Social and Behavioral Sciences Commons^™

Mothered, Mothering & Motherizing In Illness Narratives: What Women Cancer Survivors In Southern Central Appalachia Reveal About Mothering-Disruption, Kelly A. Dorgan, Kathryn L. Duvall, Sadie P. Hutson, Amber E. Kinser

Kelly A. Dorgan

Informed by a mothering-disruption framework, our study examines the illness narratives of women cancer survivors living in Southern Central Appalachia. We collected the stories of twenty-nine women cancer survivors from northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia using a multi-phasic qualitative design. Phase I consisted of women cancer survivors participating in a day-long story circle (n=26). Phase II consisted of women cancer survivors who were unable to attend the story circle ; this sample sub-set participated in in-depth interviews (n=3) designed to capture their illness narratives. Participants' illness narratives revealed the presence of: (1) mothering-disruption whereby cancer adversely impacted the mothering role …

Omnibus Survivorship Narratives: Multiple Morbidities Among Female Cancer Survivors In South Central Appalachia, Kelly A. Dorgan, Kathryn L. Duvall, Sadie P. Hutson

Kelly A. Dorgan

This study examines the illness narratives of female cancer survivors living in Southern Central Appalachia. Stories of 29 female Appalachian cancer survivors from northeastern Tennessee and southwcstmn Virginia were collected via a mixed methods approach in either a day-long story circle (n=26) or an in-depth interview (n=3), Qualitative content analysis was used to guide an inductive analysis of the tTanscript<;, What emerged was that as participants survived cancer, they also survived other health conditions, their intorsccting stories yielding an omnibus survivorship narrative.

Navigating Family Cancer Communication: Communication Strategies Of Female Cancer Survivors In Central Appalachia, Kathryn L. Duvall, Kelly A. Dorgan, Sadie P. Hutson

Kelly A. Dorgan

In a multiphasic study, the stories of 29 female Appalachian cancer survivors were collected through either a day-long modified story circle event (n=26) or an in-depth interview (n=3). Qualitative content analysis was used to identify emergent themes in the data. The analysis revealed 5 types of family cancer communication including both pre-diagnosis and postdiagnosis cancer communication strategies

Mothered, Mothering & Motherizing In Illness Narratives: What Women Cancer Survivors In Southern Central Appalachia Reveal About Mothering-Disruption, Kelly A. Dorgan, Kathryn L. Duvall, Sadie P. Hutson, Amber E. Kinser

Amber E. Kinser

Informed by a mothering-disruption framework, our study examines the illness narratives of women cancer survivors living in Southern Central Appalachia. We collected the stories of twenty-nine women cancer survivors from northeast Tennessee and southwest Virginia using a multi-phasic qualitative design. Phase I consisted of women cancer survivors participating in a day-long story circle (n=26). Phase II consisted of women cancer survivors who were unable to attend the story circle ; this sample sub-set participated in in-depth interviews (n=3) designed to capture their illness narratives. Participants' illness narratives revealed the presence of: (1) mothering-disruption whereby cancer adversely impacted the mothering role …

An Examination Of Chimpanzee Use In Human Cancer Research, Jarrod Bailey

Jarrod Bailey, PhD

Advocates of chimpanzee research claim the genetic similarity of humans and chimpanzees make them an indispensable research tool to combat human diseases. Given that cancer is a leading cause of human death worldwide, one might expect that if chimpanzees were needed for, or were productive in, cancer research, then they would have been widely used. This comprehensive literature analysis reveals that chimpanzees have scarcely been used in any form of cancer research, and that chimpanzee tumours are extremely rare and biologically different from human cancers. Often, chimpanzee citations described peripheral use of chimpanzee cells and genetic material in predominantly human …

Hospice And Pain Management In Nursing Home Residents With Cancer, Jacob N. Hunnicutt, Jennifer Tjia, Kate L. Lapane

Jennifer Tjia

Background: The prevalence of untreated pain in nursing home residents with cancer is unacceptably high. Hospice may increase the likelihood of receiving pain management at the end of life.

