Objective: The impact of childhood cancer on future quality of life (QoL) in survivors is unclear. Current studies focus on comparing outcomes to healthy peers and identifying related treatment and demographic variables, but a shift in our approach is necessary. This study is guided by the Wilson and Cleary Model (WMC) and seeks to identify longitudinal predictors of QoL in adolescent survivors of cancer that explain variance in QoL beyond the impact of treatment and demographic variables. Methods: The Childhood Cancer Survivor Study (CCSS) is a multi-institutional longitudinal study following a cohort of childhood cancer survivors. This study focuses on the CCSS cohort (N = 305) who completed the baseline survey in 1994 and the Teen survey in 2001. The baseline survey assessed parent-report of child’s psychological and physical symptoms, functional status, and health perceptions. The Teen survey utilized the Child Health and Illness Profile – Adolescent Edition (CHIP-AE), a self-report measure assessing QoL in six domains: achievement, resilience, satisfaction, discomfort, disorders, and risk. The primary hypothesis was that psychological and physical symptoms, functional status impairment, and health perceptions as rated by parents at baseline would predict variance in quality of life as rated by adolescents at follow-up after adjusting for demographic and treatment-related variables. Six separate hierarchical regressions were analyzed for each of the QoL domains. Results: The main hypothesis was supported. For each QoL outcome, a significant amount of variance was predicted: achievement, F (6, 259) = 8.90, p < .001, adjusted R2 = .152, resilience, F (12, 209) = 3.47, p < .001, adjusted R2 = .118, satisfaction, F (6, 265) = 8.73, p < .001, adjusted R2 = .146, discomfort, F (7, 273) = 6.75, p < .001, adjusted R2 = .126, disorders, F (9, 212) = 6.47, p < .0001, adjusted R2 = .182, and risk, F (7, 238) = 4.81, p < .001, adjusted R2 = .098. Furthermore, for all outcomes, psychological and physical symptoms, functional status impairment, and health perceptions predicted variance above and beyond the impact of demographic and treatment variables. These factors accounted for an additional 9.5% of the variance in the achievement domain, 6.2% for resilience, 10.8% for satisfaction, 6.5% for discomfort, 12.4% for disorders, and 6.1% for risk. Conclusions: Results suggest that psychological and physical symptoms, functional status and health perceptions should be assessed and targeted in interventions for childhood cancer survivors to promote future positive QoL. Future studies need to continue identifying factors related to positive long-term functioning in diverse samples of childhood cancer survivors.

Eudaimonic psychological well-being (PWB) refers to a lifelong process of purposeful engagement in goal-driven tasks or activities resulting in positive psychological functioning. These activities reflect autonomy, purpose in life, self-acceptance, personal growth, positive relations with others, and environmental mastery. While more women are surviving breast cancer, they face a multitude of late and long term physiopsychosocial challenges that result from being diagnosed and treated. Protective health effects associated with the experience of PWB can potentially mitigate ill-being and benefit overall health of breast cancer survivors (BCS). Adequate preparation by healthcare teams to transition them from primary treatment to early survivorship is critical for the immediate and long term PWB of BCS. The purpose of this dissertation was to: 1) summarize current literature addressing PWB among BCS; 2) describe the helpfulness of information BCS satisfied and dissatisfied receive from their healthcare team to prepare to transition into life immediately after treatment; and 3) examine relationships between PWB and factors that negatively influence BCS’ ability to successfully transition to early survivorship Three manuscripts describe results of data analysis. From a literature review, factors that correlate with PWB among BCS were identified: coping, social support, self-esteem, post-traumatic growth, religious struggles and the impact of physical symptoms. Based on qualitative responses, BCS who are satisfied and dissatisfied with information received to prepare for transition into early survivorship emphasized the importance of receiving comprehensive information on: (1) what to expect physically and emotionally post-treatment, and (2) how their lives moving forward will be unlike their lives prior to being diagnosed. Among a convenience sample of 56 BCS, significant negative relationships between PWB and a) cancer problems frequently experienced by early survivors of breast cancer, b) psychological distress, and c) satisfaction with information received to transition from primary treatment into early survivorship was noted from a prospective, cross-sectional research design study. PWB is becoming increasingly important given that BCS live longer. Information learned from this dissertation can be used by healthcare teams to promote or maintain positive psychological functioning among these survivors, focusing initially on preparing them for life immediately after treatment.

