<p> Teens with cancer can face a myriad of psychological symptoms. These symptoms include those related to depression, medical trauma, and anxiety, in addition to any of the typical trials of adolescence. Although healthy teens navigate normal developmental challenges by turning to their peers, family, and social institutions (such as places of worship, etc.), teens with cancer are often isolated from their support networks due to lengthy hospital stays and recovery. The unique challenges faced by adolescents with cancer set them apart from their healthy peers, families, and social institutions in ways that may be difficult to surmount. Electronic means to communicate both privately and publicly were neither widely accessible nor mastered by teens prior to the 1990s. Currently, however, not only are social networking platforms accessible and available to most teens, but there are also websites specifically geared for the use of teens with cancer. The aims of the current research were to (A) enlist teens with cancer to produce video narratives about their experiences with their illness, (B) explicitly characterize and investigate the videos&rsquo; content while comparing this to the content of healthy teens discussing a stressful event, and (C) determine what aspects of the production were helpful to the teens making them and predicted to be helpful to those watching them as compared to their healthy peers. Results suggested that while significant difficulties were faced with recruitment of adolescents with cancer (and adolescents with the most severe symptoms and treatment of cancer did not particularly benefit from this exercise), a number of factors relating to resilient qualities within the narrative and legacy making had a positive impact on the narrator (regardless of group), planned health related behaviors, and perceived relationships with others (notably the adolescents with cancers&rsquo; medical team). The positive impact of producing one&rsquo;s narrative on film, especially when the narrator allowed themselves to be the primary subject of the narrative and had a greater understanding of their story as a whole, was statistically stronger in adolescents with cancer compared to their peers. While more research is needed to further characterize these relationships, one could tentatively say that making testimonial videos is indeed beneficial for adolescents with cancer.</p><p>

Hair loss has been ranked as a source of considerable distress and may add to the losses associated with the experience of cancer. Chemotherapy-induced hair loss (alopecia) is a public consequence of the non-selective action of specific antineoplastic agents on healthy tissue. The literature demonstrates a lack of research on hair loss. Nursing studies have focused on efforts to prevent hair loss or measure the impact of hair loss using body-image instruments. The purpose of this study was the detailed examination of the meanings of hair loss over time in a sample of women receiving alopecia-inducing cancer chemotherapy. A qualitative descriptive design using a semi-structured multiple interview format examined the meaning of hair loss over time. A purposive sample of ten women receiving alopecia-inducing chemotherapeutic agents at a metropolitan teaching hospital was used. Each woman was interviewed prior to hair loss, at the time of hair loss, and two-three months after initial hair loss. The specific research questions described the meanings of hair loss in the lives of women receiving alopecia-inducing agents. Supporting questions explored the status of hair loss among sources of cancer-related distress, the role of past experiences and expectations, and the role of other people and social demands on the experiences. Data analysis was based upon the words, metaphors, and language patterns used by participants in describing their feelings and experiences. Findings reflect the meaning and real substantive losses associated with both the threat and actual hair loss. Symptom responses are shaped by personal history, experiences as well as meanings of cancer images and one's hair. Analysis of the findings reflect three processes: affective anticipation rehearsal, confrontation of the hair losses, and management of the hair loss experience. The coping outcomes may be positive, regaining one's stride, or negative, not regaining one's stride. The findings are congruent with a number of theoretical frameworks, such as Lazarus, Benner, Mishel and Wright. The findings support both the significance of hair loss and its amenability to nursing treatment approaches. Nurses have the opportunity to explore the meanings of hair loss with an individual and to lessen the distress associated with the threat and actual impact of that experience.

<p> This project involved the development of a funding database and grant library for the organization Project Pink Ink. Interviews with stakeholders in the organization were conducted to garner information to inform grant selection as well as program need. Content analysis was applied to the transcripts of the interviews. The interviews suggest a great need for a complementary program for oncology patients. After all of the information garnered was synthesized, a grant application was completed and a grant was submitted to obtain funding for the Project Pink Ink organization.</p>

<p> During the past few decades, holistic education has increasingly emerged in academia. However, limited research has been conducted on how holistic education impacts instructional practices in real life situations like the well-being of cancer patients. The purpose of this qualitative study was to explore how a holistic education program impacts instructional practices designed to improve the well-being of cancer patients. The conceptual framework was based on transformative learning theory and learner-centered teaching. This single case study was conducted at a non-profit cancer center in the Western United States which emphasizes multiple dimensions of well-being for cancer patients, including holistic education. Participants included four instructors at the center. Data were collected from individual interviews with these instructors, reflective journals that they maintained, and documents and archival records related to the center and its education programs. Data analysis involved line-by-line coding and categorization to identify patterns and themes. Results revealed that holistic education improves the knowledge, comfort, self-efficacy, and empowerment of cancer patients. Results indicated that it would be useful to conduct more studies to explore the impact of holistic instructional practices on patients with cancer. This study contributes to social change by providing instructors and health professionals with a deeper understanding of holistic instruction and how it can be used to improve whole-person healing. </p><p>

<p> A qualitative case study was used to analyze the experiences of 11 young women, ages 18&ndash;35 years diagnosed with breast cancer genetic mutations, BRCA 1 or BRCA 2. The 11 participants did not have a history or current diagnosis of breast or ovarian cancer. There was limited information available within the literature regarding the experiences of young women who have been notified of BRCA 1 and 2 genetic mutations. It seemed vital to understand how women confronted with the difficult reality of their genetic status would like professionals such as psychologists, physicians, and genetic counselors to guide them through experiences of living with the BRCA1 and 2 genetic mutations. The combination of subjective truth, standpoint theory, and social constructivism does well to explain their living knowledge. Women&rsquo;s experiences described in this study suggested themes of taking action; making pragmatic adjustments; and emotional sub-themes including anxiety, empowerment, and advocacy. Professionals in the field of medicine, genetic counseling, and mental health counseling can benefit from this research. Individuals who are in the practice of medicine may find it helpful to be more aware of the emotions women experience regarding their results.</p><p>

Background: A range of factors contribute to men with cancer having worse mortality and morbidity rates than women. The research specifically focused on psychosocial issues and health behaviours in men with cancer, and factors affecting help seeking behaviour. Methods: A mixed-methods study recruited adult men with cancer in the East of Scotland. The quantitative cross-sectional study explored psychosocial issues, health behaviours, and desire for support. Data from the Scottish Longitudinal Study were accessed to check sample representativeness. The qualitative study built on the preliminary findings of the quantitative study and used semi-structured interviews to explore factors affecting men's access to support. Inductive thematic analysis was undertaken. Results: 127 men with cancer completed the questionnaire. Being separated or divorced, younger and living in a high deprivation area was associated with poor psychosocial outcomes and some lifestyle behaviours. Social support was also influential. Twenty participants were interviewed. Appraisal of, and coping with, cancer in addition to biopsychosocial antecedents, the role of masculinity, and service contexts impacted on help seeking. The findings support a modified model of the transactional model of stress and coping relevant to men with cancer, which is new and original since it specifically incorporates the role of masculinity, highlights feedback from coping to appraisal, and recognises important service context factors that impact men's service access choices. Discussion: Legitimisation of help seeking and the use of emotion-focused coping styles were needed by some men, particularly where ideas about masculinity played a strong role in men's appraisal of, and coping with cancer. Implications for practice and policy relate to the survivorship agenda given the ongoing support men with cancer may need. Related to this, there is a need to carefully tailor and advertise services to men, and for health professionals to help legitimise the use of certain coping strategies and services.