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Objective: This study aimed to investigate COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, acceptance, and unmet informational needs in a cancer population during the first phase of the coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) vaccination rollout in Australia. Methods: A cross-sectional survey was conducted in a large tertiary hospital in Queensland, Australia, between 10 May and 31 July 2021. The survey assessed health beliefs, experiences of the COVID-19 pandemic, COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy and informational needs. Results: COVID-19 was perceived to be a significant threat to both physical and mental health. While 57.9% (n = 110) of respondents believed the COVID-19 vaccines were safe and 64.2% (n = 122) believed they were effective, more than half (52.6%; n = 100) agreed that they worried about vaccine side effects. Most respondents (84.2%; n = 160) planned to receive the COVID-19 vaccine; however, feelings of hesitancy remained. There was a statistically significant association between those aged under 60 years (P = 0.003), those with previous vaccine hesitancy (P = 0.000), those who felt they had not received adequate information (P = 0.000) and vaccine hesitancy. Requested information pertained to interactions with cancer treatments, those with a history of blood clotting and information for those undergoing bone marrow transplantation. Conclusions: There is a need for tailored COVID-19 vaccine communication that is responsive to the concerns of people with cancer. This will be beneficial during current and future vaccination rollouts. What is known about topic? People with cancer are a COVID-19 vaccine priority group, as they are at increased risk of morbidity and mortality from this disease. There is currently a dearth of information regarding COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, acceptance, or informational needs for this population. What does this paper add? This paper has shown that although vaccine refusal rates were low in this population, feelings of hesitancy remained. Women, those in younger age categories, those with previous vaccine hesitancy and those who felt they had not received adequate information had stronger vaccine hesitancy and higher refusal rates. What are the implications for practitioners? There is a need for tailored information and open communication regarding COVID-19 vaccines and people with cancer. There is an opportunity to build upon established relationships of trust between cancer patients and their clinicians. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

A correction is presented to the article correcting errors in a previously published study titled "COVID-19 vaccine hesitancy, acceptance and informational needs in an Australian cancer population: a cross-sectional survey."

