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Introduction: To explore the existing research on sexual health experiences of sexual and gender minority women (SGMW) post-curative cancer treatment. Methodology: This scoping review was guided by the Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses extension for scoping reviews. Four articles that focused on sexual health experiences of SGMW post-curative cancer treatment were included. Results: Four themes were identified: (a) sexual function; (b) sexual orientation and gender identity, including disclosure and health care provider reactions; (c) relationship dynamics, such as relationship status and the quality of romantic relationships; and (d) body image. Discussions: The findings underscore substantial challenges faced by SGMW cancer survivors in achieving optimal sexual well-being, impacting their access to post-treatment care. This study advocates for more expansive research efforts involving diverse participant cohorts, extending beyond breast cancer, to gain deeper insights into these critical issues. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Funding communities through mini-grant programs builds community capacity by fostering leadership among community members, developing expertise in implementing evidence-based practices, and increasing trust in partnerships. The South Carolina Cancer Prevention and Control Research Network (SC-CPCRN) implemented the Community Health Intervention Program (CHIP) mini-grants initiative to address cancer-related health disparities among high-risk populations in rural areas of the state. One community-based organization and one faith-based organization were funded during the most recent call for proposals. The organizations implemented National Cancer Institute evidence-based strategies and programs focused on health and cancer screenings and physical activity and promotion of walking trails. Despite the potential for the COVID-19 pandemic to serve as a major barrier to implementation, grantees successfully recruited and engaged community members in evidence-based activities. These initiatives added material benefits to their local communities, including promotion of walking outdoors where it is less likely to contract the virus when socially distanced and provision of COVID-19 testing and vaccines along with other health and cancer screenings. Future mini-grants programs will benefit from learning from current grantees' flexibility in program implementation during a pandemic as well as their intentional approach to modifying program aspects as needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Purpose: Culturally competent health care has led to increasing interest in how patients' identities influence the management of their health. The ways rural patients with advanced cancer process emotions and cope with their disease may be influenced by their rural context. The aims for this study were to (1) describe the emotions rural cancer patients experience, (2) describe how rural cancer patients manage their emotions within their rural context, and (3) interlace the themes related to coping with emotions. Methods: This paper is a subanalysis of a larger project focused on symptom management among rural patients living with advanced cancer. Using a qualitative descriptive design, authors read and coded patient interview transcripts to extract key perspectives related to managing emotions within a rural context. Findings: Sixteen participants, 10 men and 6 women, with a mean age of 68.75 years completed this study. Participants described a spectrum of emotional experiences. Some participants reported no distress, and some described high levels of distress. While previous writers described low levels of religious coping among rural patients, participants in this study often named their faith/spirituality as a major source of emotional coping. Participants also galvanized their social support network, particularly those in their religious community. Finally, participants in this study reported the use of medication as a last resort. Conclusion: Results from this study might be influenced from cultural variables found in the rural community; specifically, religiosity and close social networks. Future interventions need to be tailored to the unique responses of rural patients. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background: Patient portals (PPs) are secure websites where patients can view electronic health records, send providers eMessages, and request medication refills. PPs are freely available, but adoption by healthcare providers has been varied. Objective: To assess patients' use of the Internet and PPs in an outpatient cancer clinic. Methods: An anonymous, descriptive survey study design. Participants were recruited from an outpatient cancer clinic and completed surveys about their sociodemographics (eg, age, sex), cancer type/stage/ treatment, computer/Internet/PP experience, patient-clinician communication, and PP self-efficacy. Descriptive statistics were computed to characterize the study sample and patient Internet/PP use. Results: Participants (N = 85) were 50.6% male, 64.3% white, and well-educated (80% with at least some college). The mean age was 57.1 years. Types and stages of cancer varied greatly; the most common included leukemia/lymphoma (32.1%) and multiple myeloma (23.5%). All patients used the Internet, and most used a smartphone (eg, iPhone, Galaxy; 90.6%). Thirty-six (42.4%) had used the PP prior to completing the survey. Given that all participants in our study used the Internet and 42.4% had used the PP, there is great potential for using PPs to deliver information tailored to the need of cancer survivors. Conclusion: We found that patients with cancer in an ambulatory clinic had high interest in using PPs and a higher adoption rate of PP use compared with what has been reported in the literature. Our research offers confirmation that PPs and the Internet are viable tools to help cancer survivors during any stage of survivorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PROBLEM STATEMENT: To define the Oncology Nursing Society Research Agenda for 2024-2027. DESIGN: An iterative, multiple data sources consolidation through the Research Agenda Project Team. DATA SOURCES: Previous research priorities, literature review, stakeholder survey, and research priorities from other cancer care organizations and funding agencies. FINDINGS: 10 evergreen statements articulated foundational values for oncology nurse scientists, and 5 topics emerged as research priorities for the upcoming three years: Advance patient-centric, precision symptom science; provide evidence for safe and effective cancer care delivery models and support of the oncology nursing workforce; describe the impact of the environment on cancer care outcomes; integrate patient navigation into cancer care across the trajectory; and advance the use of innovative methodologies in oncology nursing research. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: The Oncology Nursing Society Research Agenda is an effective resource for directing the organization's research vision. This foundational document directs funding awards and requests, mentorship, and policy initiatives. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Background and Purpose: This study examined the psychometric properties of a 9-item Morisky Medication Adherence Scale (MMAS-9) adapted specifically for patients with HIV/AIDS. Methods: We used data from two randomized controlled trials investigating telephone-delivered interventions for improving adherence to antiretroviral therapy to assess reliability (Cronbach’s α and Pearson’s product correlation) and validity (convergent and concurrent) of the MMAS-9. Results: The internal consistency (Cronbach’s α) of the MMAS-9 was.66 (study 1) and.69 (study 2); 3-month test–retest reliability (Pearson’s correlation) ranged from.50 to.74. Validity was supported by associations with electronic event monitored adherence, social support, depressive symptoms, self-efficacy, stigma, regimen complexity, and impact of side effects in the hypothesized direction. Conclusions: The adapted MMAS-9 demonstrated good convergent validity but somewhat lower internal consistency reliability than other reports. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

