Aim The study explored the experiences of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy at Ho Teaching Hospital. Design A qualitative design which was exploratory and descriptive in nature was employed. Methods Purposive sampling was used to recruit participants. Data were collected using a semi-structured interview guide. Saturation of data was reached after the eighth participant was interviewed. The interviews were audio-recorded and lasted between 30-70 min, and the data were analysed concurrently with data collection using content analysis. Three major themes emerged. Results Participants experienced hair loss, changes in skin and nail pigmentation and social isolation. The study further revealed that inadequate access to information from healthcare providers and lack of resources coupled with financial constraints were among the major challenges participants faced. However, varied supports from significant others were of much help which enabled participants to go through their chemotherapy successfully.

https://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/pdf/10.1002/nop2.1029

Experiences of women with breast cancer undergoing chemotherapy: A study at Ho Teaching Hospital, Ghana.

Background Cancers are one of the main reasons of morbidity and mortality globally. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia (CIA) is one of the most alarming, terrifying, and traumatic adverse effects. A range of therapeutic measures has been suggested to alleviate CIA, but at present, there is no accepted pharmacological therapy that can assure prevention or management. Aim The aim of the present study was to evaluate the efficacy of QR 678 Neo® therapy in the treatment of persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia in women and men treated with cytotoxic chemotherapy for breast and lung cancers, respectively. Methods A total of 8 male patients with history of lung cancer and 12 female patients with history of breast cancer in the age range of 25-60 years, with WHO classification of grade I and II persistent alopecia who had undergone chemotherapy treatment, were selected for the study. At each visit, 1.5 mL solution of QR 678® was injected into the scalp skin of patients. A total of 8 sessions were performed at an interval of 3 weeks each. All the patients were evaluated with standard global photography, video microscopic assessment, and patient self-assessment questionnaire at baseline, 6 months, and 1 year. Results Marked improvement was seen in the global assessment score at 6 months (mean-8) which was maintained even after 1 year. Mean score increase in hair count at 6 months was 12.71 which further increased at 1 year. High satisfaction score was given by patients for slowing of hair loss (mean = 4.2) and also for overall hair growth. For appearance and growth of hair, the mean value was 3.4 and 3.8, respectively. Conclusion The formulation of QR 678® and QR 678® Neo showed to be significantly safe and efficient for chemotherapy-induced alopecia in both men and women. Improvement in hair growth was maintained even at 1 year of follow-up. No patient had any severe adverse effects, and injections were also easily bearable by most of them.

Evaluation of efficacy of QR678® and QR678® Neo hair growth factor formulation in the treatment of persistent chemotherapy-induced alopecia caused due to cytotoxic chemotherapy-A prospective pilot study.

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a group of rare genetic disorders that are characterized by fragile skin. Because of its rarity, many neonatologists may not be familiar with the current diagnosis and treatment recommendations for EB. The classification of EB was updated in 2020. The diagnosis of EB is now more heavily based on genetic rather than clinical or histologic features. In this review, we summarize the basic classification of EB, the preferred methods of diagnosis including a panel of next-generation sequencing for all types of EB, as well as specific immunofluorescence and electron microscopy of skin biopsies in special circumstances. We also review the principles of skin care for the newborn with EB and discuss the possible associated comorbidities including infectious, gastrointestinal, respiratory, and genitourinary complications. Lastly, we discuss the approach to educating the family about the diagnosis, prognosis, and care of an infant with EB and describe resources for the successful transition of the infant from the hospital to the home.

Diagnosis and Care of the Newborn with Epidermolysis Bullosa

https://aquila.usm.edu/cgi/viewcontent.cgi?article=19674&context=fac_pubs

Characterization of swine behavior and production using measurements collected via indoor positioning system

Pediatric cancer treatment includes several chemotherapeutic drugs in combination with adequate supportive management. Symptom distress among pediatric cancer patients on chemotherapy interferes with treatment compliance. Poorly managed distress leads to the decline of the child’s ability physically and mentally and deteriorates the quality of life. This paper shows the effect of chemotherapeutic drugs induced symptom distress, and the effect of early diagnosis in the management and improvement in the quality of life of pediatric cancer patients. For this study60, pediatric cancer patients aged between 10 to 18 years including both the gender were chosen using purposive sampling. Using the M.D. Anderson symptom inventory the symptom distress experienced by the pediatric cancer patients was assessed. The present quantitative cross-sectional study was conducted at the AIIMS, Raipur. The data were analyzed using the descriptive Statistical Package for Social Science Version 16 (SPSS 16). The categorical data was analyzed using chi –square test and the cut off p-value at ≤0.05. Among, the pediatric cancer patients 77.65% (SD 18.85) were experiencing severe symptom distress when on chemotherapy. Whereas 53.65 %( SD 9.63). of them experiencing the symptoms those disturb their activities of daily living in the last twenty four hours at p-value of ≤0.05. There is a need for an adequate support system from the school, social relationship, siblings, and health care team for improving the quality of life of pediatric cancer patients. Animal facilitated therapy, artistics expressions, medical play, procedural education, well organized home bound or school programs help the pediatric cancer patients to manage the symptom distress, thereby improving the treatment outcome. The specific supportive chemotherapeutic management is essential for the pediatric cancer patient’s treatment compliance and prognosis. The health care team, especially nurses play a vital role in early detection of chemotherapeutic agents induced symptom distress and its management.

Chemotherapeutic Drugs Induced Symptom Distress Among Pediatric Cancer Patients

Alopecia is a major issue related to body image. Hair symbolises life and identity, plays an important role in social communication reflecting the social class, sex, profession and religious belief. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia is a condition that can affect psychosocial well-being and quality of life of a cancer patient resulting in anxiety, depression, a negative body image and lowered self-esteem. This study was designed to assess the level of distress and coping in cancer patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia. A descriptive study design was used, and a convenience sampling technique was used to select 150 subjects experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia in the oncology wards of a tertiary hospital. Chemotherapy-induced alopecia distress scale was used to assess the level of distress and chemotherapy-induced alopecia coping scale was used to assess various coping strategies among subjects. A high level of distress was experienced by 59.3% of the subjects and 60% of them had moderate coping. There was a weak negative (r = −0.083) and a weak positive (r = 0.238) correlation between the level of distress and passive and active coping strategies, respectively. The significant factors associated with distress were gender, financial source for treatment, diagnosis, type of chemotherapeutic drug, number of cycles offered and major coping strategy adopted. Factors such as number of children, family income, duration of illness and occupation of the patient showed significant association with the coping strategies. This study highlighted the need for the health-care team to be more sensitive to the less explored area of cancer treatment which would lead to an improved quality of life throughout the patient's illness process.

Distress and coping in cancer patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Epidermolysis bullosa (EB) is a genetic disorder with skin fragility resulting in easy blistering of skin and mucous membranes. A plane of cleavage exists even where there is no visible blister, so new blisters should be drained as soon as possible to prevent their expansion. Although, learning how to drain blisters safely and painlessly without introducing infection is essential, it can be a major challenge, especially for new parents and children. To avoid demonstrating the technique directly on patient's skin, we have devised a simple teaching aid simulating a hand and forearm with multiple blisters, created with readily available materials. In our experience, we have found this low-cost model to be extremely useful to teach patients, families, and professional groups, how to drain EB blisters and it provides an effective, low-cost, painless substitute for real-life blisters, empowering parents and engaging children.

Anandha Ruby Jacob

Papers

Distress and coping in cancer patients experiencing chemotherapy-induced alopecia

Learning to pop blisters in epidermolysis bullosa with a simple model.