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INTRODUCTION Advances in cancer treatment over the last decade have led to increased survival rates. As a result, survivors are living longer with and beyond cancer, often with greater levels of morbidity. Occupational therapists, with their focus on remedial and compensatory strategies to improve function and participation, are well suited to assess and intervene with this population. Despite this, little research exists to demonstrate the efficacy of interventions and value of the occupational therapy role. This systematic review aimed to review how and when occupational therapists provide services for adult patients with cancer and identify where they add the most value. METHODS A systematic search was conducted of six electronic databases. Eligible studies reported on occupational therapy interventions targeting management of cancer symptoms, rehabilitation or environmental modifications for adult cancer patients discharged from acute hospital services. Data extraction and quality assessment were undertaken by two reviewers. Narrative synthesis summarised the attributes and treatment outcomes of each intervention. RESULTS Nine articles were included from a total of 309 articles retrieved. Eight different interventions were reported for people with cancer (n = 531). Small sample sizes and methodological quality precluded any formal analysis; however, intervention components that showed positive results were person-centred, individualised and included regular monitoring and flexibility in care, with input from multidisciplinary health professionals. Therapists also need to reflect upon the optimal duration of interventions and selection of outcome measures that specifically match intervention components. CONCLUSION Despite inconclusive support of any particular type of intervention, this systematic review identified several successful intervention components for occupational therapists working with people with or beyond cancer. Overall, findings suggest that monitored tailored programmes compensating for fluctuations in a patient's condition have efficacy to improve patient outcomes and should be considered when delivering intervention with patients post hospital discharge.

Survivors of childhood cancer may be at risk of experiencing pain, and a systematic review would advance our understanding of pain in this population. The objective of this study was to describe: 1) the prevalence of pain in survivors of childhood cancer, 2) methods of pain measurement, 3) associations between pain and biopsychosocial factors, and 4) recommendations for future research. Data sources for the study were articles published from January 1990 to August 2019 identified in the PubMed, PsycINFO, EMBASE, and Web of Science data bases. Eligible studies included: 1) original research, 2) quantitative assessments of pain, 3) articles published in English, 4) cancers diagnosed between birth and age 21 years, 5) survivors at 5 years from diagnosis and/or at 2 years after therapy completion, and 6) a sample size >20. Seventy-three articles were included in the final review. Risk of bias was considered using the Cochrane risk of bias tool. The quality of evidence was evaluated according to Grading of Recommendations Assessment Development and Evaluation (GRADE) criteria. Common measures of pain were items created by the authors for the purpose of the study (45.2%) or health-related quality-of-life/health status questionnaires (42.5%). Pain was present in from 4.3% to 75% of survivors across studies. Three studies investigated chronic pain according the definition in the International Classification of Diseases. The findings indicated that survivors of childhood cancer are at higher risk of experiencing pain compared with controls. Fatigue was consistently associated with pain, females reported more pain than males, and other factors related to pain will require stronger evidence. Theoretically grounded, multidimensional measurements of pain are absent from the literature.

Purpose: A clinical hurdle for dermatopathology is the accurate diagnosis of melanocytic neoplasms. While histopathologic assessment is frequently sufficient, high rates of diagnostic discordance are reported. The development and validation of a 35-gene expression profile (35-GEP) test that accurately differentiates benign and malignant pigmented lesions is described. Methods: Lesion samples were reviewed by at least three independent dermatopathologists and included in the study if 2/3 or 3/3 diagnoses were concordant. Diagnostic utility of 76 genes was assessed with quantitative RT-PCR; neural network modeling and cross-validation were utilized for diagnostic gene selection using 200 benign nevi and 216 melanomas for training. To reflect the complex biology of melanocytic neoplasia, the 35-GEP test was developed to include an intermediate-risk zone. Results: Validation of the 35-GEP was performed in an independent set of 273 benign and 230 malignant lesions. The test demonstrated 99.1% sensitivity, 94.3% specificity, 93.6% positive predictive value and 99.2% negative predictive value. 96.4% of cases received a differential result and 3.6% had intermediate-risk. Conclusions: The 35-GEP test was developed to refine diagnoses of melanocytic neoplasms by providing clinicians with an objective tool. A test with these accuracy metrics could alleviate uncertainty in difficult-to-diagnose lesions leading to decreased unnecessary procedures while appropriately identifying at-risk patients.

