Search

The coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic disproportionately affects survivorship outcomes in head and neck cancer (HNC) patients. Perceived threat has been applied to understand vaccination behavior. The purpose of this study was to describe demographic and clinical factors related to the perceived threat of COVID-19 among those undergoing/after HNC treatment. HNC patients who were undergoing or after radiation or chemoradiation were recruited for this cross-sectional study. Participants completed a phone survey that included the Perceived Threat Scale of COVID-19, the Perceived Stress Scale, demographics, COVID-19 screening items, State of Florida COVID-19 screening positive data. Descriptive statistics, Chi Square test, t-test, and multiple regression were performed. Participants (N=30) mean age was 62.5 years (SD=11.1). The most common tumor site was the mouth (37%) and 60% had stage III/IV cancer. The majority underwent chemo-radiation (57%) and had completed treatment (63%). In a multiple regression model, only perceived stress (b=1.20, SE=0.478, t=2.51, p=0.019) and female sex were significant predictors of perceived threat of COVID-19 (b=6.81, SE=2.79, t=2.44, p=0.022). Health messages include threat of COVID-19 should be carefully designed. HNC cancer patients, especially females, who perceived more threat from COVID-19, are those who encountered more stressful emotion. Effective and transparent communication from scientific organizations, public health experts, and media outlets on the safety and efficacy of COVID-19 vaccines should be the focus to promote vaccination behavior. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Head and neck cancer (HNC) patients experience treatment-related complications that may interfere with health-related quality of life (HRQOL). The purpose of this study was to describe the symptom experience (shoulder pain) and functional status factors that are related to global and domain-specific HRQOL at one month after HNC surgery. In this exploratory study, we examined 29 patients.The outcome variables included globalHRQOL as well as physical, functional, emotional, and social well-being. Symptom experience and functional status factorswere the independent variables. In the symptomexperience variables, shoulder pain distress was negatively associated with physical well-being (R2 = 0.24). Among the functional status variables, eating impairment was negatively related to global HRQOL (R2 = 0.18) and physical well-being (R2 = 0.21). Speaking impairment and impaired body image explained a large amount of the variance in functional well-being (R2 = 0.45). This study provided initial results regarding symptom experience and functional status factors related to poor HRQOL in the early postoperative period for HNC patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

By analysing teleseismic waveform data, we propose a large-scale Taiwan Reference Moho Discontinuity Model (TRMDM) through coherent stacking and H–κ analysis of receiver functions (RFs). Tectonic structural features are determined from accurate crustal thickness ( H) and reliable Vp/ Vs ratio (κ) (consequently Poisson's ratio, σ) estimations for Taiwan. The best estimated regional average Moho depth is 33.5 ± 2.9 km. Noted is a westward crustal thinning from 39 ± 3.0 km in eastern Taiwan to 30 ± 1.5 km in southeastern China. The averaged Moho depth is 23.0 ± 2.5 km in northern Taiwan and increases to 33.5 ± 2.0 km in the south. The markedly thin crust and high Vp/ Vs ratio in northern Taiwan are mainly associated with backarc opening and magmatic activities. Based on H–κ estimations and associated seismicity patterns beneath Suang-Long (SSLB) and adjacent four stations, we propose two Moho reference models that exhibit distinctive crustal thickening in central Taiwan. The spatial variations of crustal thickness models show strong lateral change in the Moho topography. The thick crust in the south, thin crust in the north and transition in central Taiwan mark the different tectonic units between the subduction wedge and the collision prism onshore. In view of the following list of constraints: thicker crust in the south than in the north; eastward crust thickening; significant Moho depth changes; clear 9–11 s subcrustal boundaries from five stations; the compelling thickening of crust and upper mantle beneath the central mountain belt; seismicity patterns with the absence of mantle earthquake in the Wadati-Benioff zone; regional geological features; the occurrence of the inland Chi-Chi earthquake; the compelling low κ at YULB (1.58 ± 0.13) that may extend to central Taiwan at SSLB (1.59 ± 0.23); relatively thick crust at YULB (39.5 ± 1.6 km) and SSLB (40.5 ± 1.3 km or 52.5 ± 1.5 km), and finally, the apparent horizontal offset between highest Yu Shan Mountain and the deepest Moho at SSLB, we are able to suggest that the initial subduction of the Eurasian Plate occurred in southern Taiwan and most likely extended to the transition zone in central Taiwan. Although the current RF study is limited by large interstation distance, our analysis provides more notable constraints than previous studies to explicitly determine the characteristic features of Moho discontinuity. This detailed approach means that rather than treating the tectonic framework as a whole heterogeneous lithospheric feature, clear Moho boundary geometry variations indicate that active orogenic processes and differential tectonic stress loading create separate and complex crustal and subcrustal-to-upper-mantle structural features caused by the arc–continent collision. