Information needs and sources of information among cancer patients: a systematic review of research (1980–2003)

This introductory text on the design and analysis of sample surveys emphasizes the practical aspects of survey problems. It begins with brief chapters on the role of sample surveys in the modern world. Thereafter, each chapter introduces a sample survey design or estimation procedure by describing the pertinent practical problem. The authors describe the methodology proposed for solving the problem and provide the details of the estimation procedure, including a compact presentation of the formulas needed to complete the analysis. Then, a practical example is worked out in complete detail. At the end of each chapter, a wealth of exercises gives students ample opportunity to practice the techniques and stretch their grasp of ideas.

Elementary Survey Sampling

American Cancer Society Guidelines for the Early Detection of Cancer

Background. No comprehensive systematic review has been published since 1998 about the frequency with which cancer patients use complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). Methods. MEDLINE, AMED, and Embase databases were searched for surveys published until January 2009. Surveys conducted in Australia, Canada, Europe, New Zealand, and the United States with at least 100 adult cancer patients were included. Detailed information on methods and results was independently extracted by 2 reviewers. Methodological quality was assessed using a criteria list developed according to the STROBE guideline. Exploratory random effects metaanalysis and metaregression were applied. Results. Studies from 18 countries (152; >65 000 cancer patients) were included. Heterogeneity of CAM use was high and to some extent explained by differences in survey methods. The combined prevalence for “current use” of CAM across all studies was 40%. The highest was in the United States and the lowest in Italy and the Netherlands. Metaanalysis suggested an increase in CAM use from an estimated 25% in the 1970s and 1980s to more than 32% in the 1990s and to 49% after 2000. Conclusions. The overall prevalence of CAM use found was lower than often claimed. However, there was some evidence that the use has increased considerably over the past years. Therefore, the health care systems ought to implement clear strategies of how to deal with this. To improve the validity and reporting of future surveys, the authors suggest criteria for methodological quality that should be fulfilled and reporting standards that should be required.

https://journals.sagepub.com/doi/pdf/10.1177/1534735411423920

How Many Cancer Patients Use Complementary and Alternative Medicine: A Systematic Review and Metaanalysis

This systematic review was conducted to inform an update of U.S. Preventive Services Task Force recommendations on prostate cancer screening. The authors searched MEDLINE and Cochrane databases fro...

/pdf/screening-for-prostate-cancer-a-review-of-the-evidence-for-3po4rnqenj.pdf

Screening for prostate cancer: a review of the evidence for the U.S. Preventive Services Task Force.

PURPOSE: To determine the prevalence of use of complementary/alternative medicine (CAM) by breast cancer survivors in Ontario, Canada, and to compare the characteristics of CAM users and CAM nonusers. PATIENTS AND METHODS: A questionnaire was mailed to a random sample of Ontario women diagnosed with breast cancer in 1994 or 1995. RESULTS: The response rate was 76.3%. Overall, 66.7% of the respondents reported using CAM, most often in an attempt to boost the immune system. CAM practitioners (most commonly chiropractors, herbalists, acupuncturists, traditional Chinese medicine practitioners, and/or naturopathic practitioners) were visited by 39.4% of the respondents. In addition, 62.0% reported use of CAM products (most frequently vitamins/minerals, herbal medicines, green tea, special foods, and essiac). Almost one half of the respondents informed their physicians of their use of CAM. Multiple logistic regression analysis determined that support group attendance was the only factor significantly associated...

Use of Complementary/Alternative Medicine by Breast Cancer Survivors in Ontario: Prevalence and Perceptions

Prostate cancer is a major health problem—one that inevitably challenges men's notions about themselves and their expressions of masculinity. As part of a larger study investigating linkages between masculinity and prostate cancer, this article focuses on the narratives of three men with prostate cancer—all of whom shed light on contemporary forms of hegemonic masculinity. Multiple interviews were conducted with study participants, capturing experiencesboth prior to and following cancer diagnosis. Analysis of individual narratives showed how social factors such as work and family influenced (and were influenced by) men's experiences with illness. All three men were forced to renegotiate their performances of masculinity—with this renegotiation mostly occurring within the parameters of performance consistent with hegemonic masculinity. However, there was also some evidence of shifts into new socialterritory and new expressions of masculinity. In contrast to more traditional, trait-based approaches to studying men's experiences, a narrative approach allows social scientists to do justice to the temporal realities and contextual complexities of men's lives. Men will be better understood as more attention is paid to the actual shape of individual lives.

Hegemonic Masculinity and the Experience of Prostate Cancer: A Narrative Approach

Use of complementary/alternative medicine by men diagnosed with prostate cancer: prevalence and characteristics

Objective: Close interpersonal relationships play a crucial role in a woman's adjustment to breast cancer. To date, the literature has focused primarily on characteristics or behaviors of the well spouse that influence a woman's adaptation to the illness. The present qualitative investigation extended this literature by adopting an interactional perspective based on the underlying assumption that relationship partners' coping and distress is mutually influential. The focus of the analysis was patient and partner perceptions of relationship strife or tension over the course of the illness based on the notion that such interactions may be as or more harmful to relationships than supportive exchanges are helpful.



Method: Nineteen women (at different stages of the illness) and eleven male spouses were interviewed about their experiences in relation to breast cancer. Nine of the men and nine of the women were relationship partners. Interview text was subjected to a thematic analysis and informed by grounded theory principles.



Results: Two higher-order categories of Personal Characteristics (both patient and partner) and Relationship Dynamics that impeded couple adjustment defined the overall theme of Relationship Vulnerabilities.



Conclusions: Findings from this study are situated within a broader developmental framework wherein breast cancer is considered a catastrophic life event that challenges the assimilation and accommodation processes of both partners in the relationship. For couples that are able to overcome the relationship challenges associated with the illness, there is the potential for mutual growth, and a deepening and strengthening of the relationship. Implications for clinical practice are discussed. Copyright © 2009 John Wiley & Sons, Ltd.

Relationship vulnerabilities during breast cancer: patient and partner perspectives.

Objective There exists little research about the experience of breast cancer for young women in Canada To address this gap, the Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN) and the Ontario Breast Cancer Community Research Initiative undertook a research project to explore the information and support experiences, needs and recommendations of geographically diverse Canadian young women with breast cancer



Setting and participants  We consulted with 65 young women in 10 focus groups held across Canada All women had been diagnosed with breast cancer at, or before, 45 years of age During the consultations the women were asked to discuss their information and support experiences and needs, as well as resource recommendations related to their diagnosis, treatment and survivorship



Main results  The overarching theme, ‘Nothing Fit Me’, revealed that accessed information, support and programmes/services did not ‘fit’ or match the women's age or life stage When we asked for their recommendations the young women suggested that information and support match their age and life stage and that health-care providers create and implement several topical workshops concerning, for example, sexuality, lymphedema and reconstruction



Conclusion  The findings will be used by the CBCN as a general platform from which to conduct further research and/or action strategies The CBCN will also implement the recommendations from this groundbreaking work as this network formulates a national strategy for young women with breast cancer

Ross Gray

Papers

Use of Complementary/Alternative Medicine by Breast Cancer Survivors in Ontario: Prevalence and Perceptions

Hegemonic Masculinity and the Experience of Prostate Cancer: A Narrative Approach

Use of complementary/alternative medicine by men diagnosed with prostate cancer: prevalence and characteristics

Relationship vulnerabilities during breast cancer: patient and partner perspectives.

‘Nothing fit me’: nationwide consultations with young women with breast cancer