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Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges

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A special issue of Cancers (ISSN 2072-6694). This special issue belongs to the section "Cancer Survivorship and Quality of Life".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 August 2022) | Viewed by 26434

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Prof. Dr. Philip R. Debruyne

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Guest Editor

1. Department of Medical Oncology, Kortrijk Cancer Centre, AZ Groeninge, Kortrijk, Belgium
2. School of Life Sciences, Faculty of Science and Engineering, Anglia Ruskin University, Cambridge, UK
3. School of Nursing and Midwifery, Faculty of Health, University of Plymouth, Plymouth, UK
Interests: chemobrain; geriatric oncology; early clinical trials; vulnerable cancer patients; psychosocial oncology
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Prof. Dr. Patricia Schofield

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Co-Guest Editor

Faculty of Health & Well Being, Sheffield Hallam University, Sheffield S10, UK
Interests: pain; aging; dementia
Special Issues, Collections and Topics in MDPI journals

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Psychosocial oncology is coming of age. This multidisciplinary subdiscipline of cancer care encompasses a myriad of domains. such as anxiety, fear of cancer recurrence, depression, trauma, distress, cognitive function, fatigue, sexual function and intimacy, and sleep disturbance. In addition, there are many psychosocial aspects of coping with the physical sequelae of cancer and its treatments. Cardiovascular problems, lymphedema, pain, hormonal-related symptoms, infertility, and neuropathy are only a few of the many side effects. The improved detection of genetic syndromes predisposing patients and their families to cancer also have many psychosocial aspects. Indeed, psychosocial aspects are not limited to cancer patients but also to their families, friends, colleagues and even employers, and, finally, their caregivers.

Research is focusing on the understanding of all these aspects, and it is expected that this will lead to improved early detection, advanced effective treatments, and ultimately better prevention, as well as continuously updated international guidelines. Special attention is required for vulnerable patient groups and their relatives, such as children, older patients, migrant populations, veterans, people with mental disabilities, AYAs, etc.

For this Special Issue, we welcome original and review papers that deal with the challenges and recent advances in psychosocial oncology. We especially look for papers that provide insight into new and original research methodologies, improved early detection strategies, original treatment approaches, and organization of care.

You may choose our Joint Special Issue in Geriatrics.

Prof. Dr. Philip R. Debruyne
Prof. Dr. Patricia Schofield
Guest Editors

Manuscript Submission Information

Manuscripts should be submitted online at www.mdpi.com by registering and logging in to this website. Once you are registered, click here to go to the submission form. Manuscripts can be submitted until the deadline. All submissions that pass pre-check are peer-reviewed. Accepted papers will be published continuously in the journal (as soon as accepted) and will be listed together on the special issue website. Research articles, review articles as well as short communications are invited. For planned papers, a title and short abstract (about 100 words) can be sent to the Editorial Office for announcement on this website.

Submitted manuscripts should not have been published previously, nor be under consideration for publication elsewhere (except conference proceedings papers). All manuscripts are thoroughly refereed through a single-blind peer-review process. A guide for authors and other relevant information for submission of manuscripts is available on the Instructions for Authors page. Cancers is an international peer-reviewed open access semimonthly journal published by MDPI.

Please visit the Instructions for Authors page before submitting a manuscript. The Article Processing Charge (APC) for publication in this open access journal is 2900 CHF (Swiss Francs). Submitted papers should be well formatted and use good English. Authors may use MDPI's English editing service prior to publication or during author revisions.

Keywords

psychosocial oncology
vulnerable cancer patients
supportive care

Related Special Issue

Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges in Geriatrics (1 article)

Published Papers (9 papers)

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Editorial

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4 pages, 203 KiB

Open AccessEditorial

Psychosocial Care after Cancer Diagnosis: Recent Advances and Challenges

by Laura Tack, Patricia Schofield, Tom Boterberg, Rebecca Chandler, Christopher N. Parris and Philip R. Debruyne

Cancers 2022, 14(23), 5882; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14235882 - 29 Nov 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1682

Abstract

Psychosocial oncology is coming of age [...] Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

Research

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15 pages, 1892 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Medi-Cinema: A Pilot Study on Cinematherapy and Cancer as A New Psychological Approach on 30 Gynecological Oncological Patients

by Daniela Pia Rosaria Chieffo, Letizia Lafuenti, Ludovica Mastrilli, Rebecca De Paola, Sofia Vannuccini, Marina Morra, Fulvia Salvi, Ivo Boškoski, Vanda Salutari, Gabriella Ferrandina and Giovanni Scambia