No description available.

No description available.

O progresso no diagnóstico precoce do câncer e terapias, bem como longevidade e o crescimento populacional, remete no aumento do número de indivíduos sobreviventes do câncer em todos os países, e com ele surge uma nova nomenclatura, a da sobrevivência ao câncer (SC). Este estudo teve como objetivo geral, analisar o conceito da SC na literatura de saúde e entre adoecidos adultos e/ou idosos diagnosticados com a doença. Para alcançar este propósito elaboramos mais quatro objetivos específicos que nos fez organizar a tese em três grandes etapas. A primeira etapa tem como objetivo analisar o conceito da SC apresentado na literatura de saúde, segundo o modelo evolucionário de análise conceitual de Rodgers. Este modelo está disposto em seis etapas, preconizando a análise dos estudos levantados pela análise temática indutiva e interpretados segundo o referencial teórico do conceito de cultura. Como resultado obtivemos os componentes do conceito, que nos auxilia na compreensão do mesmo, são eles: antecedente - ser diagnosticado com câncer; consequente - qualidade de vida dos sobreviventes do câncer (StC) e crescimento pessoal; atributos - processo de liminaridade e cuidado culturalmente congruente; termos substitutos - StC, sobrevivência em longo prazo e aquele que está vivendo após o diagnóstico do câncer, e por último os termos relacionados - sobrevida e reabilitação do câncer. Para a segunda etapa dessa pesquisa o propósito foi apreender os sentidos atribuídos a ser StC entre adoecidos, assim como, descrever os sentidos atribuídos ao conceito da SC entre adoecidos adultos e idosos por meio de sínteses narrativas. Desse modo, construímos um estudo qualitativo, com método narrativo e com referencial da antropologia médica. Realizamos entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 14 participantes diagnosticados com os diferentes tipos de câncer urológico de ambos os sexos, adultos e idosos, com no mínimo três meses pós-tratamento. Após transcrição dos dados, os mesmos foram analisados segundo a análise temática indutiva e duas sínteses narrativas foram elaboradas, a primeira delas é as dualidades da vida após o tratamento: da perda do autocontrole, da incerteza da recorrência da doença ao otimismo e esperança. Nessa síntese, discutimos acerca da experiência do sobrevivente com a doença, a perda de controle que a doença desencadeia e o consequente crescimento pessoal e aquisição do otimismo apesar das circunstâncias vividas. A segunda síntese é intitulada, o que eu sou? Sou um sobrevivente do câncer? Autorreflexão da identidade após o tratamento primário do câncer. Nela apreendemos a reflexão dos participantes sobre como se enxergam e veem a si mesmo e atribuem sentidos a ser ou estar doente, curado, vítima e principalmente StC. Com essas duas sínteses narrativas conseguimos descrever e nos aproximar dos sentidos atribuídos a SC. A terceira etapa foi desenvolvida em três tópicos, o primeiro consiste na comparação dos resultados da etapa um com a etapa dois, complementando com a importância da enfermagem oncológica no cuidado aos StC e uma reflexão sobre as políticas de saúde públicas atuais. Essa tese atualiza o conceito da SC e traz novas perspectivas sobre ele, contribuindo para a enfermagem oncológica / The progress in the early diagnosis of cancer and therapies, as well as the longevity and population growth remit to an increased number of cancer survivors around the world, giving rise to a new term, that of cancer survivorship (CS). The general objective in this study was to analyze the concept of CS in the health literature and among adult and/or elderly patients diagnosed with the disease. To achieve this objective, we elaborated four specific objectives, which made us organize the dissertation in three main phases. The objective of the first phase is to analyze the concept of CS presented in the health literature, according to Rodgers\' evolutionary model of concept analysis. This model is arranged in six steps, recommending the analysis of the studies surveyed by means of inductive thematic analysis and their interpretation according to the theoretical framework of the culture concept. As a result, we obtained the components of the concept, which help us understand it. These are: antecedent - being diagnosed with cancer; consequent - quality of life of cancer survivors (StC) and personal growth; attributes - liminality process and culturally congruent care; substitute terms - StC, long-term survival and individuals living after the cancer diagnosis, and finally the related terms - cancer survival and rehabilitation. For the second phase, the purpose was to apprehend the meanings attributed to being StC among the patients, as well as to describe the meanings adult and elderly patients attribute to the CS concept through narrative syntheses. Thus, we built a qualitative study, using the narrative method and the reference framework of medical anthropology. We held semistructured interviews with 14 participants diagnosed with different types of urological cancer, male and female, adult and elderly, with at least three months post-treatment. After transcribing the data, they were analyzed according to inductive thematic analysis and two narrative syntheses were elaborated, the first being the dualities of life after the treatment; from loss of self-control, the uncertainty of the disease relapse to optimism and hope. In this synthesis, we discuss the survivor\'s experience with the disease, the loss of control the disease triggers and the consequent personal growth and gaining of optimism despite the circumstances experienced. The second synthesis is entitled: Who am I? Am I a cancer survivor? Self-reflection on the identity after the primary cancer treatment. In this synthesis, we apprehend the participants\' reflection on how they see themselves and attribute meanings to being ill, cured, victim and mainly StC. These two narrative syntheses allowed us to describe and get closer to the meanings attributed to CS. The third phase was developed in three topics, the first being the comparison between the results of phase one and phase two, complemented with the importance of oncology nursing in care for StC and a reflection on the current public health policies. This dissertation updates the concept of CS and offers new perspectives, contributing to oncology nursing

