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Introduction: Hematopoietic stem cell transplantation (HCT) is an intensive and invasive procedure used in cancer treatment that can lead to posttraumatic stress disorder (PTSD) symptoms. These symptoms are frequently overlooked in oncology and general health care settings. The suitability and utility of the Primary Care PTSD Screen for DSM‐5 (PC‐PTSD‐5) within the cancer population remains uncertain. This study aims to evaluate its performance as a brief (five‐item) case‐finding screening alternative to the longer (20‐item) PTSD Checklist for DSM‐5 (PCL‐5) in survivors who received an HCT 1 to 5 years ago. Methods: A total of 817 cancer survivors completed the PC‐PTSD‐5 and PCL‐5 during recruitment for a randomized clinical trial. Optimal cut scores for identifying probable PTSD and item performance were determined using indices correcting for chance and item response theory analyses. Results: Of the HCT sample, 10.4% screened as positive for probable DSM‐5 PTSD using the PCL‐5. The PC‐PTSD‐5 exhibited strong internal consistency and significant associations with PCL‐5 scores (total, r =.82; items, rs =.56–.61). A cutoff score of 2 provided optimal sensitivity for screening (κ[Se] =.95), whereas a cut score of 4 demonstrated the highest efficiency for detecting a probable DSM‐5 PTSD diagnosis on the PCL‐5 (κ[Eff] =.39). Item response theory analyses indicated that item 4 (numbing) of the PC‐PTSD‐5 yielded the most informative data, with other items potentially lacking incremental utility. Conclusion: Although not an instrument validation study, these findings offer efficient evidence for using the PC‐PTSD‐5 as a succinct screening tool among cancer survivors in a clinical context. Trials Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov, NCT04058795, registered 8/16/2019 This study demonstrates the value of specialized brief screening tools such as the PC‐PTSD‐5 in the oncology setting. By effectively identifying and addressing posttraumatic stress disorder symptoms, health care professionals can enhance care and improve the psychological health of individuals navigating the challenging terrain of cancer. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PurposeThe aims of this study were to examine quality of life, using the Impact of Cancer version 2 (IOCv2), in British non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors and investigate differences between survivors in the UK and the USA.MethodsNHL survivors (326 UK and 667 US) completed the 37-item IOCv2 and psychological distress, fatigue and social support questionnaires.ResultsThe IOCv2 showed good reliability in the British sample with higher internal consistency (Cronbach alpha 0.7-0.9) and no floor and ceiling effects. UK survivors showed significantly higher negative (p

This paper demonstrates the essential nature of oncology social work and the critical role that oncology social workers (OSWs) play in the achievement of high-quality cancer care that improves patient outcomes, contains cost, advances population health, reduces provider burn-out among healthcare providers, and does it in a manner that addresses disparities and achieves equity. To this end, this paper's purpose is two-fold: (1) to review and demonstrate OSW contributions to the advancement of comprehensive cancer care over the last 15 years, and (2) to consider next steps for the Association of Oncology Social Work (AOSW) and the Oncology Social Work profession to achieve its mission and calling. To enhance the viability and security of OSWs and the professional organizations that support them, this report summarizes a breadth and depth of work and includes recommendations for the profession. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

ObjectiveThere are conflicting empirical data regarding the relationship between posttraumatic stress (PTS) and growth (PTG) observed in cancer survivors. Clarification of this association could inform evidence-based therapeutic recommendations to promote adjustment in survivors following a cancer diagnosis.MethodsThis cross-sectional study employed standardized measures to examine the association between PTS and PTG in a sample of long-term lymphoma survivors. In addition, associations between PTG and demographic, clinical and psychosocial variables were identified to inform clinical recommendations.ResultsLong-term survivors of non-Hodgkin lymphoma provided informed consent (n = 886; 74% response rate). Subjects averaged 10.2 years post-diagnosis and 62.9 years of age. No significant association was found between the PTS and PTG summary scores. Several demographic and clinical variables (e.g., female gender and greater social support) were independently associated with greater PTG.ConclusionsClinicians are advised to be attentive to psychosocial needs throughout the post-cancer diagnosis adjustment period by screening for PTS symptomatology and recognizing that survivors who report growth may also be highly distressed.

