Two years after cancer diagnosis, which couples become closer?

International audienceTwo years after cancer diagnosis, which couples become closer? The aim of this study was to determine characteristics of patients who reported a strengthening of their couple relationship 2 years after cancer diagnosis. Using a cross-sectional design, data were obtained from a representative sample of patients with a primary diagnosis of cancer. Medical and reported data were collected by physicians and a patient telephone interview respectively. Among the 3221 participants who were living with the same partner as at the time of their cancer diagnosis, 32.8% of men and 41.5% of women declared their illness had brought them closer to their partner. The following factors were independently associated with closer couple relationships for women: high monthly monetary resources, chemotherapy treatment, sequelae, increased consumption of psychotropic drugs since cancer diagnosis, satisfaction with information provided by medical staff, specialised psychological support at the time of diagnosis and regular sexual activity. Independently associated factors for men were as follows: younger age, financial difficulties since diagnosis, cancer other than gastrointestinal tract/upper GI tract or lung cancer, progressive disease, satisfaction with information provided by medical staff and specialised psychological support at the time of diagnosis. Our findings underline the importance for healthcare workers to provide adequate information and psychological support in order to help couples facing cancer. Comprehensive care and not simply supplying medicines is crucial in order to better manage their experience

Does cancer survivos' health related quality of life depend on cancer type ? Findings from a large French national sample 2 years after cancer diagnosis

International audienc

Vulnerability, unsafe sex and non-adherence to HAART: Evidence from a large sample of French HIV/AIDS outpatients

Current socio-behavioural research in HIV-infected people has tried to identify patients with "high-risk" profiles, i.e. who simultaneously exhibit non-adherence to highly active anti-retroviral therapy (HAART) and unsafe sex with serodiscordant partners. We challenged this approach by investigating the correlates of both behaviours, for homosexual men, heterosexual men and heterosexual women separately, among a representative sample of 4963 HIV-infected people in France. Variables introduced in the analysis dealt with patients' background and daily life, with a focus on situations of economic, social and personal vulnerability. Overall, 2932 patients agreed to participate, and 1809 were both receiving HAART and sexually active. Among heterosexual women, non-adherence and unsafe sex appeared as joint outcomes of similar situations of vulnerability. Among heterosexual men, these behaviours were weakly correlated and shared some predictors related to situations of vulnerability. Among homosexual men, non-adherence and unsafe sex were not correlated and had distinct determinants. Situations of vulnerability, the context and the motives of unsafe sex, as well as factors associated with non-adherence and unsafe sex varied greatly with gender and sexual preference. Theoretical models used for designing behavioural interventions should take into account this diversity.HIV/AIDS HAART Adherence Unsafe sex France

Sexual health at 5 years after diagnosis of head and neck cancer

International audiencePurpose: Sexual health (SH) is an emerging concern in the assessment of quality of life in patients surviving head and neck cancer (HNC). Using data from the French National Prospective VICAN Survey, this study aimed to assess SH deterioration five years after HNC diagnosis and related factors.Methods: Using univariate and multivariate analyses were performed in the 241 HNC survivors. We studied the factors associated between the sexuality and intimate life of these patients with demographic and medical data from the national epidemiological survey VICAN 5.Results: Sexuality and body image were altered in 78.8% for men and 79.2% for women. This alteration in sexual quality of life affects both men and women. Dissatisfaction with the frequency of sexual intercourse was associated with being treated with radiotherapy (p=0.024), as well as decrease of sexual desire in patients treated with chemotherapy (p=0.044). Fatigue (p=0.002), impaired physical health (p=0.049), and high disease stage (p=0.001) remained significantly associated, after multivariate analysis, with decreased sexual desire. Among these 3 factors negatively influencing sexual quality of life, two are treatable with appropriate management.Conclusion: Five years after the diagnosis of HNC, a decrease in sexuality and body image are frequent and significantly impact the quality of life of survivors. These observations imply an adaptation of the management of the professionals involved

The labour market, psychosocial outcomes and health conditions in cancer survivors : protocol for a nationwide longitudinal survey 2 and 5 years after cancer diagnosis (the VICAN survey)

Introduction :Today, a growing need exists for greater research into cancer survivorship, focusing on different spheres of the day-to-day life of diagnosed patients. This article describes the design and implementation of VICAN (VIe après le CANcer), a national survey on French cancer survivors. Method and analysis : The target population included patients aged 18–82, diagnosed with cancer between January and June 2010, and registered in one of the three main French Health Insurance Schemes. It was restricted to 12 tumour sites. Sampling was stratified using a non-proportional allocation, based on age at diagnosis (18–52 and 53–82) and tumour site. Data were collected from telephone interviews with patients 2 and 5 years after diagnosis, a medical survey completed by the physician who initiated cancer treatment, and information from the national medicoadministrative database on reimbursement data and hospital discharge records. First data collection, 2 years after diagnosis, occurred between March and December 2012. Second data collection, 5 years after diagnosis, will be conducted in 2015. Analyses will be conducted on various outcomes: quality of life, health status and psychosocial conditions, with a particular focus on the impact of cancer diagnosis on the labour market. The variety of measurements included in the survey will enable us to control a wide range of factors

Validation of a scale for assessing attitudes towards outcomes of genetic cancer testing among primary care providers and breast specialists

Hereditary cancer genetic