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Background: Initiating treatment within the optimal time is critical for women with breast cancer. A delay in cancer treatment initiation can result in increased morbidity and mortality and decreased overall survival. Objective: This systematic review aims to investigate the literature for the factors and beliefs affecting women diagnosed with breast cancer with regard to initiating cancer treatment. Methods: The PubMed, CINAHL, and PsycINFO databases were searched using the terms of breast cancer, initiating or seeking treatment, and beliefs. The Johns Hopkins Evidence-Based Practice Research Evidence Appraisal Tool was used to evaluate the included articles. Results: Sixteen articles were included in this review. The addressed factors were classified as (1) patient-related factors, (2) disease-related factors, (3) provider-related factors, and (4) system-related factors. The identified beliefs were cultural beliefs and perceived barriers to initiating treatment. Conclusion: Although the literature reported multiple factors and beliefs that impact the time of initiating treatment among women with breast cancer, more research is needed to fully understand the beliefs influencing treatment initiation. It is essential to address and screen the factors and beliefs identified for women diagnosed with breast cancer to enhance treatment initiation early and prevent any possible delay. Interventions can be developed to overcome the factors and beliefs that may lead to late treatment initiation. Advocacy for new policies should be in action to reduce the disparities associated with treatment initiation among women with breast cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Patient-family member dyads experience transitions through illness as an interdependent team. This study measures the association of depression, anxiety, and health-related quality of life (HRQOL) of older adult primary care patient-family member dyads. Baseline data from 1,808 patient-family member dyads enrolled in a trial testing early detection of Alzheimer's disease and related dementias in primary care. Actor-Partner Independence Model was used to analyze dyadic relationships between patients' and family members' depression (PHQ-9), anxiety (GAD-7), and HRQOL (SF-36 Physical Component Summary score and Mental Component Summary score). Family member mean (SD) age is 64.2 (13) years; 32.2% male; 84.6% White; and 64.8% being the patient's spouse/partner. Patient mean (SD) age is 73.7 (5.7) years; 47% male; and 85.1% White. For HRQOL, there were significant actor effects for patient and family member depression alone and depression and anxiety together on their own HRQOL (p < 0.001). There were significant partner effects where family member depression combined with anxiety was associated with the patient's physical component summary score of the SF-36 (p = 0.010), and where the family member's anxiety alone was associated with the patient's mental component summary score of the SF-36 (p = 0.031). Results from this study reveal that many dyads experience covarying health status (e.g. depression, anxiety) even prior to entering a caregiving situation. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Midlife Black women suffer disproportionately from cardiovascular disease and are 65% more likely to die following a cardiac event compared with White women. Recruitment and retention of midlife Black women in clinical trials has been historically low. The culturally tailored Midlife Black Women's Stress Reduction and Wellness (B-SWELL) intervention was codeveloped with the community and designed to lower cardiovascular disease risk in midlife Black women. Objectives: We sought to assess participant satisfaction in the randomized feasibility trial of the B-SWELL intervention. Methods: A feasibility trial comparing the B-SWELL to a wellness intervention was conducted in the winter and spring of 2021 in compliance with pandemic research protocols. An adapted survey tool was used to rate satisfaction with the intervention and its technology using a Likert-type scale (1 [strongly disagree] to 5 [strongly agree]). Survey subscales assessed usefulness, ease, and acceptability of the intervention(s). Results: Randomization yielded no statistical demographic differences (N = 48). Satisfaction for the interventions was high in both the B-SWELL and Wellness intervention groups with mean scores of 4.57 and 4.56, respectively. Mean scores for technology were 4.49 for the B-SWELL and 4.47 for the Wellness group. Subscales were also rated highly. Narrative responses were positively aligned with satisfaction scores. Conclusions: Results support use of cultural adaptation and community participatory methods to develop and deliver interventions targeted to at-risk populations. Culturally adapted interventions designed in collaboration with the community have greater authenticity, increasing the potential for higher recruitment, retention, and participant satisfaction of underrepresented populations. The trial is registered in ClinicalTrials.gov (NCT 04404478). [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Midlife Black women (ages 45-64) suffer disproportionately from cardiovascular disease, yet there remains a paucity of programs tailored to this at-risk subpopulation. The Midlife Black Women's Stress and Wellness (B-SWELL) program was codeveloped with community representatives to provide culturally tailored materials and content designed to increase adoption of healthier lifestyle behaviors and improve cardiovascular health. Few reports highlight the methods used to monitor fidelity in community participatory research., Objective: The objective of this report is to describe approaches used to ensure fidelity in the B-SWELL feasibility trial., Methods: A virtual randomized feasibility trial was conducted. Intervention fidelity was evaluated in accordance with Borrelli's five principles of fidelity: design, training, delivery, receipt, and enactment. In addition to rigorous oversight by the research team, tools were developed or adapted for the virtual trial. Tools used in the trial included a Visual Analog Attendee-Engagement Tool, weekly feedback surveys, audio recordings, a facilitator's checklist, an overall satisfaction survey, and a technology survey., Results: Using Borrelli's framework for treatment fidelity, the researchers noted high ratings from the overall satisfaction survey, designed to assess ongoing participant satisfaction with the intervention materials and continued enactment. The tools successfully guided the intervention process from design to enactment., Discussion: Adherence to Borrelli's principles of fidelity enables rigorous oversight of an intervention and its delivery. The growing use of technology to deliver programmed interventions requires that tools be adapted and created to monitor fidelity. Validation of the research-developed and adapted tools is recommended in a larger trial., Competing Interests: The authors have no conflicts of interest to report., (Copyright © 2024 Wolters Kluwer Health, Inc. All rights reserved.)