Objectives: To estimate whether receipt of hospice in nursing homes increases the receipt of pain management for nursing home residents with cancer at the end of life.

Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on a national sample of Medicare decedents who had cancer and were nursing home residents during the last 90 days of life in 2011–2012. We used the last Minimum Data Set (MDS) 3.0 assessment before death and the …

Effective Transitional Therapy For Adolescent And Young Adult Patients With Cancer: An Integrative Literature Review, Katherine Jones Masterton, Joseph D. Tariman Phd

Joseph D Tariman PhD, RN, ANP-BC, FAAN

Measuring Depression In Prostate Cancer Patients: Does The Scale Used Make A Difference?, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie, Myra Hunter

Vicki Bitsika

This study investigated differences in the scores, relative severity and major depressive disorder (MDD) and subsyndromal depression status from three standardised self-report scales for depression in prostate cancer (PCa) patients. The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale Depression subscale (HADS-D), the Self-rating Depression Scale (SDS) and the Patient Health Questionnaire (PHQ-9) for depression were administered to a sample of 138 PCa patients via mail-out self-reports in Queensland, Australia during May 2014. Despite significant correlations between the total scores from the three scales, severity classification differed across the three scales and there was evidence of considerable underestimation of depression by the HADS-D …

Predictors Of Depression In Prostate Cancer Patients: A Comparison Of Psychological Resilience Versus Pre-Existing Anxiety And Depression, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, Addie Wootten, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Background: Previous anxiety and depression can influence current anxiety and depression, and psychological resilience may be a buffer against current anxiety and depression. However, despite the relevance of these two sets of predictors of anxiety and depression, and their potential in treatment planning, no reports have been published on their role in post-diagnosis anxiety and depression among prostate cancer (PCa) patients. Therefore, this study aimed to determine the roles of these predictors in a sample of men with prostate cancer. Method: Retrospective self-reports of anxiety and depression for how they were before receiving their diagnosis of PCa and at the …

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

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 Link Between Value Motives, Value Success, And Well-Being Among People Diagnosed With Cancer, Lisbeth Lane, Joseph Ciarrochi, Danielle Fisher

joseph Ciarrochi

Objective: This study investigated the relationship between cancer patient¿s values and cancerrelated distress.Method: A total of 107 patients with cancer diagnoses completed an anonymousquestionnaire.Results: Less self-regulating motivation for health values was significantly related to poorerwell-being. Greater success at living one¿s values was significantly related to improved wellbeingand distress-related outcomes. Sex difference analysis suggested that success atfriendship values was linked to less cancer-related distress among women, but not men, whereassuccess at romantic relationship values was linked to less distress among men, but not women.Conclusion: The results have important implications for values focused interventions,highlighting the importance of facilitating success at valued living …

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

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 …

Does Resilience 'Buffer' Against Depression In Prostate Cancer Patients? A Multi-Site Replication Study, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, Addie Wootten, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Although psychological resilience has been shown to 'buffer' against depression following major stressors, no studies have reported on this relationship within the prostate cancer (PCa) population, many of whom are at elevated risk of depression, health problems and suicide. To investigate the effects of resilience upon anxiety and depression in the PCa population, postal surveys of 425 PCa patients were collected from two sites: 189 PCa patients at site 1 and 236 at site 2. Background data plus responses to depression and resilience scales were collected. Results indicated that total resilience score was a significant buffer against depression across both …

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

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

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

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

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 …

Targeting Urokinase And The Transferrin Receptor With Novel, Anti-Mitotic N-Alkylisatin Cytotoxin Conjugates Causes Selective Cancer Cell Death And Reduces Tumor Growth, K Vine, V. Indira Chandran, J Locke, L Matesic, J Lee, D Skropeta, J Bremner, M Ranson