O progresso no diagnóstico precoce do câncer e terapias, bem como longevidade e o crescimento populacional, remete no aumento do número de indivíduos sobreviventes do câncer em todos os países, e com ele surge uma nova nomenclatura, a da sobrevivência ao câncer (SC). Este estudo teve como objetivo geral, analisar o conceito da SC na literatura de saúde e entre adoecidos adultos e/ou idosos diagnosticados com a doença. Para alcançar este propósito elaboramos mais quatro objetivos específicos que nos fez organizar a tese em três grandes etapas. A primeira etapa tem como objetivo analisar o conceito da SC apresentado na literatura de saúde, segundo o modelo evolucionário de análise conceitual de Rodgers. Este modelo está disposto em seis etapas, preconizando a análise dos estudos levantados pela análise temática indutiva e interpretados segundo o referencial teórico do conceito de cultura. Como resultado obtivemos os componentes do conceito, que nos auxilia na compreensão do mesmo, são eles: antecedente - ser diagnosticado com câncer; consequente - qualidade de vida dos sobreviventes do câncer (StC) e crescimento pessoal; atributos - processo de liminaridade e cuidado culturalmente congruente; termos substitutos - StC, sobrevivência em longo prazo e aquele que está vivendo após o diagnóstico do câncer, e por último os termos relacionados - sobrevida e reabilitação do câncer. Para a segunda etapa dessa pesquisa o propósito foi apreender os sentidos atribuídos a ser StC entre adoecidos, assim como, descrever os sentidos atribuídos ao conceito da SC entre adoecidos adultos e idosos por meio de sínteses narrativas. Desse modo, construímos um estudo qualitativo, com método narrativo e com referencial da antropologia médica. Realizamos entrevistas semi-estruturadas com 14 participantes diagnosticados com os diferentes tipos de câncer urológico de ambos os sexos, adultos e idosos, com no mínimo três meses pós-tratamento. Após transcrição dos dados, os mesmos foram analisados segundo a análise temática indutiva e duas sínteses narrativas foram elaboradas, a primeira delas é as dualidades da vida após o tratamento: da perda do autocontrole, da incerteza da recorrência da doença ao otimismo e esperança. Nessa síntese, discutimos acerca da experiência do sobrevivente com a doença, a perda de controle que a doença desencadeia e o consequente crescimento pessoal e aquisição do otimismo apesar das circunstâncias vividas. A segunda síntese é intitulada, o que eu sou? Sou um sobrevivente do câncer? Autorreflexão da identidade após o tratamento primário do câncer. Nela apreendemos a reflexão dos participantes sobre como se enxergam e veem a si mesmo e atribuem sentidos a ser ou estar doente, curado, vítima e principalmente StC. Com essas duas sínteses narrativas conseguimos descrever e nos aproximar dos sentidos atribuídos a SC. A terceira etapa foi desenvolvida em três tópicos, o primeiro consiste na comparação dos resultados da etapa um com a etapa dois, complementando com a importância da enfermagem oncológica no cuidado aos StC e uma reflexão sobre as políticas de saúde públicas atuais. Essa tese atualiza o conceito da SC e traz novas perspectivas sobre ele, contribuindo para a enfermagem oncológica / The progress in the early diagnosis of cancer and therapies, as well as the longevity and population growth remit to an increased number of cancer survivors around the world, giving rise to a new term, that of cancer survivorship (CS). The general objective in this study was to analyze the concept of CS in the health literature and among adult and/or elderly patients diagnosed with the disease. To achieve this objective, we elaborated four specific objectives, which made us organize the dissertation in three main phases. The objective of the first phase