In the United States, a total of 1,479,350 new cancer cases and 562,340 deaths from cancer were estimated to occur in 2009. 1 All patients experience some level of distress associated with the diagnosis and treatment of cancer at all stages of the disease. Surveys have found that 20% to 40% of patients with newly diagnosed and recurrent cancer show a significant level of distress. 2 However, fewer than 10% are actually identified and referred for psychosocial help. 3 Many cancer patients who are in need of psychosocial care are not able to get the help they need due to the under recognition of patient's psychological needs by the primary oncology team and lack of knowledge of community resources. The need is particularly acute in community oncology practices that The NCCN

The integration of psychosocial care into the routine care of all patients with cancer is increasingly being recognized as the new standard of care. These NCCN Clinical Practice Guidelines in Oncology for Distress Management discuss the identification and treatment of psychosocial problems in patients with cancer. They are intended to assist oncology teams identify patients who require referral to psychosocial resources and to give oncology teams guidance on interventions for patients with mild distress to ensure that all patients with distress are recognized and treated.

Background: The purpose of evidence-based practice (EBP) in nursing is to improve patient outcomes, providing the best and most up-to-date care practices. In 2011, a nurse-led committee convened to develop an institute-wide initiative to promote EBP with oncology nurses at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute.

Purpose/Objectives: To describe changes in health-related quality of life (HR-QOL) and to identify supportive care services used after treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma (HL) in young adults. Design: A longitudinal repeated measures study design was used to test the feasibility of data collection at the conclusion and 1, 3 and 6 months after the completion of treatment for Hodgkin’s Lymphoma. Setting: Participants were identified from two large comprehensive cancers in New England. Sample: Forty young adults with newly diagnosed Hodgkin’s Lymphoma were enrolled in the study prior to the completion of chemotherapy or radiation. Methods: Data were collected by interviews, standardized questionnaires, and medical record reviews. Main Research Variables: Health-related quality of life variables, defined as symptom distress, physical function, emotional distress, and intimate relationships, use of specific supportive care services, baseline demographic and disease related information. Findings: Results indicate that symptom distress improved by 1 month after treatment and remained low at 3 and 6 months. Similarly, physical function improved by 1 month after treatment. Only 12.5% of the sample had significant emotional distress at baseline and this decreased to 8% over time. Patients placed high value on their interpersonal relationships. A variety of supportive care services were used after treatment. The most common services used after treatment were related to economic issues whereas by six months services shifted towards enhancing nutrition and fitness. Conclusion: The results from this study suggest that HR-QOL in young adults with HL improved within 1-month after-treatment and that interest in using supportive care services was high. Implications for Nursing Facilitating the use of supportive care services at the end of cancer treatment appears to be an important part of helping young adults transition to survivorship.

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