Cancers 2022, 14(13), 3067; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14133067 - 22 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 2193

Abstract

Background: Several subjects affected by cancer experience a significant level of multidimensional disease. This longitudinal study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of psycho-oncological support using Cinema as an emotional mediator and to promote perceived well-being by personalized psychological treatment. Methods: Thirty women diagnosed with gynecological cancer watched 12 movies and participated in a psychotherapy group co-conducted by two psychotherapists. Patients completed nine questionnaires at T0 (baseline), T1 (3 months) and T2 (6 months). Results: Patients observed significant improvements (CORE-OM: p < 0.001) in psychological well-being. The results showed statistically significant differences, even in several other dimensions, such as Anxiety (STAY-Y1-2: p < 0.001), Empathy (BEES, p < 0.001), Coping (COPE: p < 0.001), QoL (QLQ-C30, p: 0.026), couple relationship (DAS, Satisfaction: p: 0.013; Cohesion: p: 0.004) and alexithymia (TAS-20, Difficulty Identifying Feeling: p: 0.002; Externally-Oriented Thinking: p: 0.003). Conclusions: The data show that cinema, as an innovative psychological approach, could be a valid instrument to support patients in oncological pathways as well as facilitating the process of recognizing themselves in other patients and communicating about their own feelings. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

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15 pages, 1614 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychological Impact of TP53-Variant-Carrier Newborns and Counselling on Mothers: A Pediatric Surveillance Cohort

by Amanda Scartezini Gozdziejewski, Clarice Wichinescki Zotti, Isabela Aparecida Moreira de Carvalho, Thairine Camargo dos Santos, Luana Rayana de Santi Walter, Karin Rosa Persegona Ogradowski, Karin Luiza Dammski, Heloisa Komechen, Monalisa Castilho Mendes, Emanuelle Nunes de Souza, Mariana Martins Paraizo, Ivy Zortea da Silva Parise, Guilherme Augusto Parise, André Luiz Grion, Gislaine Custódio, Rosiane Guetter Mello and Bonald C. Figueiredo

Cancers 2022, 14(12), 2945; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14122945 - 15 Jun 2022

Cited by 2 | Viewed by 1835

Abstract

Counselling and genetic testing (CGT) after neonatal screening may increase depression and anxiety (DA) levels during cancer surveillance. This study assessed the DA scores in mothers of newborns from Paraná state, Southern Brazil, carrying the TP53 p.R337H variant. To understand and adjust DA conditions during term of pregnancy, we initially detected sociodemographic covariates [marital status (MS), number of children (NC), and/or education level (EL): MS-NC-EL] on an independent group of pregnant women (not subjected to genetic testing). The Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) was used to assess risk factors in pregnant (cross-sectional analysis) and unrelated mothers (at 2-month intervals, longitudinal study) of TP53 p.R337H-tested newborns (three sessions of HADS analysis) using Wilcoxon (Mann–Whitney) and Kruskal–Wallis nonparametric tests. Lower anxiety levels were observed in mothers of noncarriers (without MS-NC-EL = 6.91 ± 1.19; with MS-NC-EL = 6.82 ± 0.93) than in mothers of p.R337H carriers in the first session (without MS-NC-EL = 6.82 = 8.49 ± 0.6025, with MS-NC-EL = 6.82 = 9.21 ± 0.66). The anxiety levels significantly decreased 4 months after CGT (third session) in mothers of p.R337H carriers. We did not find a significant change in depression scores. Mothers with mental health instability requiring medications need periodical psychological support during and after CGT. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

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13 pages, 618 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Association between Pre-Existing Sleep Disorders and Survival Rates of Patients with Breast Cancer

by Yen-Chang Chen, Wan-Ming Chen, Ming-Feng Chiang, Ben-Chang Shia and Szu-Yuan Wu

Cancers 2022, 14(3), 798; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14030798 - 04 Feb 2022

Cited by 4 | Viewed by 1906

Abstract

PURPOSE: To investigate the effects of pre-existing sleep disorders on the survival outcomes of women receiving standard treatments for breast invasive ductal carcinoma (IDC). METHODS: We recruited patients from the Taiwan Cancer Registry Database who had received surgery for clinical stage I–III breast IDC. The Cox proportional hazards model was used to analyze all-cause mortality. We categorized the patients into those with and without sleep disorders (Groups 1 and 2, respectively) through propensity score matching. RESULTS: In the multivariate Cox regression analysis, the adjusted hazard ratio for all-cause mortality for Group 1 compared with Group 2 was 1.51 (95% confidence interval: 1.19, 1.91; p < 0.001). CONCLUSION: Our study demonstrated that the sleep disorder group had poorer survival rates than the non-sleep disorder group in breast cancer. Therefore, patients should be screened and evaluated for pre-existing sleep disorders prior to breast surgery, with such disorders serving as a predictor of survival in patients with breast cancer. Future studies may investigate the survival benefits of pharmacological and behavioral treatments for sleep problems in patients with breast cancer. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

