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Full-Text Articles in Education

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (Act) For Improving The Lives Of Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Study, Danielle Feros, Lisbeth Lane, Joseph Ciarrochi, John Blackledge Jul 2015

Acceptance And Commitment Therapy (Act) For Improving The Lives Of Cancer Patients: A Preliminary Study, Danielle Feros, Lisbeth Lane, Joseph Ciarrochi, John Blackledge

joseph Ciarrochi

Background This preliminary study examined the effectiveness of an Acceptance and Commitment Therapy (ACT) intervention at improving the quality of life among cancer patients. It was hypothesised that over the course of the intervention, patients would report increased psychological flexibility through acceptance of unpleasant thoughts and feelings, and that increased psychological flexibility would lead to improvements in distress, mood, and quality of life. Method Forty-five cancer patients participated in an ACT intervention. Outcome measures included self-reported distress, mood disturbance, psychological flexibility, and quality of life. Data were collected at pre, mid, and post-intervention and at 3-month follow-up. Results The data …


Psychosocial Aspects Of Anal Cancer Screening: A Review And Recommendations, Jodie Landstra, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank P. Deane Jul 2015

Psychosocial Aspects Of Anal Cancer Screening: A Review And Recommendations, Jodie Landstra, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank P. Deane

joseph Ciarrochi

Cancer screening programs have the potential to decrease psychosocial wellbeing. This review investigates the evidence that anal cancer screening has an impact on psychosocial functioning and outlines considerations for supporting participants. The review suggested that screening has no significant effect on general mental health but may increase cancer-specific worry. Having worse anal or HIV symptoms, being younger, higher baseline distress or worse histology results were predictive of greater worry. The findings suggest the need to increase education campaigns, particularly targeting those with HIV infection and men who have sex with men. There is a need to develop a consensus on …


The Psychological Impact Of Anal Cancer Screening On Hiv-Infected Men, Jodie Landstra, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank Deane, Leon Botes, Richard Hillman Jul 2015

The Psychological Impact Of Anal Cancer Screening On Hiv-Infected Men, Jodie Landstra, Joseph Ciarrochi, Frank Deane, Leon Botes, Richard Hillman

joseph Ciarrochi

Background Anal cancer rates are increasing in HIV-infected men. Screening programmes similar to prostate and cervical cancer have been recommended to reduce morbidity and mortality. Research shows that screening processes have psychological consequences that need to be considered. Limited investigation of the psychological impact of anal cancer screening has been conducted. Methods A prospective longitudinal survey of 291 men was conducted at three time points over 14 weeks at a public HIV clinic in Sydney, Australia. Self-report questionnaires measuring worry, distress, depression, anxiety, stress and health-related quality of life (SF-12) were collected. Results Those who had a biopsy recommended were …


Psychological Consequences Of Cancer Screening In Hiv, Jodie Landstra, Frank Deane, Joseph Ciarrochi Jul 2015

Psychological Consequences Of Cancer Screening In Hiv, Jodie Landstra, Frank Deane, Joseph Ciarrochi

joseph Ciarrochi

Purpose of review: There is a growing awareness of the increase in non-AIDS-defining cancers (NADC) in the HIV-infected population. Cancer screening is one means of reducing morbidity and mortality, but such screening may have psychological consequences across those with high and low-risk results, such as increased anxiety, worry and potential behavior change like increased self-examination or medical follow-up. This review examines the literature on psychological consequences of screening for NADC in HIV-infected populations. Recent findings: Anal cancer is the only cancer type in which the psychological consequence of screening has been investigated in HIV-infected populations. Screening increases worry about anal …


Effectiveness Of 'Signs And Symptoms' Campaigns For Lun G Cancer: A Rapid Review, Ross Gordon, Christopher Magee, Sandra Jones, Lyn Phillipson, Lance Barrie Mar 2014

Effectiveness Of 'Signs And Symptoms' Campaigns For Lun G Cancer: A Rapid Review, Ross Gordon, Christopher Magee, Sandra Jones, Lyn Phillipson, Lance Barrie

Sandra Jones

Early diagnosis of lung cancer may be important in improving the survival rate and patients' quality of life. This Evidence Check review assessed the effectiveness of 'signs and symptoms' campaigns in influencing knowledge, attitudes, beliefs and help-seeking behaviour in the general community and at-risk groups. Interventions may be effective, but the evidence is limited overall, and very limited for at risk groups. Social marketing frameworks may provide a structure for future interventions.