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: The purpose of the study was to preliminarily test changes in symptoms (fatigue & pain), stress response (hair cortisol), and physical function (preferred gait speed) after 6-week personalized Physical Activity intervention with fitness graded Motion Exergames (PAfitME™) among advanced-stage cancer patients. METHODS: Ten (10) advanced-stage cancer patients were recruited. They participated in the home-based 6-week telehealth PAfitME™. The Personalized exergame prescriptions in the PAfitME™ were developed to match participant's fitness capacity, health belief, and symptoms. PAfitME™ was delivered through FaceTime calls and home visits. A within-group pre-/posttest design was implanted. Symptoms measurements included the Brief Fatigue Inventory and Brief Pain Inventory. Hair cortisol (pg/mg) was measured by the cortisol amount extracted from the hair sample (≥1mg). Preferred gait speed (m/s) was measured by the time taken to complete the walk at a comfortable pace on a steady path (4m). Non-parametric analyses were used to evaluate the pre- and post- difference. Cohen's d was used to show the effect size for the difference. RESULTS: The recruitment rate, enrollment rate, and attrition rate were 17%, 50%, and 60%, respectively. Four (4) of the study subjects completed the study (40%). The mean age was 63.3 (±8.7) years old. There were one male (25%) and three females (75%) completing the study. Cancer types included breast cancer (25%), head and neck cancer (25%), rectal cancer (25%), and melanoma (25%). All participants had stage III cancer (100%). Participants engaged a mean of 70 minutes/week of exergame activities. The worst fatigue and worse pain scores decreased with medium effect sizes (d = 0.6-0.7). The reduction in hair cortisol had a medium effect size (d = 0.7), but the Improvement in preferred gait speed had a large effect size (d = 0.8). CONCLUSION: Exergame activities could reduce the worst fatigue, worst pain, and biological stress response but improve objective physical function. Positive results from an efficacy trial would support the use of PAfitME™ in the management of fatigue and pain in advanced-stage cancer patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: To reduce colorectal cancer (CRC) screening disparities, it is important to understand correlates of different types of cancer worry among ethnically diverse individuals. Objectives: The current study examined the prevalence of three types of cancer worry (i.e., general cancer worry, CRC-specific worry, and worry about CRC test results) as well as sociodemographic and health-related predictors for each type of cancer worry. Methods: Participants were aged 50-75, at average CRC risk, nonadherent to CRC screening guidelines, and enrolled in a randomized controlled trial to increase CRC screening. Participants completed a baseline questionnaire assessing sociodemographics, health beliefs, healthcare experiences, and three cancer worry measures. Associations between study variables were examined with separate univariate and multivariable logistic regression models. Results: Responses from a total of 416 participants were used. Of these, 47% reported experiencing moderate-to-high levels of general cancer worry. Predictors of general cancer worry were salience and coherence (aOR = 1.1, 95%CI [1.0, 1.3]), perceived susceptibility (aOR = 1.2, 95% CI [1.1, 1.3), and social influence (aOR = 1.1, 95% CI [1.0, 0.1]). Fewer (23%) reported moderate-to-high levels of CRC-specific worry or CRC test worry (35%). Predictors of CRC worry were perceived susceptibility (aOR = 1.4, 95% CI [1.3, 1.6]) and social influence (aOR = 1.1, 95% CI [1.0, 1.2]); predictors of CRC test result worry were perceived susceptibility (aOR = 1.2, 95% CI [1.1, 1.3) and marital status (aOR = 2.0, 95% CI [1.1, 3.7] for married/partnered vs. single and aOR = 2.3, 95% CI [1.3, 4.1] for divorced/widowed vs. single). Discussion: Perceived susceptibility consistently predicted the three types of cancer worry, whereas other predictors varied between cancer worry types and in magnitude of association. The three types of cancer worry were generally predicted by health beliefs, suggesting potential malleability. Future research should include multiple measures of cancer worry and clear definitions of how cancer worry is measured. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Lung cancer is the second most common cancer; however, it often is not diagnosed until the advanced stages. Early-stage lung cancer is curable, but screening tools are not usually implemented in practice because of a lack of provider awareness. A lung cancer screening decision aid may increase screening use and, ultimately, reduce lung cancer deaths. At a Glance • Lung cancer screening decreases mortality. • Informed decision making is crucial in optimizing screening. • A majority of prescribers surveyed believe that the lung cancer screening decision aid described in this article is beneficial to their patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]