Introduction Timely identification and referral of individuals with unmet supportive care needs can improve quality of life and reduce the adverse effects of cancer and treatment. To improve access to information and support services, Cancer Council NSW established the Cancer Council Liaison (CCL) service. CCLs are based in treatment facilities and work alongside treatment team to support people affected by cancer. Objectives/Aims The aim of the study was to assess the quality of clients' experiences with the CCL service and explore perceptions of the service among healthcare professionals (HCPs). Description/Methodology The findings presented are part of a broader mixed method evaluation of the service. Electronic and paper based anonymous surveys were completed by clients following interaction with CCLs from three treatment centres. Quantitative data were analysed descriptively, free-text comments were coded and analysed qualitatively. Semi-structured interviews were undertaken with HCPs from four treatment centres with CCLs. Interview transcripts were transcribed, coded and analysed thematically using NVivo. Results/Outcomes In all 47 clients completed surveys. A majority; (94%); reported increased awareness of support available and how to access it, 91% reported decreased stress and 83% reported their individual needs were met. Respondents reported a mean rating of 4.9 out of 5 stars regarding their experience with the CCL. HCPs (n=20) reported improved access to supportive care for patients and families, timely detection of unmet needs and increased HCPs awareness of available support services. HCPs viewed the service as unique, innovative and an "extended part of the cancer care team". All participants stated they would recommend the CCL role to other cancer centres. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Increasingly, people live longer with advanced cancer, despite having no prospect of full recovery. Ongoing survival is owed to early detection and effective disease management, yet experienced as highly precarious. In this article we explore how cancer chronicity brings into effect a pre-occupation with time, what time is to people with advanced cancer, and what socio-cultural norms inflect everyday practices. We analyse 20 interviews conducted in Queensland, Australia with 11 participants with advanced cancer, to trace the intersections of what time means, what people do with time, and what time feels like. Drawing on scholarship on the moralities around ill health, we discuss how awareness of time emerges in cancer chronicity and raises moral questions on how to live well. Here, imperatives of optimisation (urging people with advanced cancer to make the most of limited time) intersect with imperatives of authenticity (marked by emphasis on how to live one's own best life). These dynamics reveal expressions of living with advanced cancer in morally viable ways. Such ontological processes have implications for the lived experience of people with advanced cancer, their families and oncological care. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Introduction: Occupational therapists have a key role in supporting people experiencing cancer and its consequences. A complex skill mix is required to fulfil this role, creating a training need for occupational therapists. Method: This study retrospectively examined the evolution and sustainability of the cancer occupational therapy interest group, a cancer educational resource for occupational therapists within public health facilities in Queensland, Australia. Development of the programme was reviewed and data were analysed to examine involvement in the programme and confidence in providing cancer services. Results: Membership of the interest group, participating locations and videoconference attendances all increased across the study period from 2012–2016. The practice areas participants most frequently reported confidence addressing were fatigue management and palliative care. Participants most frequently reported they were not confident addressing sexuality and relaxation management. Conclusion: The cancer occupational therapy interest group provides an approach that demonstrates some utility with providing education and information for occupational therapists in cancer services. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Medical out-of-pocket costs paid by patients can be problematic when it adversely affects access to care. Survey research involving patients with out-of-pocket expenses may have selection biases, so accurate estimates are unknown. During 2010–11, 419 participants from the QSkin Sun and Health Study (n = 43 794) had a confirmed diagnosis of either melanoma, prostate, breast, colorectal or lung cancer. These were matched to a general population group (n = 421) and a group of high users of GP services (n = 419). Medical fees charged and out-of-pocket medical expenses for Medicare services were analysed. Over 2 years, three-quarters of individuals with cancer paid up-front provider fees of up to A$20 551 compared with A$10 995 for the high GP user group and A$6394 for the general population group. Out-of-pocket expenses were significantly higher for those with cancer (mean A$3514) compared with the high GP-user group (mean A$1837) and general population group (A$1245). Highest expenses were for therapeutic procedures (mean A$2062). Older individuals, those with poor perceived health or private health insurance had the highest costs. Regardless of private insurance status, patients with one of the main five cancers pay significantly higher out-of-pocket costs for health care compared with those without cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

To measure the prevalence and severity of Generalised Anxiety Disorder ( GAD), hypo- and hypercortisolaemia, and their association in a sample of prostate cancer ( PCa) patients, 97 Australian PCa patients completed a background questionnaire and the GAD-7, and provided a sample of saliva collected 30-45 min after waking. The mean GAD7 score was 9.67 ( SD = 3.09), and prevalence rates for current anxiety were higher than those reported for non- PCa males of a similar age. Mean salivary cortisol concentrations (30.78 nmol/L, SD = 13.97 nmol/L) were also higher than for age-comparative non- PCa men. There was a significant inverse correlation between GAD and cortisol ( r = −. 209, p < .05), and four subgroups of GAD-cortisol patients were able to be identified, with evidence of both hyper- and hypocortisolaemia. These findings provide initial neurobiological evidence of the chronic and profound nature of stress experienced by PCa patients, and also suggest a possible measure that might be used to identify most at-risk PCa patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose. Head and neck cancer (HNC) survivors may experience functional changes to their voice, speech and hearing following curative chemoradiotherapy. However, few studies have explored the impact of living with such changes from the perspective of the HNC survivor and their carer. The current study employed a person-centred approach to explore the lived experience of communication changes following chemoradiotherapy treatment for HNC from the perspective of survivors and carers. Method. Participants included 14 survivors with non-glottic HNC and nine carers. All participants took part in in-depth interviews where they were encouraged to describe their experiences of living with and adjusting to communication changes following treatment. Interviews were analysed as a single data set. Result. Four themes emerged including: (1) impairments in communication sub-systems; (2) the challenges of communicating in everyday life; (3) broad ranging effects of communication changes; and (4) adaptations as a result of communication changes. Conclusion. These data confirm that communication changes following chemoradiotherapy have potentially negative psychosocial impacts on both the HNC survivor and their carer. Clinicians should consider the impact of communication changes on the life of the HNC survivor and their carer and provide adequate and timely education and management to address the needs of this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]