation in Norway. Although all patients should have equal access to CPPs, a prostate cancer diagnosis, older age, high level of comorbidity or low income were significantly associated with an increased odds of not being included in a CPP.

Effectiveness of palliative care consultation service on caregiver burden over time between terminally ill cancer and non-cancer family caregivers.

PURPOSE: The responsibility of taking care of terminal patients is accepted as a role of family members in Taiwan. Only a few studies have focused on the effect of palliative care consultation service (PCCS) on caregiver burden between terminal cancer family caregivers (CFCs) and non-cancer family caregivers (NCFCs). Therefore, the purpose of this study is to address the effect of PCCS on caregiver burden between CFC and NCFC over time. METHODS: A prospective longitudinal study was conducted in a medical center in northern Taiwan from July to November 2017. The participants were both terminally ill cancer and non-cancer patients who were prepared to receive PCCS, as well as their family caregivers. Characteristics including family caregivers and terminal patients and Family Caregiver Burden Scale (FCBS) were recorded pre-, 7, and 14 days following PCCS. A generalized estimating equation model was used to analyze the change in the level of family caregiver burden (FCB) between CFC and NCFC. RESULTS: The study revealed that there were no statistically significant differences in FCB between CFC and NCFC 7 days and 14 days after PCCS (p > 0.05). However, FCB significantly decreased in both CFC and NCFC from pre-PCCS to 14 days after PCCS (ß = - 12.67, p = 0.013). PPI of patients was the key predictor of FCB over time following PCCS (ß = 1.14, p = 0.013). CONCLUSIONS: This study showed that PCCS can improve FCB in not only CFC but also NCFC. We suggest that PCCS should be used more widely in supporting family caregivers of terminally ill patients to reduce caregiver burden.

Does basic information concerning nutrition improve the information needs of breast cancer patients? An evaluation.

PURPOSE: International and national studies have shown unmet information needs regarding nutrition in breast cancer patients. An intervention study has examined the question of the extent to which a fact sheet on the topic of nutrition is suitable to cover the need for information of breast cancer patients. METHOD: The fact sheet with basic information on nutrition was distributed in 21 intervention breast care centres in 2017. The use of the fact sheets was evaluated in a quasi-experimental design as part of the annual breast cancer patients' survey of the University of Cologne. The breast cancer patients considered were being treated with primary breast carcinoma in a hospital in North Rhine-Westphalia. A multilevel analysis was carried out in order to quantify the effect of the intervention. RESULTS: Unmet information needs are experienced more by younger and non-native German-speaking patients. With regard to education, patients without a graduation and a high grade of education express more unmet information needs. The multilevel analysis showed that patients who were treated at an intervention site and therefore possibly received the fact sheet have a significantly higher chance of their information needs being met (OR = 1.45; p ≤ 0.05). CONCLUSION: The intervention study showed that a fact sheet with basic information on nutrition is a possible instrument to satisfy the information needs of breast cancer patients and therefore reduce unmet information needs regarding nutrition. This intervention study is a pragmatic example on how to reduce unmet information needs among breast cancer patients in Germany.

Patient Satisfaction with Navigator Interpersonal Relationship (PSN-I): item-level psychometrics using IRT analysis.

BACKGROUND: Patient navigation (PN) is a promising intervention to eliminate cancer health inequities. Patient navigators play a critical role in the navigation process. Patients' satisfaction with navigators is important in determining the effectiveness of PN programs. We applied item response theory (IRT) analysis to establish item-level psychometric properties for the Patient Satisfaction with Interpersonal Relationship with Navigators (PSN-I). METHODS: We conducted a confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) to establish unidimensionality of the 9-item PSN-I in 751 cancer patients (68% female) between 18 and 86 years old. We fitted unidimensional IRT models-unconstrained graded response model (GRM) and Rasch model-to PSN-I data, and compared model fit using likelihood ratio (LR) test and information criteria. We obtained item parameter estimates (IPEs), item category/operating characteristic curves, and item/test information curves for the better fitting model. RESULTS: CFA with diagonally weighted least squares confirmed that the one-factor model fit the data (RMSEA = 0.047, 95% CI = 0.033-0.060, and CFI ≈ 1). Responses to PSN-I items clustered into the 4th and 5th categories. We aggregated the first three response categories to provide stable parameter estimates for both IRT models. The GRM fit the data significantly better than the Rasch model (LR = 80.659, df = 8, p < 0.001). Akaike's information coefficient (6384.978 vs. 6320.319) and Bayesian information coefficient (6471.851 vs. 6443.771) were lower for the GRM. IPEs showed substantial variation in items' discriminating power (1.80-3.35) for GRM. CONCLUSIONS: This IRT analysis confirms the latent structure of the PSN-I and supports its use as a valid and reliable measure of latent satisfaction with PN.

Unmet supportive care needs in young adult cancer patients: associations and changes over time. Results from the AYA-Leipzig study.