is to analyze the concept of CS presented in the health literature, according to Rodgers\' evolutionary model of concept analysis. This model is arranged in six steps, recommending the analysis of the studies surveyed by means of inductive thematic analysis and their interpretation according to the theoretical framework of the culture concept. As a result, we obtained the components of the concept, which help us understand it. These are: antecedent - being diagnosed with cancer; consequent - quality of life of cancer survivors (StC) and personal growth; attributes - liminality process and culturally congruent care; substitute terms - StC, long-term survival and individuals living after the cancer diagnosis, and finally the related terms - cancer survival and rehabilitation. For the second phase, the purpose was to apprehend the meanings attributed to being StC among the patients, as well as to describe the meanings adult and elderly patients attribute to the CS concept through narrative syntheses. Thus, we built a qualitative study, using the narrative method and the reference framework of medical anthropology. We held semistructured interviews with 14 participants diagnosed with different types of urological cancer, male and female, adult and elderly, with at least three months post-treatment. After transcribing the data, they were analyzed according to inductive thematic analysis and two narrative syntheses were elaborated, the first being the dualities of life after the treatment; from loss of self-control, the uncertainty of the disease relapse to optimism and hope. In this synthesis, we discuss the survivor\'s experience with the disease, the loss of control the disease triggers and the consequent personal growth and gaining of optimism despite the circumstances experienced. The second synthesis is entitled: Who am I? Am I a cancer survivor? Self-reflection on the identity after the primary cancer treatment. In this synthesis, we apprehend the participants\' reflection on how they see themselves and attribute meanings to being ill, cured, victim and mainly StC. These two narrative syntheses allowed us to describe and get closer to the meanings attributed to CS. The third phase was developed in three topics, the first being the comparison between the results of phase one and phase two, complemented with the importance of oncology nursing in care for StC and a reflection on the current public health policies. This dissertation updates the concept of CS and offers new perspectives, contributing to oncology nursing

No description available.

No description available.

No description available.

This study explored the lived experiences of breast cancer survivors and their intimate partners. The research was informed by a social constructionist framework and phenomenological method of inquiry. While the body of literature on the physical, psychological, and social health of breast cancer survivors is growing, only a few studies have focused solely on the lived experience of survivorship and the uncertainty of recurrence. This study sought to explore the construction of meaning in the couples' context and experiences of surviving breast cancer. The present study examined how breast cancer survivors make meaning of their survivorship in context of living with the fear of recurrence. The researcher investigated the patients' and their intimate partners' experiences of survivorship to gain a better understanding of how their lived experiences affect their relationships to themselves and their significant other and how they cope with the uncertainty of recurrence. The study provided clinical implications for medical family therapists working with breast cancer survivors for couples managing the challenges with survivorship and uncertainty.