Improving Cancer Outcomes Among Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Communities: A Rapid Review Of The Literature, Lyn Phillipson, Karen Larsen-Truong, Sandra Jones, Leissa Pitts Mar 2014

Improving Cancer Outcomes Among Culturally And Linguistically Diverse Communities: A Rapid Review Of The Literature, Lyn Phillipson, Karen Larsen-Truong, Sandra Jones, Leissa Pitts

Sandra Jones

This Evidence Check review examined the knowledge, attitudes and beliefs of Chinese, Vietnamese and Arabic speaking communities in Australia in relation to cancer, its causes, screening, treatments, perceptions of susceptibility, and perceived outcomes. The review explores fear, stigma, taboos, and the role of family, as well as the evidence of effectiveness of cancer prevention, detection and treatment interventions. There are significant gaps in the evidence base.


Screening For Prostate Cancer: A Consideration Of Screening Factors In Comparison To Screening For Breast Cancer, S Jones Mar 2014

Screening For Prostate Cancer: A Consideration Of Screening Factors In Comparison To Screening For Breast Cancer, S Jones

Sandra Jones

Cancer is a leading cause of death in developed countries; 27 per cent of all Australian deaths are due to cancer, with 35,000 people dying annually. Prostate cancer is the most common type of cancer amongst men in most Western countries. Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women aged over 30 years, and causes the highest proportion of cancer deaths in women. At present in Australia there is a debate about the public health value of screening for prostate cancer. This paper examines the issues that must be weighed up in reaching a conclusion to this debate, by …


'I Don't Really Know, So It's A Guess': Women's Reasons For Breast Cancer Risk Estimation., Nancy Humpel, Sandra C. Jones Mar 2014

'I Don't Really Know, So It's A Guess': Women's Reasons For Breast Cancer Risk Estimation., Nancy Humpel, Sandra C. Jones

Sandra Jones

Women of all ages have been found to overestimate both the incidence and the mortality rate from breast cancer and the reasons for this are unclear. A qualitative study asked eighty three women (mean age = 44 years) how likely they thought they were to get breast cancer and to explain the reasoning behind their choice. Based on their responses, women's perceptions were categorised as: no risk (5%); reasonably accurate (30%); overestimated (22%); and greatly overestimated (43%). Four main themes emerged from the reasons given: 'Don't know/guess', 'family history' of breast cancer, 'age' related reasoning, and making their decision from …


The Impact Of A Cancer Diagnosis On The Health Behaviors Of Cancer Survivors And Their Family And Friends, Nancy Humpel, Christopher Magee, Sandra C. Jones Mar 2014

The Impact Of A Cancer Diagnosis On The Health Behaviors Of Cancer Survivors And Their Family And Friends, Nancy Humpel, Christopher Magee, Sandra C. Jones

Sandra Jones

Goals The aim of this study was to examine the effect of a cancer diagnosis on the health behaviors of cancer survivors and their family and friends, and to determine whether a cancer diagnosis could be a teachable moment for intervention. Materials and methods This was a cross-sectional study of the health behaviors of individuals taking part in a cancer fundraising event. The questionnaire was completed by 657 participants. Main results Participants were 81.4% women, had a mean age of 46 years, and comprised of 17.2% cancer survivors. For cancer survivors, 31.3% reported an increase in physical activity, 50% of …


The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network: Background Progress Report, Lori Lockyer, R Futcher, F Ashbury, Don Iverson Jul 2013

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network: Background Progress Report, Lori Lockyer, R Futcher, F Ashbury, Don Iverson

Professor Lori Lockyer

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network (SCRN) was established in 1994 by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) with funding from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). The network was created to facilitate the development of behavioural science studies that would contribute to a fuller understanding of the cancer experience, from prevention through detection, treatment and post treatment (including palliative care). This article describes the nature of network research, the development and organization of the Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network and the challenges it faces.


Women's Awareness Of Cancer Symptoms: A Review Of The Literature, Sandra C. Jones, Keryn Johnson Jun 2013

Women's Awareness Of Cancer Symptoms: A Review Of The Literature, Sandra C. Jones, Keryn Johnson

Sandra Jones

Improvements in cancer detection and treatment have led to consistent declines in mortality from many cancers. However, many patients present for treatment at a point where more invasive treatment is required and/or treatment outcomes are less than optimal. One factor that has been consistently shown to be associated with late diagnosis and treatment is delay in seeking help for symptoms. This paper reviews the literature on women's awareness of cancer symptoms and aims to identify knowledge gaps that need to be addressed in order to improve help-seeking behaviors. The discovery of substantial gaps in awareness suggest a need for improved …


The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network: Background Progress Report, Lori Lockyer, R Futcher, F Ashbury, Don Iverson Jun 2012

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network: Background Progress Report, Lori Lockyer, R Futcher, F Ashbury, Don Iverson

Don C. Iverson

The Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network (SCRN) was established in 1994 by the National Cancer Institute of Canada (NCIC) with funding from the Canadian Cancer Society (CCS). The network was created to facilitate the development of behavioural science studies that would contribute to a fuller understanding of the cancer experience, from prevention through detection, treatment and post treatment (including palliative care). This article describes the nature of network research, the development and organization of the Sociobehavioural Cancer Research Network and the challenges it faces.