Open Access
Social determinants of health in post-treatment cancer survivors: scoping review
(Elsevier, 2024) Lara-Morales, Alfredo; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Agudelo-Suárez, Andrés A.; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak; Universidad Pública de Navarra / Nafarroako Unibertsitate Publikoa
Purpose: To identify, analyze and describe the available scientific evidence about the influence of social determinants of health on cancer survivors. Methods: A scoping review was outlined according to the steps described by the Joanna Brigs Institute Reviewer¿s Manual: selection of studies, data mapping, and results grouping, synthesis and report, was conducted. PubMed, CINAHL, Scopus and LILACS databases were searched from 2011 to 2023. Results: Out of a total of 1783 papers initially screened, only 19 studies met the inclusion criteria for the scoping review, focusing on the primary social determinants impacting the health of cancer survivors. These studies were categorized into six main themes: a) employment (challenges in work reintegration and work-place difficulties); b) variations among different ethnic groups; c) disparities based on sex; d) barriers and facilitators in accessing health and social security services; e) the role of support networks and social environments; and f) socioeconomic lever (influence of income and socioeconomic status). Conclusions: Understanding the impact of social determinants on the post-treatment quality of life for cancer survivors is crucial. Comprehensive survivorship care should address not just medical needs but also holistic aspects like social support, education, overall well-being, and improvements in physical and social environments. This multifaceted approach ensures the well-rounded support needed for optimal survivorship outcomes.
Open Access
The use and misuse of the concept of cancer survivor
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2022) García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
This editorial is not intended to be conclusive about a definition of cancer survivor but to provide a catalyst for a universally accepted definition to establish the most appropriate research and care delivery agenda. There is a need for consensus that a cancer survivor is a person who completed treatment and is disease-free for at least 1, 3, 5, or more than 5 years. In addition, there is a need to recognize the full spectrum of late and long-term effects in cancer survivorship as well as to meet the challenges of those no longer cancer patients but survivors who may feel "lost in transition".
Open Access
Effectiveness of digital health on the quality of life of long-term breast cancer survivors: a systematic review
(Elsevier, 2023) Pimentel Parra, Gustavo Adolfo; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Objectives: To identify, critically appraise, and synthesize the available evidence on the effectiveness of digital health interventions to improve the quality of life or any of its four dimensions (physical, psychological, social, and spiritual) in women survivors of breast cancer who are in the extended or permanent survival stage. Data Sources: Systematic review—Four databases were searched: PubMed, CINAHL, PsycINFO, and Web of Science. Conclusion: The clinical evidence shows a positive relationship or association between eHealth use and improved quality of life in breast cancer survivors at extended or permanent survival stage. However, the findings point to a deficit in the assessment of the social and spiritual domains that play a fundamental role in the quality of life of survivors. Implication for Nursing Practice: The findings found reflect implications of great value for nursing practice because these professionals are the main users of digital health tools to provide them to patients. Using these digital tools contributes to improving evidence-based practice and providing greater efficiency and effectiveness in the care of long-term cancer survivors.
Open Access
'Opportunistic care': a focus group study of nurses' perspective on caring for long-term cancer survivors and their families
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2024) Elizondo Rodríguez, Nerea; La Rosa-Salas, Virginia; Leite, Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi; Domingo-Oslé, Marta; Nascimento, Lucila; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: The global population of long-term cancer survivors is increasing, thanks to advances in treatments and care. Healthcare systems are working to address the unique needs of these individuals. However, there remains a knowledge gap concerning nurses' view on cancer survivorship care. Objective: To identify nurses' perspective of care for long-term cancer survivors and their families. Methods: This qualitative descriptive study used 5 focus groups comprising 33 nurses from primary healthcare and specialized oncology care. Data analysis was conducted through thematic analysis, and the study received ethical approval. Results: Long-term cancer survivors and their families often remained unrecognized as a distinct group within the healthcare system. Consequently, nurses provide what can be termed as opportunistic care during nurse-survivor encounters, addressing health needs beyond the purpose of the initial healthcare visit. This absence of a systematic or structured approach for this patient group has prompted nurses to seek the establishment of a comprehensive framework through survivorship care plans, thus ensuring a continuum of care for this specific population. Conclusion: The lack of a structured approach to caring for long-term cancer survivors and their families, often invisible as a distinct population group, results in nurses providing care on an opportunistic basis. Implications for practice: It is crucial to develop and implement survivorship care plans tailored to this population's needs. Simultaneously, it is important to advance research in this area and establish an educational framework for nurses, enabling them to effectively address the care of long-term cancer survivors and their families.
Open Access
Extended and long-term cancer survivorship of childhood survivors: a scoping review of nursing evidence with bibliometric analysis
(Lippincott, Williams & Wilkins, 2024-06-10) Leite, Ana Carolina Andrade Biaggi; Nascimento, Lucila; Neris, Rhyquelle Rhibna; Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Background: With the increasing survival rates of childhood cancer, nurses' familiarity with published evidence has become crucial to care for this population and their families throughout the survival process. Objective: to systematically identify and conduct a bibliometric analysis of nursing-related evidence concerning extended and long-term survival of childhood survivors. Methods: a scoping review was conducted using bibliometric analysis with searches performed in the PubMed, CINAHL, SCOPUS, and Web of Science databases. A total of 300 studies on childhood cancer survival within the nursing field were included. Results: the first study on this topic was published in 1975. American and Chinese researchers lead study publications, primarily publishing in nursing journals such as Cancer Nursing. Quantitative designs were prevalent, and the majority of the studies focused on physical late effects, overall quality of life, and survivor follow-up care. Conclusions: this study has allowed us to map and synthesize the bibliometric evidence pertaining to the extended and long-term survivorship of childhood cancer survivors in the nursing field. Consequently, it identifies gaps in knowledge, research trends, and areas necessitating further exploration. Implications for practice: the evidence presented in this review can facilitate academic and clinical discussions, offering a comprehensive synthesis of the published knowledge. More research needs to be developed on the topic, particularly in Central and Latin America, Africa, Southern and Eastern Europe, and in some regions of Asia. Furthermore, the scope of studies should extend beyond late effects and quality of life, encompassing the experience of surviving childhood cancer, including psychosocial and spiritual dimensions.
Open Access
Web-based personalized intervention to improve quality of life and self-efficacy of long-term breast cancer survivors: study protocol for a randomized controlled trial
(MDPI, 2022) Soto Ruiz, María Nelia; Escalada Hernández, Paula; San Martín Rodríguez, Leticia; Ferraz Torres, Marta; García Vivar, Cristina; Ciencias de la Salud; Osasun Zientziak
Long-term breast cancer survivors (>5 years free of disease) may suffer late sequelae of cancer that impact on their quality of life. The use of telehealth for cancer care is recommended but little is known about the effectiveness of digital interventions for long-term cancer survivors. This study aims to evaluate the effectiveness of a web-based personalized intervention based on artificial intelligence instead of usual primary health care to improve the quality of life of long-term survivors of breast cancer and self-efficacy for the management of late sequelae. A randomized controlled trial will be conducted. The sample will consist of long-term breast cancer survivors recruited from primary health centers. Women will be randomly assigned to the intervention group to receive a web-based personalized intervention or to the control group to receive standard primary health care by nurses. Data on quality of life of cancer survivors and self-efficacy for the management of late sequelae of cancer will be collected and assessed at preintervention, and at 3, 6, and 9 months. It is expected that, at the end of the programme, the experimental group will have improved quality of life and improved self-efficacy for the management of late sequelae of cancer.