Purpose: Histopathological examination is sufficient for diagnosis of many melanocytic neoplasms, however, diagnostic discordance is common between dermatopathologists. A timely and confident diagnosis is optimal, especially in cases where both benign and malignant melanocytic neoplasms are considered in the differential diagnosis as treatment plans diverge significantly. A 35-gene expression profile (GEP) test that classifies melanocytic lesions into categories (benign, intermediate-risk and malignant), has reported accuracy metrics of 99.1% sensitivity, 94.3% specificity, 93.6% positive predictive value and 99.2% negative predictive value in a validation cohort of 503 samples. The clinical utility of the 35-GEP is described. Methods: Dermatopathologists (n=6) and dermatologists (n=14) were queried regarding diagnostic challenges and patient management strategies in 60 difficult-to-diagnose melanocytic neoplasms. Participants reviewed each lesion twice, once without the 35-GEP result and once with. Responses were evaluated for consistent trends in the utilization of the 35-GEP test result. Results: Dermatopathologists utilized the 35-GEP result to refine their diagnoses by increasing overall lesion diagnostic concordance and confidence, while reducing additional work up requests. Dermatologists utilized the 35-GEP result to gauge overall prognosis and case difficulty. Alterations in office visit frequency, biopsies, and referrals to specialists were also influenced by the 35-GEP result and treatment plan modifications also matched the appropriate directionality of the 35-GEP result. Conclusions: The diagnosis of challenging melanocytic neoplasms and subsequent clinical management decisions are influenced by 35-GEP results in a manner that agrees with the test result. The utility of the test provides the opportunity to improve patient care.

Despite the availability of tools to assess psychosocial screening in pediatric oncology, little is known about the feasibility and acceptability of systematic screening. We aimed to assess the feasibility of implementing a tool, or set of tools, capable of screening for psychosocial distress in pediatric cancer patients across the cancer continuum (on treatment, off treatment). Psychometric criteria were also evaluated. Patients 8-18 years were recruited from a pediatric oncology program. Patients completed self-report measures of the Distress Thermometer (DT) and Pediatric Quality of Life Inventory (PedsQL). One parent of each patient completed three screening tools: DT (proxy-report); PedsQL (proxy-report), and the Psychosocial Assessment Tool adapted for the Canadian context (PATrev), as well as a measure of patient psychological functioning (Behavioral Assessment System for Children-2), and an assessment of screening tool acceptability. Recruitment rates and acceptability informed feasibility of implementation. Ninety-five patients (58 men) with a mean age of 11.47 participated in the study (on treatment

Adult survivors of childhood cancers (ASCCs) are a unique and growing population. Because these individuals were diagnosed in childhood, their developmental stage at diagnosis may influence medical sequelae and perception of their cancer diagnosis and potentially result in long-term complications and challenges. Our aim was to determine how developmental stage, time since diagnosis, and cognitive impairment relate to Canadian ASCC distress and unmet needs.Canadian ASCCs aged 19-77 years (N = 115) diagnosed between ages 0 and 5 (n = 25), 6 and 12 (n = 22), or 13 and 18 (n = 68) completed demographic, neurocognitive self-report, depression, and anxiety and unmet needs questionnaires.The developmental stage predicted distress, β = -0.29, p = 0.01. Survivors diagnosed in middle childhood reported significantly more distress than those diagnosed in adolescence. Shorter time since diagnosis predicted greater psychosocial needs, β = -0.24, p = 0.05, and greater distress, β = -0.22, p = 0.05. Greater memory impairment predicted higher need across outcomes, β = -0.36-0.61, p0.05. In adjusted analyses for unmet needs, endorsement of cancer affecting education and/or work importantly altered outcomes.Our results indicate that greater self-reported memory impairment increases childhood cancer survivors' care needs. We additionally suggest that supportive care interventions might best target those reporting work or education interruption due to cancer. Identification of ASCCs who report work/school interruptions may provide a quick screen for health providers to assess possible need for intervention. ASCCs still experience unmet needs long into survivorship.

