Social support in cancer: How do patients want us to help?

Korotkin, Brittany D.; Hoerger, Michael; Voorhees, Sara; Allen, Chynna O; Robinson, William R.; Duberstein, Paul R.

doi:10.1080/07347332.2019.1580331

Cited by 36 publications

(35 citation statements)

References 42 publications

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“…Previous research indicate that social support may have positive effects on the psychological wellbeing of patients and that men with lower socioeconomic status might suffer more from a prostate cancer diagnosis. 6,7,27 In our population neither social support in terms of marital status nor socioeconomic status affected whether the men made and sustained a lifestyle change. This might be related to that the vast majority of the men in our study were married and already retired from work.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

“…It emphasizes the importance of pelvic floor training before and after a radical prostatectomy to reduce the risk of urinary incontinence. [24][25][26] Although the possibility of future lifestyle change is not the primary concern when choosing F I G U R E 2 Bar chart illustrating percentage of lifestyle changes among men who rated their quality of life as low (1-2), moderate (3)(4)(5) or high (6)(7) treatment, it is still an important factor to take into consideration and yet another reason for choosing active surveillance when possible.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Men who exercised more (OR 7.9, 95% CI 4. [4][5][6][7][8][9][10][11][12][13][14] and men who reported an increased interest in relationships and social activities (OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.1-13) were more likely to report higher general quality of life.…”

Section: Lifestyle Change and General Quality Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

“…Lifestyle changes after a cancer diagnosis, such as adopting a healthier diet or exercising more, may improve quality of life, as well as reduce the risks of both cancer recurrence and noncancer mortality 1‐5 . Further, adequate social support may have positive effects on the psychological wellbeing of patients 6,7 . Evidence suggest that the emotional impact of a cancer diagnosis can be a teachable moment 5 .…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…[8][9][10] However, population-based information about long-term lifestyle changes after a prostate cancer diagnosis is lacking, and information about potential barriers to lifestyle changes, such as poor functional outcomes after treatment, lack of social support and trouble with personal finances are scarce. [7][8][9]11,12 As there is increasing evidence for that lifestyle changes improve several aspects of life after a cancer diagnosis, both physical and psychological, this nationwide population-based study was conducted to explore self-reported long-term lifestyle changes, and to assess factors potentially associated with lifestyle changes and general quality of life among prostate cancer survivors. We aimed to identify influenceable barriers to lifestyle change and to find a possible association between lifestyle changes and increased quality of life.…”

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in lifestyle among prostate cancer survivors: A nationwide population‐based study

et al. 2020

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Objective: Long-term information on lifestyle changes among prostate survivors is lacking. In this nationwide, population-based study we investigated the prevalence of lifestyle changes, factors associated with lifestyle changes and associations between lifestyle changes and general quality of life. Methods: All men registered in the National Prostate Cancer Register of Sweden diagnosed in 2008 with low-risk prostate cancer at age 70 years or younger were sent a questionnaire. Logistic regression was used to calculate odds ratios (ORs) with 95% confidence intervals for factors potentially associated with lifestyle change. Results: Out of 1288, 1720 men (75%) were responded. A total of 279 (22%) reported a positive lifestyle change regarding diet or exercise. Poor functional outcomes after treatment was associated with exercising less (OR 1.6, 95% CI 1.2-2.1) and less interest in social activities and relationships (OR 1.8, 95% CI 1.5-2.1). Men who exercised more (OR 7.9, 95% CI 4.4-14) and men who had an increased interest in relationships and social activities (OR 5.2, 95% CI 2.1-13) reported higher general quality of life. Conclusions: A considerable proportion of men reported making positive lifestyle changes after the prostate cancer diagnosis. The time after diagnosis may be a teachable moment that facilitates lifestyle interventions. Poor functional outcomes after treatment may reduce the willingness to engage in positive lifestyle change, which need be considered when supporting men after treatment. Men who made a positive lifestyle change, regardless of whether it was exercise or regarding relationships and social activities more often reported a high level of general quality of life.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 64%