Self-report instruments such as the Impact of Cancer (IOC) are designed to measure quality of life (QOL) impacts that cancer survivors attribute to their cancer experience. Generalizability of QOL findings across distinct diagnostic categories of survivors is untested. We compare measurement of the impact of cancer using the IOC instrument in breast cancer (BC) survivors (n = 1,188) and non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors (n = 652).A registry-based sample of NHL survivors completed the IOC questionnaire and the FACT-G, FACT-LYM, Medical Outcomes Study (MOS) SF-36, Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version, Post-Traumatic Growth Inventory and MOS Social Support scales. IOC responses of the NHL survivors were subjected to de novo scaling to identify impact domains for comparison to IOC version 2 (IOCv2) domains, which were previously developed based on BC survivor responses. Concurrent validity was assessed by correlating the IOCv2 scales with the other measures. IOCv2 scores were compared between the BC and NHL survivor samples.The BC and NHL survivors exhibited similar impact domains and had factor structures that were largely congruent. The concurrent validity analysis revealed patterns of association that supported the interpretation and validity of the IOCv2 scales. Differences in IOCv2 scores between the BC and NHL groups suggested differential impacts in distinct survivor groups that could be detected using the IOCv2.The results suggest that the IOCv2 measures common and important survivor concerns and support its generalizability to the broader long-term cancer survivor population.Instruments such as the IOCv2 can provide valid assessment of QOL impacts in long-term cancer survivors, facilitating the characterization of these impacts and development of appropriate interventions.

The purpose of this study was to explore whether patient-centered communication (PCC) would partially mediate the relationship between social support and mental health status among adult survivors of non-Hodgkin's lymphoma (NHL). Methods: Secondary analysis of self-administered questionnaires mailed to 682 adults with NHL who were assumed living and had completed the baseline 2005 study (83% response rate). Adult NHL survivors (n = 566) and data were analyzed using descriptive statistics and the Sobel test. Results: PCC partially mediated the relationship between social support and three measures of mental health outcomes (SF-36 Mental Component Summary [SF36-MCS], Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder Checklist-Civilian Version [PCL-C], Impact of Cancer – Negative Impact Summary [IOCv2 NIS]). Results of the conservative Sobel test were significant (p <.01) in three mediation models. Conclusions: Future research should focus on testing interventions that target PCC and identifying additional mediators and moderators between social support and mental health outcomes among cancer survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This study describes the prevalence and persistence of fatigue among a cohort of long-term non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) survivors. Mailed surveys assessed quality-of-life including fatigue (SF-36) at baseline and five years. Logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with prevalence of fatigue at baseline and persistence of fatigue across timepoints. More than one-quarter (27.7%) of the 555 NHL survivors reported clinically meaningful fatigue at baseline and 18.7% reported persistent fatigue at five years. One-third (34.4%) reported clinically meaningful worsening of fatigue over time. Independent associations with persistent fatigue included female gender, less education, past chemotherapy, increased comorbidities, and posttraumatic stress symptoms (P <.05). Our findings suggest that one in three NHL survivors experience clinically meaningful fatigue long after their diagnosis and initial treatment. Furthermore, we found that fatigue worsens or persists for many, highlighting the need for vigilance in assessing and treating fatigue in this population. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: To examine the effect of non‐muscle‐invasive bladder cancer (NMIBC) diagnosis and treatment on survivors' quality of life (QoL). Patients and Methods: Of the 5979 patients with NMIBC diagnosed between 2010 and 2014 in North Carolina, 2000 patients were randomly selected to be invited to enroll in this cross‐sectional study. Data were collected by postal mail survey. The European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Questionnaire‐Core (QLQ‐C30) and the NMIBC‐specific module were included in the survey to measure QoL. Descriptive statistics, t‐tests, anova, and Pearson's correlation were used to describe demographics and to assess how QoL varied by sex, cancer stage, time since diagnosis, and treatment. Results: A total of 398 survivors returned questionnaires (response rate: 23.6%). The mean QoL score for QLQ‐C30 (range 0–100, higher = better QoL in all domains but symptoms) for global health status was 73.6, function domain scores ranged from 83.9 to 86.5, and scores for the top five symptoms (insomnia, fatigue, dyspnoea, pain, and financial difficulties) ranged from 14.1 to 24.3. The lowest NMIBC‐specific QoL domain was sexual issues including sexual function, enjoyment, problems, and intimacy. Women had worse bowel problems, sexual function, and sexual enjoyment than men but better sexual intimacy and fewer concerns about contaminating their partner. Stage Ta had the highest global health status, followed by T1 and Tis. QoL did not vary by time since diagnosis except for sexual function. The cystectomy group (n = 21) had worse QoL in sexual function, discomfort with sexual intimacy, sexual enjoyment, and male sexual problems than the non‐cystectomy group (n = 336). Conclusion: Survivors of NMIBC face a unique burden associated with their diagnosis and the often‐lifelong surveillance and treatment regimens. The finding has important implications for the design of tailored supportive care interventions to improve QoL for NMIBC survivors. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]