abstract: End-of-life preferences in advanced cancer patients willing to discuss issues surrounding their terminal condition

End-of-life preferences in advanced cancer patients willing to discuss issues surrounding their terminal condition

Abstract: 

The aim of the present study is to describe end-of-life preferences of advanced cancer patients willing to talk about death issues. Eighty-eight advanced cancer patients were interviewed through End of Life Preferences Interview (ELPI), a 23-item interview covering a wide range of end-of-life care issues.

abstract: Curr Oncol. 2012 Apr;19(2):70-7. Accelerating knowledge to action: the pan-Canadian cancer control strategy (including blogger's note)

Blogger's Note/Opinion: this is the medline abstract secondary to the recent posting via Oncology Reports; some points to consider: details of the history past need clarification so as not to presume certain statements; in fact a further ~$250 million was funded by the Canadian government at the 5 year renewal date; note also that the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer existed previously (name change), albeit without the current wider structure

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Accelerating knowledge to action: the pan-Canadia... [Curr Oncol. 2012] - PubMed - NCBI
 

Abstract

"In 2006, the federal government committed funding of $250 million over 5 years for the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer Corporation to begin implementation of the Canadian Strategy for Cancer Control (cscc)...."

"Evaluation findings support the conclusions that Canada has made progress in achieving immediate outcomes (achievable in <5 years) associated with advancing its cancer control goals and that there is evidence that, with sustained effort, those goals will translate into a long-term (>25 years) impact on cancer."

"With the ongoing funding commitment to support coordinated action within a federated environment of health care delivery, there is opportunity to reduce the impact that cancer may have in the long term in Canada...."

Improving cancer control in Canada through knowledge translation: from in-the-field projects to policy initiatives in a new standing section in Current Oncology

Improving cancer control in Canada through knowledge translation: from in-the-field projects to policy initiatives in a new standing section in Current Oncology

Does “Cancer” – The Word – Properly Explain “Cancer” – the Disease?

Does “Cancer” – The Word – Properly Explain “Cancer” – the Disease?:
by Jonathan Klein, MD
Often times, after explaining a diagnosis and treatment plan to a patient, physicians hear some variation on “my brother/sister/parent/friend/co-worker had cancer and received radiation/surgery/phase I clinical trial medication. Why am I not receiving this?” The answer may revolve around the idea that different cancers, even different cancers arising from the same part of the body, can be wildly different in biology, treatment, and prognosis. We obviously want to ensure that patients understand their options so that they can make informed decisions about their own care, but couldn’t the medical community do a better job of conveying this concept to the public even before people end up in our clinics?

We use the catch-all term “cancer” to refer to diseases within the body arising from uncontrollably dividing cells. It is a term familiar to everyone, and a diagnosis of cancer is a useful shorthand – it’s concise, easy to understand, and conveys a sense of seriousness around what lies ahead. But beyond that initial purpose, it’s largely insufficient.

"Call It Cancer" - Editorial - the Oncologist

Blogger's Note: comments/interpretation:

excerpt from article: "...A more controversial aspect of the NIH panel’s report wasthe statement that it may be a mistake to call low-grade low-volume prostate cancer a “cancer” in these patients...."

• the Oncologist is a subscriber-based publication; 

• the 'gist' of the article is a focus on prostate cancer, but the theme is transferable to all cancers - a discussion on what to call (prostate) cancers eg. those at low/high risk of recurrence, the same could be applied to ovarian cancer eg. LMP; the authors conclusions are just to call it cancer so as not to distract patients from understanding that risks including those still outstandsing and unknown issues (and of course those with rare subtypes of differing cancers, as an example)
• a good discussion for those who are getting 'off track' - psychosocial aspects and what is meaningful to patients/providers who deal with cancer in real life

full free access: Informa Healthcare -Review Clinical burden of venous thromboembolism

Conclusions:

Even among high-risk groups it is not possible to identify individuals who will go on to develop VTE, and, therefore, thromboprophylaxis is a recommended component of the management of high-risk patients. Ensuring patients receive safe, effective, easily administered antithrombotic therapy both in hospital and post-discharge, for a sufficient length of time, should be central to any strategy to reduce incident or recurrent VTE and minimise the risk of long-term complications.