Objectives Fear of cancer recurrence (FCR) has not been widely explored in survivors of childhood cancer. Yet, childhood survivors are at risk of experiencing late effects and may be especially vulnerable. The aims of the current study were to conduct a retrospective chart review to determine the prevalence and persistence of FCR among survivors of childhood cancer and to examine factors that may be related to FCR. Methods Survivors of childhood cancer (n = 228, mean attained age = 14.5 years [range = 4.7-21 years]; mean diagnosis age = 4.4 years [range = 0-16.5 years]; mean time off treatment = 8.7 years [range = 2.8-19.3 years]) seen in a Long-Term Survivor Clinic (LTSC) completed questionnaires at each clinic visit detailing their current health. FCR was measured with a single item. Data from questionnaires from 2011 to 2018 were analyzed retrospectively. Descriptive statistics and a random effects model were used to address study aims. Results FCR was reported in 43% (n = 98) of survivors at least once across all clinic visits. Among survivors reporting FCR at least once, 66% were diagnosed with cancer under the age of 5, and 64% were 13 years or older at their most recent follow-up. Twenty-one percent of survivors (n = 48/224) reported FCR during at least 50% of their visits. Survivors with a higher number of depressive symptoms were more likely to report FCR (OR = 1.66, P = .03). Conclusions FCR is prevalent among survivors of childhood cancer and is related to other health concerns. Research is needed to understand who is at risk and how to.

Objective The population of adult survivors of childhood cancers (ASCCs) is growing, resulting in unique long-term challenges. This study explored experiences of perceived unmet ASCC survivorship needs. Methods We invited ASCCs to complete surveys sent through the cancer registry. Four open-ended questions allowed participants to write in comments. We analyzed responses to these open-ended questions thematically, employing a process of constant comparison. Results Our sample included 94 ASCCs who completed open-ended questions (61 female; aged 20-78 years, mean age = 34.47, SD = 11.84, mean = 23.27 years post diagnosis). Identified themes included (1) overlooked experiences of distress; (2) lack of counseling: system, patient, and family barriers; (3) difficulty negotiating future life milestones exacerbated by lack of knowledge; and (4) dissatisfaction with service provision: past and present. Prevalent issues identified by participants included lack of supportive care to address needs, distress due to missed developmental milestones as a result of cancer, lack of knowledge about late-term and long-term effects of cancer treatment, and concern over absence of organized long-term follow-up. Conclusions Adult survivors of childhood cancers continue to experience unmet needs during their cancer diagnosis, treatment, and long into survivorship due to the treatment for cancer and ongoing side effects. Solutions could focus on addressing the needs of survivors to bridge system gaps and barriers. Specifically, there is a need to improve psychological interventions and transitions from pediatric to adult-care facilities.

Objective— Bone morphogenetic proteins (Bmps) are important mediators of inflammation and atherosclerosis, though their mechanism of action is not fully understood. To better understand the contribution of the Bmp signaling pathway in vascular inflammation, we investigated the role of Bmper (Bmp endothelial cell precursor–derived regulator), an extracellular Bmp modulator, in an induced in vivo model of inflammation and atherosclerosis. Methods and Results— We crossed apolipoprotein E–deficient (ApoE −/− ) mice with mice missing 1 allele of Bmper (Bmper +/− mice used in the place of Bmper −/− mice that die at birth) and measured the development of atherosclerosis in mice fed a high-fat diet. Bmper haploinsufficiency in ApoE −/− mice (Bmper +/− ;ApoE −/− mice) led to a more severe phenotype compared with Bmper +/+ ;ApoE −/− mice. Bmper +/− ;ApoE −/− mice also exhibited increased Bmp activity in the endothelial cells in both the greater and lesser curvatures of the aortic arch, suggesting a role for Bmper in regulating Bmp-mediated inflammation associated with laminar and oscillatory shear stress. Small interfering RNA knockdown of Bmper in human umbilical vein endothelial cells caused a dramatic increase in the inflammatory markers intracellular adhesion molecule 1 and vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 at rest and after exposure to oscillatory and laminar shear stress. Conclusion— We conclude that Bmper is a critical regulator of Bmp-mediated vascular inflammation and that the fine-tuning of Bmp and Bmper levels is essential in the maintenance of normal vascular homeostasis.

