ABSTRACT
Despite the highly preventable nature of skin cancer, it remains the most commonly diagnosed form of cancer in the United States. Recommendations for a complete skin cancer prevention regimen include engaging in photoprotection (e.g., sunscreen use), avoiding skin cancer risk behaviors (e.g., tanning), and receiving total body skin exams from a health care provider. The current study examined reported engagement in these behaviors among participants attending a community skin cancer screening (N = 319) in a high-risk catchment area to assess the need for increased health education on skin cancer prevention. Participants' responses indicate a history of suboptimal avoidance of skin cancer risk behaviors. Over half of participants (52%) reported four or more blistering sunburns before age 20, and 46% reported indoor tanning at least one during their lifetime. There is a need among this population for education regarding a complete skin cancer prevention regimen, which could improve adherence to photoprotection and avoidance of skin cancer risk behaviors, thereby reducing morbidity and mortality due to skin cancer.
Subject(s)
Community Health Services/methods , Early Detection of Cancer , Health Education/methods , Skin Neoplasms/diagnosis , Skin Neoplasms/prevention & control , Adolescent , Adult , Aged , Aged, 80 and over , Cross-Sectional Studies , Female , Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice , Humans , Male , Mass Screening , Middle Aged , Young AdultABSTRACT
Adherence to oral medications during maintenance therapy is essential for pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Self-reported or electronic monitoring of adherence indicate suboptimal adherence, particularly among particular sociodemographic groups. This study used medication refill records to examine adherence among a national sample of pediatric patients with acute lymphoblastic leukemia. Patients in a national claims database, aged 0 to 21 years with a diagnosis of acute lymphoblastic leukemia and in the maintenance phase of treatment, were included. Medication possession ratios were used as measures of adherence. Overall adherence and adherence by sociodemographic groups were examined. Adherence rates were 85% for 6-mercaptopurine and 81% for methotrexate. Adherence was poorer among patients 12 years and older. Oral medication adherence rates were suboptimal and similar to or lower than previously documented rates using other methods of assessing adherence. Refill records offer a promising avenue for monitoring adherence. Additional work to identify groups most at-risk for poor adherence is needed. Nurses are well positioned to routinely monitor for medication adherence and to collaborate with the multidisciplinary team to address barriers to adherence.
Subject(s)
Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/administration & dosage , Medication Adherence , Mercaptopurine/administration & dosage , Methotrexate/administration & dosage , Outcome Assessment, Health Care , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/drug therapy , Adolescent , Child , Child, Preschool , Drug Administration Schedule , Drug Therapy, Combination , Female , Humans , Infant , Infant, Newborn , Insurance Claim Review/statistics & numerical data , Maintenance Chemotherapy , Male , Oncology Nursing , Pediatric Nursing , Precursor Cell Lymphoblastic Leukemia-Lymphoma/nursing , Registries , United States , Young AdultABSTRACT
Social media as an effective source of information and support among parents and other caregivers of children with cancer has not been explored. The purpose of this cross-sectional study was to describe caregivers' reasons for using social media, social media sites used, and predictors of social media usage. This study sample included 215 caregivers (96% parents) of children with cancer receiving cancer-related care at a tertiary children's hospital in the Intermountain West. Most of caregivers (74%) reported using social media in relation to their child's cancer and reported using social media to provide and receive support and information about their child's diagnosis or treatment. Our findings suggest that social media could be a delivery platform for future interventions seeking to meet the informational and emotional needs of caregivers of children with cancer. An awareness of how parents and caregivers of children receiving cancer-related treatment use social media can help nurses understand their ongoing informational and emotional needs. Nurses can also support parents and caregivers in selecting reputable sources of support that are accessible via social media.