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14 pages, 281 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Psychosocial Care for Adult Cancer Patients: Guidelines of the Italian Medical Oncology Association

by Caterina Caminiti, Francesca Diodati, Maria Antonietta Annunziata, Paola Di Giulio, Luciano Isa, Paola Mosconi, Maria Giulia Nanni, Adele Patrini, Michela Piredda, Claudia Santangelo, Claudio Verusio, Michela Cinquini, Veronica Andrea Fittipaldo and Rodolfo Passalacqua

Cancers 2021, 13(19), 4878; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13194878 - 29 Sep 2021

Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2908

Abstract

Psychosocial morbidity can have negative consequences for cancer patients, including maladaptive coping, poor treatment adherence, and lower quality of life. Evidence shows that psychosocial interventions can positively impact quality of life, as well as symptoms and side effects; however, they are not always offered to patients who might benefit from them. These guidelines were produced by a multidisciplinary panel of 16 experts, including patients, following GRADE methodology. The panel framed clinical questions and voted on outcomes to investigate. Studies identified by rigorous search strategies were assessed to rate certainty of evidence, and recommendations were formulated by the panel. Although the quality of the evidence found was generally moderate, interventions could be recommended aimed at improving patient information, communication with healthcare professionals and involvement in decision-making; detecting and managing patient psychosocial needs, particularly with non-pharmacological therapy; and supporting families of patients with advanced cancer. The role of nurses as providers of information and psychosocial care is stressed. Most recommended interventions do not appear to necessitate new services or infrastructures, and therefore do not require allocation of additional resources, but predominantly involve changes in clinical staff behavior and/or ward organization. Patients should be made aware of psychosocial care standards so that they can expect to receive them. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

17 pages, 2016 KiB

Open AccessFeature PaperArticle

Physical Comorbidities and Depression in Recent and Long-Term Adult Cancer Survivors: NHANES 2007–2018

by Dafina Petrova, Andrés Catena, Miguel Rodríguez-Barranco, Daniel Redondo-Sánchez, Eloísa Bayo-Lozano, Rocio Garcia-Retamero, José-Juan Jiménez-Moleón and María-José Sánchez

Cancers 2021, 13(13), 3368; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13133368 - 05 Jul 2021

Cited by 16 | Viewed by 3966

Abstract

Many adult cancer patients present one or more physical comorbidities. Besides interfering with treatment and prognosis, physical comorbidities could also increase the already heightened psychological risk of cancer patients. To test this possibility, we investigated the relationship between physical comorbidities with depression symptoms in a sample of 2073 adult cancer survivors drawn from the nationally representative National Health and Nutrition Examination Survey (NHANES) (2007–2018) in the U.S. Based on information regarding 16 chronic conditions, the number of comorbidities diagnosed before and after the cancer diagnosis was calculated. The number of comorbidities present at the moment of cancer diagnosis was significantly related to depression risk in recent but not in long-term survivors. Recent survivors who suffered multimorbidity had 3.48 (95% CI 1.26–9.55) times the odds of reporting significant depressive symptoms up to 5 years after the cancer diagnosis. The effect of comorbidities was strongest among survivors of breast cancer. The comorbidities with strongest influence on depression risk were stroke, kidney disease, hypertension, obesity, asthma, and arthritis. Information about comorbidities is usually readily available and could be useful in streamlining depression screening or targeting prevention efforts in cancer patients and survivors. A multidimensional model of the interaction between cancer and other physical comorbidities on mental health is proposed. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

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13 pages, 656 KiB

Open AccessArticle

Anxiety during Radiation Therapy: A Prospective Randomized Controlled Trial Evaluating a Specific One-on-One Procedure Announcement Provided by a Radiation Therapist

by Delphine Antoni, Céline Vigneron, Jean-Baptiste Clavier, Sébastien Guihard, Michel Velten and Georges Noel

Cancers 2021, 13(11), 2572; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13112572 - 24 May 2021