Background Pediatric central nervous system (CNS) tumor survivors are at high risk for numerous late effects including decreased health-related quality of life (HRQOL). Our objective was to summarize studies describing HRQOL in pediatric CNS tumor survivors and compare HRQOL outcomes in studies that included a comparison group. Procedure EMBASE, MEDLINE, and PsychINFO were used to identify relevant articles published until August, 2016. Eligible studies reported outcomes for pediatric CNS tumor survivors diagnosed before age 21, at least 5 years from diagnosis and/or 2 years off therapy and used a standardized measure of HRQOL. All data were abstracted by two reviewers. Random-effects meta-analyses were performed using Review Manager 5.0. Results Of 1,912 unique articles identified, 74 were included in this review. Papers described 29 different HRQOL tools. Meta-analyses compared pediatric CNS tumor survivors to healthy comparisons and other pediatric cancer survivors separately. HRQOL was significantly lower for CNS (n = 797) than healthy comparisons (n = 1,397) (mean difference = –0.54, 95% confidence interval [CI] = –0.72 to –0.35, P < 0.001, I2 = 35%). HRQOL was also significantly lower for CNS (n = 244) than non-CNS survivors (n = 414) (mean difference = –0.56, 95% CI = –0.73 to –0.38, P < 0.00001, I2 = 0%). Conclusions Pediatric CNS tumor survivors experience worse HRQOL than healthy comparisons and non-CNS cancer survivors. Future HRQOL work should be longitudinal, and/or multisite studies that examine HRQOL by diagnosis and treatment modalities.

100 Background: Long-term childhood cancer survivors (CCSs) require lifetime medical follow-up to screen for and treat adverse health outcomes related to cancer and its treatment. In Alberta, primary-care providers (PCPs) are involved in this follow-up care, though differently so in Northern and Southern regions of the province. Our aim was to identify potential province-wide and region-specific preferences and care barriers that may impact medical and quality-of-life outcomes for patients. Methods: Forty-four PCPs following CCSs completed surveys about knowledge gaps, communication, and health-system barriers. Knowledge gaps were assessed using a hypothetical case vignette followed by three multiple-choice questions regarding appropriate follow-up, based on available guidelines. Communication barriers were measured using a 6-item 5-point scale. Health-system barriers were measured using a 12-item 5-point scale. Results: PCPs were 54.54% female, age 31-72 ( m=51.36) with 1-50 years of practice ( m=22.49). These preliminary results suggest PCPs across Alberta are experiencing moderate communication barriers (scale: 0-24, m=10.85, SD=6.59) but fewer health-system barriers (scale: 0-48, m=14.58, SD=5.11). Scores on the case vignette were markedly low province-wide (scale: 0-3, m=0.65, SD=0.65), indicating considerable knowledge gaps regarding long-term oncology-related care follow-up. No statistically significant differences were observed between regions. Conclusions: Albertan PCPs are experiencing barriers to care and knowledge gaps when following ASCCs. This is of primary concern for PCPs in Southern Alberta, currently tasked with the sole responsibility of providing oncology-related follow-up care. These data will be linked with data collected from their patients to explore the relationship between PCPs’ barriers and knowledge, and the symptoms, quality of life, and unmet needs of their patients.