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Lifestyle Change and General Quality Of Lifementioning

confidence: 99%

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

mentioning

confidence: 99%

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Changes in lifestyle among prostate cancer survivors: A nationwide population‐based study

et al. 2020

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Trajectories of social resource use among informal lung cancer caregivers

Litzelman

Reblin

McDowell

et al. 2019

Cancer

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BACKGROUND: Social support is a key component in maintaining cancer caregiver well-being, and many resources exist to facilitate caregivers' use of social support (eg, cancer support groups). This study sought to determine how informal cancer caregivers use social resources over the course of caregiving. METHODS: The data are from the Comprehensive Health Enhancement Support System study of informal caregivers (n = 202) of patients with recently diagnosed lung cancer. Caregivers self-reported their sociodemographic and caregiving characteristics and social resource use over 6 months. Generalized additive models were used to assess social resource use over time, and generalized estimating equation logistic regression models were used to assess the correlates of social resource use. RESULTS: Nearly two-thirds of caregivers reported any social resource use. The most prevalent social resources were faith-based groups (38%) and social clubs (30%). Only 1 in 4 caregivers participated in a formal resource such as counseling (11%) or a cancer support group (6%). Social resource use was lowest immediately after the diagnosis and increased over time. Formal resource use exhibited a nonlinear association with time such that formal resource use peaked approximately 9 to 10 months after the cancer diagnosis. Caregivers were more likely to report social resource use if the patient also reported social engagement. CONCLUSIONS: This study has found that many cancer caregivers do not use social resources, although social resource use increases over time after the cancer diagnosis. Because of the association between social engagement and well-being, this information may inform future research and interventions to improve outcomes for cancer caregivers and their families. Cancer 2020;126:425-431.

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Decision regret of cancer patients after radiotherapy: results from a cross-sectional observational study at a large tertiary cancer center in Germany

Rühle,

Wieland,

Hinz

et al. 2024

J Cancer Res Clin Oncol

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Purpose The decision-making process regarding cancer treatment is emotionally challenging for patients and families, harboring the risk of decision regret. We aimed to explore prevalence and determinants of decision regret following radiotherapy. Methods This cross-sectional observational study was conducted at a tertiary cancer center to assess decision regret following radiotherapy. The study employed the German version of the Ottawa Decision Regret Scale (DRS) which was validated in the study population. Decision regret was categorized as absent (0 points), mild (1–25 points), and strong (> 25 points). Various psychosocial outcome measures were collected using validated questionnaires to identify factors that may be associated with decision regret. Results Out of 320 eligible patients, 212 participated, with 207 completing the DRS. Median age at start of radiotherapy was 64 years [interquartile range (IQR), 56–72], genders were balanced (105 female, 102 male), and the most common cancer types were breast (n = 84; 41%), prostate (n = 57; 28%), and head-and-neck cancer (n = 19; 9%). Radiotherapy was applied with curative intention in 188 patients (91%). Median time between last radiotherapy fraction and questionnaire completion was 23 months (IQR, 1–38). DRS comprehensibility was rated as good or very good by 98% (196 of 201) of patients. Decision regret was reported by 43% (n = 90) as absent, 38% (n = 78) as mild, and 18% (n = 38) as strong. In the multiple regression analysis, poor Eastern Cooperative Oncology Group performance status, low social support, and dissatisfaction with care were independent risk factors for higher decision regret after radiotherapy. Conclusions The German version of the DRS could be used to assess decision regret in a diverse cohort of cancer patients undergoing radiotherapy. Decision regret was prevalent in a considerable proportion of patients. Further studies are necessary to validate these findings and obtain causal factors associated with decision regret after radiotherapy.

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Social support in cancer: How do patients want us to help?

Cited by 36 publications

References 42 publications

Changes in lifestyle among prostate cancer survivors: A nationwide population‐based study

Changes in lifestyle among prostate cancer survivors: A nationwide population‐based study

Trajectories of social resource use among informal lung cancer caregivers

Decision regret of cancer patients after radiotherapy: results from a cross-sectional observational study at a large tertiary cancer center in Germany

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