Blog: Our Cancer — "It’s NOT Easy to Go There.." Laurie Singer Sievers

"....What about all of us who are carrying around the baggage of the disease? It's real and if you ask me, it's an epidemic."

(full free access) Cell - Hallmarks of Cancer: The Next Generation - references to ovarian cancer

The Care Strategy for Families of Terminally Ill Cancer Patients Who Become Unable to Take Nourishment Orally: Recommendations from a Nationwide Survey of Bereaved Family Members' Experiences

Press Release: Canada's Leading Ovarian Cancer "Patient" Advocate Speaks at Sask Conference

 

OCATS

Ovarian Cancer Awareness & Treatment in Saskatchewan

A SUPPORT & ACTION GROUP FOR ANYONE AFFECTED BY GYNECOLOGIC CANCERS

M E D I A   R E L E A S E

CANADA’S LEADING OVARIAN CANCER “PATIENT” ADVOCATE SPEAKS AT SASK CONFERENCE

For Immediate Release

REGINA, July 26, 2010  - Conference Co-Chairs Scott Livingstone, CEO Sask Cancer Agency and Darlene Gray, President, OCATS, in partnership with CNT Management Group, invite survivors, support people and the medical community to the first ever Gynecologic Cancer Conference, Strategies for Survival on September 24, 2010 at the Regina Inn.  Early Bird registration fees available until the end of July for this important event featuring some of the province’s most knowledgeable specialists in female reproductive cancers.  Experts will address clinical study trials for new drug therapies, managing cancer recurrence, the emotional aspects of cancer diagnoses, identifying families with hereditary risks, alternative and complimentary therapies available and the roles of our nurses, general practitioners, and pharmacists in cancer care delivery.

A conference highlight will be a presentation by Canada’s leading ovarian cancer “patient” advocate, Sandi Pniauskas.  Other experts presenting at the conference include the following.

Dr. Christopher Giede, Gynecologic Oncologist at the Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon and the team leader of Saskatchewan gynecologic oncology team of female reproductive cancer specialists.

Dr. Muhammad Salim, Medical Oncologist at the Allan Blair Cancer Centre, Regina and the specialist of all our Clinical Study Trials. 

Dr. Vicki Holmes, Medical Director of the Women’s Mid-Life Health Centre in Saskatoon. Dr. Holmes developed the concept of this centre and is the resident physician at the centre.

Rosalee Longmoore, RN, a Registered Nurse for 34 years with a wide range of experience on all Saskatchewan medical nursing issues.

Andrew Gilbertson, Pharmacist and owner of Hill Avenue Drugs, Regina, Regina’s first and currently only pharmacy that specializes in compounding custom prescription medications.

Dr. Heather Fox, Naturopath, a health specialist with over 30 years experienced and a registered doctor of Natural Medicine through the Examining Board of Natural Medicine Practitioners, Canada.

Monica Milas, Personal Growth and Healing Services Counsellor and Therapist.

Wendy Stoeber, Genetic Counsellor at the Division of Medical Genetics, Royal University Hospital, Saskatoon.

And a member of the Gynecologic Oncology Program Working Group, Scott Livingstone, the new CEO of the Sask Cancer Agency, will speak about Saskatchewan’s new Gynecologic Oncology Program.

The conference will include an exhibit hall marketplace and be followed by the OCATS Annual Benefit Gala and Silent Auction featuring Jack Semple and presentation of the OCATS 2010 Catleya Award of Collaboration & Vision.  Conference on-line registration at  http://guest.cvent.com/EVENTS/Info/Summary.aspx?e=ce9c4a0f-157e-4a42-ab49-0f19dae902e3. A group guestroom rate is available at the Regina Inn by asking for the OCATS event.  Discounted conference fees available for OCATS members and all students.  For more information please contact Darlene at 306-775-1848 or CNT Management Group Claire Bélanger-Parker [claire.belanger-parker@cntgrp.ca].

