- Andreas Charalambous (Limassol, Cyprus)
- Lena Sharp (Stockholm, Sweden)
Welcome by EONS (ID 604)
- Andreas Charalambous (Limassol, Cyprus)
- Lena Sharp (Stockholm, Sweden)
Welcome by Spanish Oncology Nursing Society (Sociedad Española de Enfermería Oncológica, SEEO) (ID 605)
- Nuria Domenech (Barcelona, Spain)
Cancer nursing research, closing the gap between science and clinical practice (ID 606)
- Maria Teresa Moreno-Casbas (Madrid, Spain)
Leadership, combining research with daily practice (ID 607)
- Hester Vermeulen (Nijmegen, Netherlands)
CN68 - Genetics, biomarkers and symptoms during breast cancer: A scoping review of literature (ID 4921)
- Seyma I. Pasalak (Istanbul, Turkey)
Abstract
Background
Current evidence suggests that sensitive and specific biomarkers will be available to be used for the assessment and management of symptoms. The aims of the study; to explore the existing research evidence pertaining to biomarkers’/genes’ investigation within breast cancer symptom science, and to identify biomarkers to be targeted in future symptom research intervention among breast cancer patients.
Methods
Search terms for this systematic review, included “biomarker*, biological marker*, genetics, genomics, genes, genotype, phenotype, AND oncology, cancer, neoplasm, AND sign*, symptom*, quality of life, cognitive functions/performance or cognitive impairment, sleep disturbances, impaired sleep/insomnia, fatique, pain, GI distress, nausea, vomiting, appetite changes, weight loss, neuropathy, xerostomia and mouth ulcers, neuropathy, skin and nail changes, dyspnea, depression, anxiety”. A comprehensive multistep search of CINAHL (160), Cochrane (41), OVID (18), PsycInfo (59), Pubmed (773), Web of Science (527) for identified articles to include in February 2019. Total 1573 articles found and after discarding the duplicates, 1301 articles were checked by title then abstract. A sample of 114 primary research articles were remained for full text review. Total 55 articles met the inclusion criteria in the review.
Results
Twenty-three articles in different cancer types including breast cancer and 32 articles including only breast cancer patients were reviewed in details. The reference lists of these articles will be checked to find additional studies for scoping reviews. These studies were summarized using the following pre-specified evaluation criteria: the aim of study, major findings; genes and associated polymorphisms investigated, sample characteristics (i.e., size, setting, age); symptom’s assessment (i.e., timing). Symptoms investigated are sleep disturbances, anxiety, cognitive function (attentional function, memory complaints), peripheral neuropathy- neurotoxicity, depressive symptoms, fatigue- energy level, nausea-vomiting, pain (cancer pain, breast pain), quality of life, secondary lymphedema.
Conclusions
In future, candidate genes may be targeted to describe mechanisms of symptoms or symptoms clusters for potential precision treatments and effective symptom management strategies.
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
CN45 - The cost of survival study: A mixed methods exploration of quality of life outcomes in colorectal cancer survivorship (ID 2922)
- Amanda Drury (Dublin, Ireland)
Abstract
Background
Cancer survivors may live with an array of physical, psychological and social disabilities which impact their day-to-day lives. The literature exploring quality of life in cancer survivorship is predominantly quantitative in nature; with inconsistencies in symptom prevalence owing to the multiplicity of generic and disease-specific quality of life instruments. This study explores the quality of life outcomes and symptom experiences of colorectal cancer survivors using a mixed methods sequential explanatory research design.
Methods
A purposive sample of adult colorectal cancer survivors between six and 60 months post-diagnosis (n = 304) were recruited from three public and private hospitals and 21 cancer support centres in Ireland. Participants completed a cross-sectional questionnaire; quality of life was evaluated using the EuroQol and FACT-C questionnaires. A sub-sample of 22 survey participants selected using a maximum variety sampling strategy took part in semi-structured interviews to explore their quality of life and symptom experiences in greater depth.
Results
Quality of life scores reported by the sample were postive on average; however, more than half were dissatisfied with their quality of life, and more than three-quarters reported at least one physical, psychological or social survivorship issue. Negative body image (74%), sexual dysfunction (66%) and fatigue (64%) were the most common issues reported by survey participants. However, qualitative data suggest that less prevalent symptoms such as bowel dysfunction (28-57%) and peripheral neuropathy (47%) were associated with higher levels of unmet need and greatest distress, as they had the greatest potential to negatively impact social and psychological well-being.
Conclusions
The findings of this study demonstrate that although cancer survivors report positive quality of life outcomes, many may experience distressing physical, psychological and social effects. Given the finding that survivors associated greater unmet need and symptom-related distress with less common symptoms, it is imperative cancer survivors receive information and support that is based upon holistic person-centred evidence.
Legal entity responsible for the study
Amanda Drury.
Funding
Health Research Board.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.