Transitoriness in cancer patients: a cross-sectional survey of lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients

Objective: Despite earlier diagnosis and advancements in treatment, cancer remains a leading cause of death in the world (13% of all deaths according to the World Health Organization) among men and women. Cancer accounts for approximately 20% of the deaths in the USA every year. Here, we report the findings from a cross-sectional survey of psychosocial factors in lung and gastrointestinal cancer patients. The aim of the study was to explore the associations among transitoriness, uncertainty, and locus of control (LOC) with quality of life. Transitoriness is defined as a person's confrontation with life's finitude due to a cancer diagnosis. Methods: A total of 126 patients with lung or gastrointestinal cancer completed eight self-reporting questionnaires addressing demographics, spiritual perspective, symptom burden, transitoriness, uncertainty, LOC, and quality of life. Results: Transitoriness, uncertainty, and LOC were significantly associated with one another (r = 0.3267, p = 0.0002/r = 0.1994, p = 0.0252, respectively). LOC/belief in chance has a significant inverse relationship with patients' quality of life (r = −0.2505, p = 0.0047). Transitoriness, uncertainty, and LOC were found to have a significant inverse relationship with patients' quality of life (transitoriness state: r = −0.5363, p = 0.0000/trait: r = −0.4629, p = 0.0000/uncertainty: r = −0.4929, p = 0.0000/internal LOC: r = 0.1759, p = 0.0489/chance LOC: r = −0.2505, p = 0.0047). Conclusion: Transitoriness, uncertainty, and LOC are important concepts as they adversely influence patients' quality of life. Incorporating this finding into the care of cancer patients may provide them with the support they need to cope with treatment and maintenance of a positive quality of lif

Transitoriness in cancer patients [Poster]

Problem and Purpose: Being diagnosed with cancer engenders a confrontation with the finitude of life (transitoriness), uncertainty and changes in locus of control. Transitoriness can be defined as a person’s confrontation with the finitude of human existence brought about by a terminal cancer diagnosis. It adversely influences patients’quality of life. Uncertainty negatively impacts quality of life; locus of control influences one’s level of anxiety and depression. A cancer diagnosis results in difficulty in envisioning a future after the cancer diagnosis, and influences subsequent ways of coping with the disease. Since the relationships between these concepts have only been studied in part, a cross-sectional survey was conducted in patients with gastrointestinal (GI) and lung cancer. Significance: Investigating these associations in cancer patients will enhance understanding of their coping. A targeted intervention to better support GI and lung cancer patients in their experience of transitoriness can then be developed. Methods and Analysis: With approval of the Institutional Review Board of a large teaching facility in the United States, a total of 126 patients with GI and lung cancer were enrolled. Demographic data, including information about symptoms and their spiritual perspective were obtained and patients completed five questionnaires assessing the levels of transitoriness, uncertainty, locus of control, and quality of life. Descriptive and correlation analyses were conducted using SPSS 9 and Stata Intercooled 9. Findings and Implications: Overall, the quality of life of the 126 patients was slightly lower than medium (Mean µ=41.56, Stan. Dev. sd=9.08) with medium levels of transitoriness (µ=75.65, sd=13.40), uncertainty (µ=87.31, sd=10.41), and locus of control (µ=17.09, sd=6.68). Significant inverse associations were found between uncertainty (r=-0.493, p=0.000), transitoriness (r=-0.536, p=0.000 for state; and r=-0.463, p=0.000 for trait), locus of control (r=-0251, p=0.005 for Form B; and r=0.182, p=0.042 for Form C) and quality of life. No differences were found across patients with differing types of cancer. Therefore, transitoriness, uncertainty, and locus of control are key issues to be considered in the care of GI and lung cancer patients

NCCN Guidelines Insights: Colon Cancer, Version 2.2018

The NCCN Guidelines for Colon Cancer provide recommendations regarding diagnosis, pathologic staging, surgical management, perioperative treatment, surveillance, management of recurrent and metastatic disease, and survivorship. These NCCN Guidelines Insights summarize the NCCN Colon Cancer Panel discussions for the 2018 update of the guidelines regarding risk stratification and adjuvant treatment for patients with stage III colon cancer, and treatment of BRAF V600E mutation-positive metastatic colorectal cancer with regimens containing vemurafenib