For more info contact Darlene Gray at OCATS at 306-775-1848, cell 529-3199 or darlenegray@sasktel.netdarlenegray@sasktel.net

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Understanding risk : Cancer Research UK

Understanding risk

Every week it seems that there’s a news story about something that increases or cuts the risk of cancer.
Often, these reports are full of numbers - 11 per cent lower risk, 65 per cent increased risk, double the risk - but what do they actually mean?
To make things clearer, there’s a detailed explanation of risk on our Healthy Living pages.
Read our other top tips:

• Look at the numbers
• Look for controls
• Is the research published? If so, where?
• Who funded it?
• Still early days
• Weird, wacky and wonderful

5 min video: SECOND OPINION | Ovarian Cancer | PBS

Note: the video seems to take a bit of time to load (patience req'd);

abstract: Parental cancer and the family. Kathryn E. Weaver. 2010; Cancer - Wiley InterScience

Understanding How Out-of-Pocket Expenses, Treatment Value, and Patient Characteristics Influence Treatment Choices -- U.S.

"The study used a convenience sample of patients undergoing surveillance following curative treatment for localized cancer who completed a paper survey to estimate the maximum copayment patients are willing to pay for better treatment outcomes. Results suggest that patients may be less willing to pay high copayments for treatments with modest benefit. In addition, sociodemographic factors such as education and employment status were associated with willingness to pay." "In conclusion, this study demonstrates that it is feasible to measure cancer patients' WTP (willingness to pay) for treatments in both the adjuvant and palliative settings. In addition, our results support the hypothesis that cancer patients' WTP for treatment may be influenced by both sociodemographic factors and their assessment of the treatment's value. If confirmed in a larger, more heterogeneous population, these findings suggest that insurance benefit designs based on treatment value may be feasible for cancer treatment. However, they also highlight the risk that higher out-of-pocket expenses may contribute to socioeconomic disparities in cancer care."

Abstract/full free access: Adherence to cancer screening guidelines across Canadian provinces: an observational study

Note:

1) study period - "We calculated age-cancer-specific screening rates for ages 40-60 using the Canadian Community Health Survey (2003 and 2005), a cross-sectional, nationally representative survey of health status, health care utilization and health determinants in the Canadian population."
2) includes: breast, mammography, PSA

The primary care physician role in cancer genetics: a qualitative study of patient experience Family Practice

Abstract

Background. Increased availability of genetic testing is changing the primary care role in cancer genetics. The perspective of primary care physicians (PCPs) regarding their role in support of genetic testing has been explored, but little is known about the expectations of patients or the PCP role once genetic test results are received.

Methods. Two sets of open-ended semi-structured interviews were completed with patients (N = 25) in a cancer genetic programme in Ontario, Canada, within 4 months of receiving genetic test results and 1 year later; written reports of test results were collected.

Results. Patients expected PCPs to play a role in referral for genetic testing; they hoped that PCPs would have sufficient knowledge to appreciate familial risk and supportive attitudes towards genetic testing. Patients had more difficulty in identifying a PCP role following receipt of genetic test results; cancer patients in particular emphasized this as a role for cancer specialists. Still, some patients anticipated an ongoing PCP role comprising risk-appropriate surveillance or reassurance, especially as specialist care diminished. These expectations were complicated by occasional confusion regarding the ongoing care appropriate to genetic test results.

Conclusions. The potential PCP role in cancer genetics is quite broad. Patients expect PCPs to play a role in risk identification and genetics referral. In addition, some patients anticipated an ongoing role for their PCPs after receiving genetic test results. Sustained efforts will be needed to support PCPs in this expansive role if best use is to be made of investments in cancer genetic services.

Future Medicine - Link between personality and cancer

Note: also see prior blog post on Type D personality as per below (date):
 
Saturday, January 23, 2010
 full free access: Type D personality in the general population: a systematic review of health status, mechanisms of disease, and work-related problems "Type D personality in the general population: a systematic review of health status, mechanisms of disease, and work-related problems."

Medical News: Cancer Costs Double in Less than 20 Years - in Public Health & Policy, General Professional Issues

Note: over the past many years, the cost factors (no matter the country/politics) have formed a large part of cancer research, the one part which is always missing is what if it's me....IMHO obviously

JNCI podcast: re: recent frutis/vegetable/cancer risk study

Note: scroll down the page - the link as below will automatically start

"JNCI Interview: Dr. Regina Ziegler discusses a large study suggesting that fruits and vegetables are associated with only a modest reduction in cancer risk."

full access: Quality in Cancer Diagnosis CA: A Cancer Journal for Clinicians