Cited by 5 | Viewed by 2441

Abstract

Background: Anxiety impacts patient outcomes and quality of life in response to cancer diagnosis. A prospective phase 3 trial randomizing 126 patients was conducted to determine whether a specific one-on-one procedure announcement provided by a radiation therapist before CT scan simulation decreases anxiety for patients with breast cancer requiring radiotherapy. Material and Methods: Anxiety was measured using the STAI form, and the QLQ-C30 and BR-23 questionnaires were used to evaluate quality of life. Results: Mean trait or state anxiety scores before CT scan simulation, before the first and second sessions, and at the end of radiation treatment were not significantly different. We observed a decrease in the level of anxiety with time; however, no significant difference in mean state anxiety scores at any of the time intervals was detected. Factors, such as anxiety trait score, professional and marital status, age, and use of alternative therapy, did not significantly influence the evolution of anxiety status over time or the mean value. Anxiety was significantly influenced by the level of fatigue. Patients who benefited from the radiation therapists’ advice felt significantly better informed. Conclusions: The one-on-one program announcement occurring before CT scan simulation led to patients being more informed and greater satisfaction but did not decrease anxiety. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

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Review

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19 pages, 391 KiB

Open AccessReview

Psychosocial Aspects of Living Long Term with Advanced Cancer and Ongoing Systemic Treatment: A Scoping Review

by Evie E. M. Kolsteren, Esther Deuning-Smit, Alanna K. Chu, Yvonne C. W. van der Hoeven, Judith B. Prins, Winette T. A. van der Graaf, Carla M. L. van Herpen, Inge M. van Oort, Sophie Lebel, Belinda Thewes, Linda Kwakkenbos and José A. E. Custers

Cancers 2022, 14(16), 3889; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers14163889 - 11 Aug 2022

Cited by 9 | Viewed by 3262

Abstract

(1) Background: Studies examining the psychosocial impact of living long term on systemic treatment in advanced cancer patients are scarce. This scoping review aimed to answer the research question “What has been reported about psychosocial factors among patients living with advanced cancer receiving life-long systemic treatment?”, by synthesizing psychosocial data, and evaluating the terminology used to address these patients; (2) Methods: This scoping review was conducted following the five stages of the framework of Arksey and O’Malley (2005); (3) Results: 141 articles published between 2000 and 2021 (69% after 2015) were included. A large variety of terms referring to the patient group was observed. Synthesizing qualitative studies identified ongoing uncertainty, anxiety and fear of disease progression or death, hope in treatment results and new treatment options, loss in several aspects of life, and worries about the impact of disease on loved ones and changes in social life to be prominent psychosocial themes. Of 82 quantitative studies included in the review, 76% examined quality of life, 46% fear of disease progression or death, 26% distress or depression, and 4% hope, while few studies reported on adaptation or cognitive aspects. No quantitative studies focused on uncertainty, loss, or social impact; (4) Conclusion and clinical implications: Prominent psychosocial themes reported in qualitative studies were not included in quantitative research using specific validated questionnaires. More robust studies using quantitative research designs should be conducted to further understand these psychological constructs. Furthermore, the diversity of terminology found in the literature calls for a uniform definition to better address this specific patient group in research and in practice. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

Other

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11 pages, 926 KiB

Open AccessSystematic Review

The Risk of Psychological Stress on Cancer Recurrence: A Systematic Review

by Hyeon-Muk Oh and Chang-Gue Son

Cancers 2021, 13(22), 5816; https://doi.org/10.3390/cancers13225816 - 19 Nov 2021

Cited by 15 | Viewed by 3726

Abstract

Cancer recurrence is a significant clinical issue in cancer treatment. Psychological stress has been known to contribute to the incidence and progression of cancer; however, its effect on cancer recurrence remains inconclusive. We conducted a systematic review to examine the current evidence from the Medline (PubMed), Embase and Cochrane Library up to May 2021. Among 35 relevant articles, a total of 6 studies (10 data points) were finally selected, which enrolled 26,329 patients (26,219 breast cancer patients except hepatocellular carcinoma patients in 1 study), 4 cohort studies (8 data points) and 2 RCTs (2 data points). Among the 8 data points in cohort studies, four psychological stress-related factors (two ‘anxiety’, one ‘depression’, and one ‘hostility’) were shown to be moderately related with the risk for cancer recurrence, while ‘loss of partner’ resulted in opposite outcomes. The ‘emotional‘ and ‘mental’ health factors showed conflicting results, and an RCT-derived meta-analysis proved the positive efficiency of psychotherapies in reducing the cancer recurrence risk among breast cancer patients (HR = 0.52; 95% CI 0.33–0.84). Despite the limitations, this study produces comprehensive information about the effect of psychological stress on cancer recurrence and provides reference data to clinicians and scientists for further studies. Full article

(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psychosocial Oncology: Recent Advances and Challenges)

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