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Psycho-Oncology: Advances in Assessment and Intervention

A special issue of International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (ISSN 1660-4601). This special issue belongs to the section "Global Health".

Deadline for manuscript submissions: closed (31 July 2023) | Viewed by 9057

Special Issue Editors


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Guest Editor
Portucalense Institute for Psychology (I2P), Portucalense University, Porto, Portugal
Interests: health psychology; psycho-oncology

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Guest Editor
Center for Health Technology and Services Research (CINTESIS.UA), University of Aveiro, 3810-193 Aveiro, Portugal
Interests: health psychology; psycho-oncology

Special Issue Information

Dear Colleagues,

Cancer is a global health burden with immediate and long-lasting side effects that affect individuals’ quality of life. Despite incidence of its diagnosis increasing in recent years (19.3 million new cancer cases worldwide) (Sung et al., 2021), life expectancy has also increased, making it necessary to invest in understanding the psychological, social, and behavioral aspects of the disease. Psycho-oncology is an expanding interdisciplinary field concerned with the study of these factors and their relationship with the risk, course, treatment, and outcome (in terms of survival) of cancer. In this sense, this Special Issue of the International Journal of Environmental Research and Public Health (IJERPH) seeks to (i) detail current knowledge about the psychosocial and behavioral challenges of an oncological disease at different stages of the life cycle along the cancer continuum, from early diagnosis to survivorship; and (ii) present advances in terms of interventions to improve the psychosocial well-being and functionality of cancer patients and their families. Original, innovative and timely research papers and reviews are welcome in this Special Issue.

Dr. Ana Bártolo
Dr. Sara Monteiro
Guest Editors

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Keywords

  • oncology
  • cancer care
  • psychological
  • intervention
  • family
  • risk factors

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Published Papers (4 papers)

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Research

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12 pages, 687 KiB  
Article
Changes of Symptoms of Anxiety, Depression, and Fatigue in Cancer Patients 3 Months after a Video-Based Intervention
by Sina Schlecht, Sven Neubert, Karin Meng, Antonia Rabe and Elisabeth Jentschke
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(20), 6933; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20206933 - 17 Oct 2023
Cited by 1 | Viewed by 1952
Abstract
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing restricted psycho-oncological care. Therefore, this secondary analysis examines the changes in anxiety, fear of progression, fatigue, and depression in cancer patients after a video-based eHealth intervention. We used a prospective observational design with 155 cancer patients with [...] Read more.
During the COVID-19 pandemic, social distancing restricted psycho-oncological care. Therefore, this secondary analysis examines the changes in anxiety, fear of progression, fatigue, and depression in cancer patients after a video-based eHealth intervention. We used a prospective observational design with 155 cancer patients with mixed tumor entities. Data were assessed before and after the intervention and at a three-month follow-up using self-reported questionnaires (GAD-7, FOP-Q-SF, PHQ-8, and EORTC QLQ-FA12). The eight videos included psychoeducation, Acceptance and Commitment Therapy elements, and yoga and qigong exercises. The results showed that three months after finishing the video-based intervention, participants showed significantly reduced fear of progression (d = −0.23), depression (d = −0.27), and fatigue (d = −0.24) compared to the baseline. However, there was no change in anxiety (d = −0.09). Findings indicated marginal improvements in mental distress when using video-based intervention for cancer patients for up to three months, but long-term effectiveness must be confirmed using a controlled design. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psycho-Oncology: Advances in Assessment and Intervention)
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14 pages, 686 KiB  
Article
Be the Match’. Predictors of Decisions Concerning Registration as a Potential Bone Marrow Donor—A Psycho-Socio-Demographic Study
by Jacek Bogucki and Wioletta Tuszyńska-Bogucka
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(11), 5993; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20115993 - 29 May 2023
Viewed by 1721
Abstract
(1) Background: The study was aimed at a better understanding of the factors determining making a decision to become a potential bone marrow donor, in a Polish research sample; (2) Methods: The data was collected using a self-report questionnaire among persons who voluntarily [...] Read more.
(1) Background: The study was aimed at a better understanding of the factors determining making a decision to become a potential bone marrow donor, in a Polish research sample; (2) Methods: The data was collected using a self-report questionnaire among persons who voluntarily participated in the study concerning donation, conducted on a sample of the Polish population via Internet. The study included 533 respondents (345 females and 188 males), aged 18–49. Relationships between the decision about registration as potential bone marrow donor and psycho-socio-demographic factors were estimated using the machine learning methods (binary logistic regression and classification & regression tree); (3) Results. The applied methods coherently emphasized the crucial role of personal experiences in making the decision about willingness for potential donation, f.e. familiarity with the potential donor. They also indicated religious issues and negative health state assessment as main decision-making destimulators; (4) Conclusions. The results of the study may contribute to an increase in the effectiveness of recruitment actions by more precise personalization of popularizing-recruitment actions addressed to the potential donors. It was found that selected machine learning methods are interesting set of analyses, increasing the prognostic accuracy and quality of the proposed model. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psycho-Oncology: Advances in Assessment and Intervention)
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Review