PURPOSE: To understand how rural residents with advanced cancer experience and manage their symptoms. PARTICIPANTS & SETTING: 16 adult patients with a diagnosis of advanced cancer, who were receiving antineoplastic treatment and living in rural areas of southeastern Iowa, participated in the study. METHODOLOGIC APPROACH: Data were collected through semistructured, audio-recorded interviews using open-ended questions. Data were analyzed using content and dimensional analyses. FINDINGS: Four themes were developed from the completed interviews, including (a) barriers and challenges associated with rural cancer care, (b) physical symptoms experienced from the time of diagnosis through the cancer trajectory, (c) symptom management strategies used to control physical symptoms, and (d) perceptions of having cancer and the use of technology in managing symptoms. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Rural residents with advanced cancer experience a wide range of physical symptoms that may affect their quality of life. Although residents may develop self-management strategies to cope with symptoms, additional guidance on and interventions for how best to manage physical symptoms are needed. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

This article provides an overview of the process, development, and evaluation of the Symptom Science Colloquium sponsored by the National Institute of Nursing Research, Oncology Nursing Society (ONS), and National Cancer Institute. This colloquium was the first of its kind to leverage the common goals of these institutes to advance oncology symptom science. Specifically, this article will identify the goals of the agencies involved and synergy in forming this collaboration, review the ONS Research Agenda that provided the blueprint for the colloquium, and offer insights and lessons learned to be used for future planning. The colloquium engaged roughly 500 participants from all levels of clinical (RNs, advanced practice nurses), educational (undergraduate, master's, doctorate), and research (students, faculty, scientists) expertise. Six featured expert speakers and 115 poster presentations focused on the latest research in symptom science, cancer survivorship, palliative and end-of-life care, and hot topics (COVID-19, health disparities). Fourteen networking sessions fostered opportunities to engage with international experts. Special awards emphasized mentee--mentor relationships and exemplary midcareer faculty. Based on this emphasis, the authors provide themes from the successful award applications as exemplars. A summary of participant satisfaction and recommendations for future collaborations to enhance and advance oncology symptom science are provided. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

OBJECTIVES: To evaluate an interactive electronic Cancer Survivorship Patient Engagement Toolkit (CaS-PET) using a single-group pre-/post-test design. SAMPLE & SETTING: 30 cancer survivors with a mean age of 56.5 years (SD = 13.6) were recruited from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore. METHODS & VARIABLES: CaS-PET was designed to deliver survivorship care plans (SCPs) with multifactorial support and comprised of SCPs, biweekly follow-up using patient portal e-messages, and online resources. Outcomes included healthrelated quality of life, symptom burden, impact of cancer, fear of recurrence, physical activities, dietary behavior, patient--provider communication, adherence to treatment, and e-health literacy. RESULTS: At three months, there was a significant improvement in quality of life, physical symptom burden, and total symptom burden. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING: Findings suggest an excellent potential for using CaS-PET for survivors who are in transition from treatment to survivorship. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives: To evaluate an interactive electronic Cancer Survivorship Patient Engagement Toolkit (CaS-PET) using a single-group pre-/post-test design., Sample & Setting: 30 cancer survivors with a mean age of 56.5 years (SD = 13.6) were recruited from the University of Maryland Medical Center in Baltimore., Methods & Variables: CaS-PET was designed to deliver survivorship care plans (SCPs) with multifactorial support and comprised of SCPs, biweekly follow-up using patient portal e-messages, and online resources. Outcomes included health-related quality of life, symptom burden, impact of cancer, fear of recurrence, physical activities, dietary behavior, patient-provider communication, adherence to treatment, and e-health literacy., Results: At three months, there was a significant improvement in quality of life, physical symptom burden, and total symptom burden., Implications for Nursing: Findings suggest an excellent potential for using CaS-PET for survivors who are in transition from treatment to survivorship.

The use of targeted oral anticancer medications (OAMs) is becoming increasingly prevalent in cancer care. Approximately 25-30% of the oncology drug pipeline involves oral agents and there are now over 50 OAMs approved by the Food and Drug Administration. This change represents a major shift in management of patients with cancer from directly observed, intermittent intravenous therapy to self-administered, oral chronic therapy. The increased prevalence of OAMs raises the issue of adherence in oncology, including understanding the challenges of adherence to OAMs. This review focuses on studies of adherence for patients taking molecularly targeted OAMs for breast cancer, chronic myelogenous leukemia (CML), gastrointestinal stromal tumors (GIST), non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC), and renal cell carcinoma (RCC). We then discuss barriers to adherence and studies performed to date testing interventions for improving adherence. Finally, we discuss future areas of investigation needed to define and improve adherence to OAMs in targeted therapy for cancer.