Danielle Skropeta

Tumor-specific delivery of ligand-directed prodrugs can increase the therapeutic window of chemotherapeutics by maintaining efficacy whilst decreasing toxic side effects. We have previously described a series of synthetic N-alkylated isatin cytotoxins that destabilize microtubules and induce apoptosis with 10-fold greater potency than conventional anti-mitotics in vitro. Here, we report the characterization, in vitro cytotoxicity and in vivo efficacy of a lead compound, 5,7-dibromo-N-(p-hydroxymethylbenzyl)isatin (N-AI) conjugated via an esterase-labile linker (N-AIE) to two proven targeting ligands, transferrin (Tf) and plasminogen activator inhibitor type 2 (PAI-2/serpinB2). N-AI was released from N-AIE and the targeting ligands Tf/PAI-2 in an esterase-dependent manner at 37 …

Anti-Cancer Activity Of An Acid-Labile N-Alkylisatin Conjugate Targeting The Transferrin Receptor, Vineesh Indira Chandran, Lidia Matesic, Julie Locke, Danielle Skropeta, Marie Ranson, Kara Vine

Danielle Skropeta

We have previously reported a series of pH-sensitive imine-linked N-alkylisatin prodrugs that are stable at pH 7.4, but readily cleaved at pH 4.5. Herein, one of the most potent prodrugs, 5,7-dibromo-N-(pmethoxybenzyl) isatin (NAI), was functionalized with a para-phenylpropionic acid linker, and the resulting NAI–imine prodrug conjugated to transferrin (Tf) to form a NAI–imine–Tf conjugate. Cytotoxicity assays revealed the conjugate was equipotent to the free drug against MCF-7 breast cancer cells, with clear selectivity patterns based on TfR levels. These results suggest that this novel isatin-based cytotoxin conjugated to a tumor targeting protein via an acid-labile linker warrants further preclinical testing.

Do Patient-Reported Androgen-Deprivation Therapy Side Effects Predict Anxiety And Depression Among Prostate Cancer Patients Undergoing Radiotherapy? Implications For Psychosocial Therapy Interventions, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Antiandrogen therapy (AAT) is a common adjunct treatment for prostate cancer (PCa) patients and has shown significant benefits to long-term outcomes from radiation or surgery. Although AAT has some adverse side effects and data from breast cancer patients indicate that such side effects from hormonal therapies may contribute to anxiety and depression and may also hinder AAT treatment compliance, this issue has not been investigated within a sample of PCa patients. This study explores the incidence of AAT side effects in a sample of PCa patients, the links between those side effects and anxiety and depression, the possible ways in …

How Prostate Cancer Patients Cope: Evaluation And Refinement Of The Prostate Cancer Patients' Coping Strategies Questionnaire, Christopher Sharpley, Vicki Bitsika, David Christie

Vicki Bitsika

Background: Prostate cancer (PCa) patients suffer from identifiable stressors that may cause them anxiety and/or depression. In a previous study, an initial exploration of the ways in which PCa patients seek to cope with those stressors was described. However, several methodological limitations prevented direct comparisons of the relative effectiveness of patients’ coping strategies. To further investigate this issue, a standardised format was used to present the most commonly-used coping strategies to a new sample of PCa patients and to compare the effectiveness of those strategies. Methods: A total of 147 PCa patients completed a background questionnaire and the Prostate Cancer …

Self-Reported Side Effects Of Breast Cancer Treatment: A Cross-Sectional Study Of Incidence, Associations, And The Influence Of Exercise, Sheridan A. Gho, Julie R. Steele, Sandra C. Jones, Bridget J. Munro

Sandra Jones

Purpose Side effects as a result of breast cancer treatment may have a lasting detrimental impact on quality of life. Exercise has been shown to be an effective intervention in post-treatment care. This study aimed to gain a better understanding of breast cancer treatment-related side effects through identifying potential patient characteristic associations, including current levels of exercise. Methods Four hundred and thirty-two breast cancer patients completed an online survey covering their treatment and demographic background, current exercise levels, and self-reported treatment side effects. Side effects were considered in a binary logistic regression against age, surgery, currently undergoing treatment, and exercise …