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17 pages, 1618 KiB  
Review
Taking Care of an Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivor: A Systematic Review of the Impact of Cancer on Family Caregivers
by Maria Carolina Neves, Ana Bártolo, Judith B. Prins, Célia M. D. Sales and Sara Monteiro
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2023, 20(8), 5488; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph20085488 - 12 Apr 2023
Cited by 8 | Viewed by 2319
Abstract
Research usually investigates adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer in combination with younger and older cancer patients and survivors. However, AYAs with cancer are a unique group, and their caregivers’ experience may also differ from other caregivers of cancer survivors. This systematic [...] Read more.
Research usually investigates adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer in combination with younger and older cancer patients and survivors. However, AYAs with cancer are a unique group, and their caregivers’ experience may also differ from other caregivers of cancer survivors. This systematic review aims to understand the impact of a cancer diagnosis on family caregivers, comparing the experience of caregivers of AYA childhood cancer survivors (AYA CCS) and caregivers of AYA with cancer. Relevant studies were identified through PubMed, Scopus, and Web of Science databases, and their quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute’s critical appraisal checklists. Sixteen studies (17 reports) met the inclusion criteria. Findings were synthesized separately for caregivers of AYA CCS and caregivers of AYA with cancer. Results showed that caregivers in both groups experienced high distress after the diagnosis. Partners of AYAs with cancer experienced diminished quality of life (QoL) and over half reported moderate to high fear of cancer recurrence (FCR). Findings indicated that cancer negatively impacts family caregivers, regardless of the patient’s age at diagnosis. However, findings are heterogeneous, and most do not focus on QoL or FCR. More research is needed on the impact of cancer among these family caregivers. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psycho-Oncology: Advances in Assessment and Intervention)
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21 pages, 1437 KiB  
Review
Sexual Function in Women with Breast Cancer: An Evidence Map of Observational Studies
by Nelson Rodrigues-Machado, M. Jesús Quintana, Raquel Gómez-Gómez and Xavier Bonfill-Cosp
Int. J. Environ. Res. Public Health 2022, 19(21), 13976; https://doi.org/10.3390/ijerph192113976 - 27 Oct 2022
Cited by 7 | Viewed by 2164
Abstract
Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer in women, and has implications for sexual function (SF). In this study, we used an evidence map to identify, describe, and organise the current available evidence regarding SF in women with BC. We searched [...] Read more.
Breast cancer (BC) is the leading cause of cancer in women, and has implications for sexual function (SF). In this study, we used an evidence map to identify, describe, and organise the current available evidence regarding SF in women with BC. We searched the MEDLINE, PsycINFO, and CINAHL databases for observational studies assessing SF in women with BC published in English, Spanish, Portuguese, and French between 2000 and 2021 (sample ≥ 50 women). Of the 64 included studies (13,257 women with BC), 58 were published since 2010. Women who were married, partnered, or in relationships represented 74.1% of the entire sample. Only a single study was conducted on women representing a sexual minority. We identified 22 assessment instruments and 40 sexual dysfunction (SdF) domains. The number of publications on SF in women with BC has increased in the last 10 years, but still remains low. Some groups of women are underrepresented, and some SdF domains are underdiagnosed, with the assessment instrument used affecting which domains are studied. Women with BC need to be better screened, as their quality of life (QoL) is affected by SdF. Full article
(This article belongs to the Special Issue Psycho-Oncology: Advances in Assessment and Intervention)
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