What Cancer Patients Want to Know? Questions from Oncologic Patients in a Brazilian Private Cancer Center.

To establish the more relevant questions oncologic patients may have during cancer treatment. Cross-sectional observational study with all patients undergoing chemotherapy or radiotherapy for cancer in a Brazilian health institution. A questionnaire with open and close questions about cancer diagnosis, treatment, and prognosis was applied. A total of 198 patients were evaluated of whom 122 (62%) were female and 80% of the patients were between 50 and 89 years old. Sixty-one percent of women and 62% of men had questions about cancer diagnosis and treatment. Although questions about nutrition were the most frequent for all patients (72% of men and 48% of women), treatment short- and long-term consequences were a concern for 31% of men and treatment effects on esthetics for 21% of women. After having been informed by the oncology team about their diagnosis and treatment, 49% of the patients also searched for other sources of information. Thirty-eight patients (20%) searched for alternative treatments for cancer. About half of the patients searched for other sources of information after having been informed by the oncology team about their cancer diagnosis and treatment. The present study reinforces the importance for the oncologic health team to spend sufficient time with patients in order to clarify doubts about cancer diagnosis and treatment.

Navegação de enfermagem na atenção ao câncer de mama durante a pandemia: relato de experiência / Navegación de enfermería en la atención del cáncer de mama durante pandemia: informe de experiencia / Nursing navigation in breast cancer care during the pandemic: an experience report

Objetivo: descrever a atuação do navegador de enfermagem na atenção ao paciente com câncer de mama durante a pandemia do novo Coronavírus em um hospital privado de um município do sul do Brasil. Método: relato de experiência sobre medidas adotadas para garantir o início e/ou a continuidade do tratamento de câncer de mama, durante o distanciamento social enquanto recomendação sanitária pela pandemia do novo Coronavírus. Resultados: diversas medidas para auxiliar no enfrentamento da pandemia e propiciar ambiente seguro aos profissionais e pacientes foram adotadas. Conclusão: a atuação do enfermeiro navegador para pacientes com câncer de mama foi fundamental. As visitas hospitalares podem expor os pacientes a um risco maior e as medidas adotadas foram para assegurar o acesso das pacientes ao serviço com segurança, não permitindo que ficassem desassistidas em virtude da medida sanitária de distanciamento social.(au)

Objective: to describe the role of the nursing navigator in breast cancer care during the pandemic of the new Coronavirus in a private hospital in a municipality in southern Brazil. Method: experience report on measures taken to ensure the initiation and/or continuity of breast cancer treatment, during social distancing as a health recommendation for the new coronavirus pandemic. Results: several measures were taken to help fight the pandemic caused by the new Coronavirus and provide a safe environment for professionals and patients. Conclusion: the role of the nurse navigator for patients with breast cancer was essential. Hospital visits can expose patients to a greater risk and the measures adopted were to ensure patients' access to the service safely, not allowing them to be left unattended due to the sanitary measure of social distancing.(AU)

Objetivo: describir el papel de la navegadora de enfermería en la atención del cáncer de mama durante la pandemia del nuevo coronavirus en un hospital privado de un municipio del sur de Brasil. Método: informe de experiencia sobre las medidas tomadas para asegurar el inicio y/o continuidad del tratamiento del cáncer de mama, durante el distanciamiento social como recomendación de salud para la nueva pandemia de coronavirus. Resultados: se tomaron varias medidas para ayudar a combatir la pandemia y brindar un ambiente seguro para los profesionales y pacientes. Conclusión: el papel de la enfermera navegadora para los pacientes con cáncer de mama fue fundamental y las medidas adoptadas fueron para asegurar el acceso de los pacientes al servicio de forma segura, no permitiéndoles quedar desatendidos por la por la medida sanitaria, de distanciamiento social.(AU)

Nurse Navigation Program: Outcomes From a Breast Cancer Center in Brazil.

BACKGROUND: Nurse navigators play a major role in the care provided to patients with cancer within the healthcare system. OBJECTIVES: This study aims describe the outcomes of a pioneering nurse navigation program established in a breast cancer center in a private, nonprofit hospital in Porto Alegre, Brazil. METHODS: This is a cross-sectional, retrospective, descriptive study based on electronic health records. Descriptive statistics were used for data analysis. FINDINGS: Data from 263 patients participating in the navigation program and hospital quality indicators showed a reduction in the time elapsed from diagnosis to the start of treatment from 24 days in 2014 to 18 days in 2017. Of 153 patients who responded to a patient satisfaction survey, 97% were satisfied or very satisfied with the care provided by the nurse navigator.