Counterfactual Thinking In Response To Hypothetical Breast Cancer Scenarios: A Pilot Study, Amy Y. Chan, Sandra C. Jones, Karen T. Rich

Sandra Jones

This paper examined womens counterfactualthoughts in response to hypothetical scenarios aboutearly versus late breast cancer diagnoses.Womenaged 50 and over (N=29) read hypotheticalscenarios about the experience of fictitious womenof mammography screening age and completedcounterfactual statements from the protagonistsperspective.In two scenarios, the protagonist failedto attend mammography screening regularly andwas diagnosed with advanced breast cancer; thethird scenario depicted a woman who hadmammograms biennially and received an early-stagebreast cancer diagnosis.Consistent with pastliterature on counterfactual thinking, participantsgenerated exclusively upward counterfactuals fromthe two late-diagnosis scenarios, and predominantlydownward counterfactuals from the early-diagnosisscenario.Furthermore, participants primarilyfocussed on what the protagonist could personallyhave done differently to lead to a differentoutcome.Hence …

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 …

Regret In Cancer-Related Decisions, Terry Connolly, Jochen Reb

Jochen Reb

Decision-related regret is a negative emotion associated with thinking about a past or future choice. The thinking component generally takes the form of a wish that things were otherwise and involves a comparison of what actually did or will take place with some better alternative--a counterfactual thought. For predecisional (anticipated) regret, the thinking involves a mental simulation of the outcomes that might result from different choice options. Prior research has focused on regret associated with decision outcomes, addressing especially (a) the comparison outcome selected and (b) whether the outcome resulted from action or inaction. More recent research examines regret associated …

Clusterin Interacts With Paclitaxel And Confer Paclitaxel Resistance In Ovarian Cancer, Dong Choon Park, Seung Geun Yeo, Mark R. Wilson, Justin J. Yerbury, Joseph Kwong, William R. Welch, Yang Kyu Choi, Michael J. Birrer, Samuel C. Mok, Kwong-Kwok Wong

Mark R Wilson

Optimal debulking followed by chemotherapy is the standard treatment of managing late-stage ovarian cancer, but chemoresistance is still a major problem. In this study, we compared expression profiles of primary tumor tissue from five long-term (>8 years) and five short-term (years) ovarian cancer survivors and identified clusterin as one of the genes that were significantly up-regulated in short-term survivors. We then evaluated the prognostic significance of clusterin and its possible correlation with chemoresistance in ovarian cancer by immunohistostaining of clusterin in 62 tumor samples from patients with stage III, high-grade serous ovarian cancer. After adjusting for debulking status and …

Polysaccharopeptide Enhances The Anticancer Activity Of Doxorubicin And Etoposide On Human Breast Cancer Cells Zr-75-30, Jennifer Man-Fan Wan, Wai Hung Sit, Jimmy Chun Yu Louie

Jimmy Chun Yu Louie

In search of natural bioactive microbial compounds with adjuvant properties, we have previously showed that the polysaccharopeptide (PSP), isolated from Chinese medicinal mushroom Coriolus versicolor, was able to enhance the cytotoxicity of certain S-phase targeted-drugs on human leukemic HL-60 cells via some cell-cycle and apoptotic-dependent pathways. The present study aimed to investigate whether the synergism of mechanisms of PSP with certain chemotherapeutic drugs also applies to human breast cancer. PSP treatment enhanced the cytotoxicity of doxorubicin (Doxo), etoposide (VP-16) but not cytarabine (Ara-C). Bivariate bromodeoxyuridine (BrdUrd)/DNA flow cytometry analysis estimated a longer DNA synthesis time (Ts) for the PSP treated …