Examining racial variation in antiemetic use and post-chemotherapy health care utilization for nausea and vomiting among breast cancer patients
Racial minority cancer patients may experience underuse of antiemetic medications to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV). In addition to its adverse implications for quality of life, antiemetic underuse may contribute to observed disparities in acute illness during chemotherapy. To…
Parenting concerns, quality of life, and psychological distress in patients with advanced cancer
OBJECTIVE:Parents with life-limiting illness anticipate the loss of their parental role and the long-term consequences of their illness on their children. The purpose of this study was to examine relationships between parenting concerns, quality of life (QOL), and symptoms of…
Early supportive medication use and end-of-life care among Medicare beneficiaries with advanced breast cancer
PURPOSE:A randomized controlled trial of cancer patients has linked early supportive care with improved hospice use and less-aggressive end-of-life care. In practice, the early use of supportive interventions and potential impact on end-of-life care are poorly understood. We sought to…
Investigation of Racial Disparities in Early Supportive Medication Use and End-of-Life Care Among Medicare Beneficiaries With Stage IV Breast Cancer
PURPOSE:Early supportive care may improve quality of life and end-of-life care among patients with cancer. We assessed racial disparities in early use of medications for common cancer symptoms (depression, anxiety, insomnia) and whether these potential disparities modify end-of-life care.METHODS:We used…
Concerns underlying treatment preferences of advanced cancer patients with children
BACKGROUND:Decision-making about advanced cancer treatment is complex and may be influenced by patients' family context, including the presence of children. We explored how parental values and concerns motivate patients' preferences about aggressiveness of advanced cancer treatment as well as preferences…
Investigating racial disparities in use of NK1 receptor antagonists to prevent chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting among women with breast cancer
Chemotherapy-induced nausea and vomiting (CINV) is a major concern for cancer patients and, if uncontrolled, can seriously compromise quality of life (QOL) and other treatment outcomes. Because of the expense of antiemetic medications used to prevent CINV (particularly oral medications…
An exploratory study of end-of-life prognostic communication needs as reported by widowed fathers due to cancer
OBJECTIVE:Effective physician communication about prognosis is a critical aspect of quality care for families affected by terminal illness. This is particularly important for spousal caregivers of terminally ill parents of dependent children, who may have unique needs for communication about…
Is there a role for survivorship care plans in advanced cancer?
PURPOSE:The Institute of Medicine (2006) has recommended that cancer survivors completing treatment receive a survivorship care plan (SCP). The survivorship needs in advanced cancer have been overlooked and understudied. The potential role of SCPs for survivors with advanced or metastatic…
Summing it up: an integrative review of studies of cancer survivorship care plans (2006-2013)
In 2006, the Institute of Medicine recommended that cancer survivors who are completing primary treatment receive a survivorship care plan (SCP) based on face validity. The state of scientific knowledge regarding the SCP is unclear. The authors conducted an integrative…