PURPOSE: Coping with cancer at a young adult age (AYA) is a challenge for many patients and raises support needs. We aim to examine unmet supportive care needs and to investigate predictors of and changes in unmet needs over time. METHODS: We surveyed AYAs (18-39 years at time of diagnosis, diagnosis < 4 years) at two time points (t2 = 12 months after t1) using the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34) among other validated measures. We conducted multiple hierarchical regressions to identify sociodemographic, medical and psychosocial predictors of unmet needs. RESULTS: A total of 514 AYAs (386 women) with a mean age of 29.6 years participated at both times. Psychological needs (Mt1 = 35.7; Mt2 = 32.09; p = 0.001) and informational needs (Mt1 = 32.18; Mt2 = 29.04; p = 0.021) were the most often reported unmet needs at both measurements and decreased slightly at t2. All other SCNS domains, except for patient care, remained stable over time. Higher supportive needs were associated with greater levels of effort to cope with the disease at both times in all domains. Older age and female gender were significantly associated with two and one of six domains, respectively, at t1 and t2. CONCLUSIONS: AYAs reported primarily unmet psychological and informational needs, which were stable over time and indicated that AYAs do not have sufficient access to the support they need. The degree of effort to cope with cancer plays a key role in terms of unmet support needs. IMPLICATIONS FOR CANCER SURVIVORS: Regular screening for this variable in acute and especially follow-up care settings could pave the way for clinicians to offer more targeted support.

Advanced stage at diagnosis and elevated mortality among US patients with cancer infected with HIV in the National Cancer Data Base.

BACKGROUND: People living with HIV (PLWH) are at an increased risk of developing several cancers, but to the authors' knowledge less is known regarding how HIV impacts the rate of progression to advanced cancer or death. METHODS: The authors compared stage of disease at the time of presentation and mortality after diagnosis between 14,453 PLWH and 6,368,126 HIV-uninfected patients diagnosed with cancers of the oral cavity, stomach, colorectum, anus, liver, pancreas, lung, female breast, cervix, prostate, bladder, kidney, and thyroid and melanoma using data from the National Cancer Data Base (2004-2014). Polytomous logistic regression and Cox proportional hazards regression were used to evaluate the association between HIV, cancer stage, and stage-adjusted mortality after diagnosis, respectively. Regression models accounted for the type of health facility at which cancer treatment was administered and the type of individual health insurance. RESULTS: HIV-infected patients with cancer were found to be more likely to be uninsured (HIV-infected: 5.0% vs HIV-uninfected: 3.3%; P < .0001) and were less likely to have private health insurance (25.4% vs 44.7%; P < .0001). Compared with those not infected with HIV, the odds of being diagnosed at an advanced stage of disease were significantly elevated in PLWH for melanoma and cancers of the oral cavity, liver, female breast, prostate, and thyroid (odds ratio for stage IV vs stage I range, 1.24-2.06). PLWH who were diagnosed with stage I to stage III disease experienced elevated mortality after diagnosis across 13 of the 14 cancer sites evaluated, with hazard ratios ranging from 1.20 (95% CI, 1.14-1.26) for lung cancer to 1.85 (95% CI, 1.68-2.04), 1.85 (95% CI, 1.51-2.27), and 2.93 (95% CI, 2.08-4.13), respectively, for cancers of the female breast, cervix, and thyroid. CONCLUSIONS: PLWH were more likely to be diagnosed with advanced-stage cancers and to experience elevated mortality after a cancer diagnosis, even after accounting for health care-related factors.

Surgical breast cancer patient pathway: Experiences of patients and relatives and their unmet needs.

BACKGROUND AND AIM: Breast cancer is the most common cancer disease in women worldwide. In Denmark, the law prescribes cancer patient pathways (CPPs) in general and thus also for breast cancer. Although results from patient satisfaction surveys show overall satisfaction with the pathway, a call for improvement has been voiced for some areas. The aim of this study was to explore patients' and relatives' experiences with the surgical breast CPP and to identify any unmet needs. METHOD: This study was based on focus groups with patients who had surgery for breast cancer, and their relatives. The settings were two Danish surgical breast cancer clinics. FINDINGS: Overall, patients and relatives found the structure of the surgical breast CPP satisfactory. The time in the surgical department was short, and most patients found it difficult to cope with the situation. Empathy and a supportive relationship between patients, relatives and health-care professionals were of great importance. Five key points were identified in which some of the participants had unmet needs. Suggestions for change were related to information, communication, choice of treatment, flexibility in the pathway and easy access to the clinic after surgery. CONCLUSION: Although patients and relatives found the CPP for breast cancer satisfactory and well planned, suggestions for change were made relating to unmet needs with respect to five key points in the pathway. Implementing findings from this study in clinical practice requires co-operation between health-care professionals and support from the leaders of the organization.

Cancer patients' organisation participation in heath policy decision-making: a snapshot/cluster analysis of the EU-28 countries.

OBJECTIVES: Even though patient involvement in health policy decision-making is well documented, studies evaluating the degree and impact of this participation are scarce. This is even more conspicuous in the case of cancer. There is evidence showing that patients with the same type of cancer and at the same stage of the disease will receive different treatments in different countries. Therefore, it is crucial to assess the degree of patient participation in health policy decision-making across Europe, as it may result in health inequalities across countries. In a response to this research call, the present study aimed to provide a snapshot of cancer patients' organisation (CPO) participation in health policy processes in European Union (EU)-28 countries. SETTING: CPOs from the EU-28 countries. PARTICIPANTS: Primary and secondary outcome measures: information about participants' sociodemographic characteristics and their involvement in their CPO was collected as well as data about the CPO. A 17-item index containing questions about the type and impact of participation in various facets of health policy decision-making was used to assess the degree of CPOs participation in health policy decision-making processes and its impact.