Valid measures of nausea are needed to evaluate the various treatments used to counter the nausea... more Valid measures of nausea are needed to evaluate the various treatments used to counter the nausea produced by chemotherapy. The overall nausea intensity (ONI) produced by 17 chemotherapy drugs was estimated by 17 physicians and 8 nurses, and 25 patients undergoing chemotherapy described the subjective qualities and ONI of their nausea on a modified form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The scores for the affective and miscellaneous categories of words in the questionnaire were found to correlate significantly with the physicians' and nurses' ONI estimates. The results formed the basis for the Nausea Questionnaire, which provided three indices of nausea: a nausea rating index (NRI), ONI and intensity of nausea according to a visual analogue scale (VAS). All three indices correlated significantly with the physicians' and nurses' ONI estimates and were significantly intercorrelated. All three also provided significant differences when the scores of patients who had received cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil were compared. The results indicate that the Nausea Questionnaire provides three valid indices of the subjective experience of nausea.
6063 Background: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of genetic pre... more 6063 Background: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of genetic predisposition to depression, through polygenic risk scores (PRS), on quality of life levels in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) immediately post-treatment period (i.e., 3 months post-diagnosis). Methods: Prospective longitudinal study of 223 consecutive adult patients with HNC (72% participation) newly diagnosed with a first occurrence of primary HNC, including saliva samples analyzed using the Illumina PsychChip, psychometric measures, Structured Clinical DSM Interviews, and medical chart reviews. Results: Level of quality of life at 3 months on the FACT-G+H&N was predicted by (r2 = 0.51, r2 adj. = 0.33, p = 0.001) the polygenic risk score for depression (standardized b = -0.28, p = 0.01) and a previous history of suicidal ideation (standardized b = -0.25, p = 0.04). Other variables were non-significant in the analyses: sociodemographic (i.e., age, sex, education, living alone), p...
Objectives Since 2018, four establishments in Quebec have been instrumental in implementing the P... more Objectives Since 2018, four establishments in Quebec have been instrumental in implementing the PAROLE-Onco program, which introduced accompanying patients (APs) in healthcare teams to improve cancer patients’ experience. APs are patient advisors who have acquired specific experiential knowledge related to living with cancer, using services, and interacting with healthcare professionals. They are therefore in a unique and reliable position to be able to provide emotional, informational, cognitive and navigational support to patients dealing with cancer. We aimed to explore APs’ perspectives regarding the limiting and facilitating factors in terms of how they are integrated into the clinical oncology teams. Methods A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups was conducted with 20 APs at the beginning of their intervention (T1) and two years afterwards (T2). Limiting and facilitating factors of APs’ integration into clinical teams were analyzed in terms of...
IntroductionSince 2018, four establishments in Quebec, Canada, have decided to implement the PARO... more IntroductionSince 2018, four establishments in Quebec, Canada, have decided to implement the PAROLE‐Onco programme, which introduced accompanying patients (APs) in healthcare teams to improve the experience of cancer patients. APs are patient advisors who have had a cancer treatment experience and who conduct consultations to complement the service offered by providing emotional, informational and educational support to patients undergoing treatments (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery), mostly for breast cancer. We aimed to explore the evolution of APs' perspectives regarding their activities within the clinical oncology teams as well as the perceived effects of their intervention with patients, the clinical team and themselves.MethodsA qualitative study based on semistructured interviews and focus groups was conducted with APs at the beginning of their intervention (T1) and 2 years afterwards (T2). The themes discussed were APs' activities and the perceived effects ...
ObjectiveHead and neck cancer (HNC) treatments are known to significantly affect functionality an... more ObjectiveHead and neck cancer (HNC) treatments are known to significantly affect functionality and appearance, leading to an increased risk for body image disturbances. Yet, few longitudinal studies exist to examine body image in these patients. Based on a conceptual model, the current study aimed to determine, in patients newly diagnosed with HNC: (1) the prevalence, level, and course of body image concerns; (2) correlates of upon cancer diagnosis (pre-treatment) body image concerns; (3) predictors of immediate post-treatment body image concerns; and (4) association between body image concerns and levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, support (i.e., satisfaction with support from physician, social/family wellbeing, and unmet support needs), and alcohol and drug misuse.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-three (participation rate = 72%), newly diagnosed with a primary HNC were assessed using structured clinical interviews and psychometric measures at three, and 6 months after ...
The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology = Journal Canadien des Maladies Infectieuses et de la Microbiologie Medicale, Sep 1, 2008
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 2022
Abstract Background: Most sexually active adults are infected with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)... more Abstract Background: Most sexually active adults are infected with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in their lifetime and about 3800 Canadians are diagnosed each year with a HPV attributable cancer. Although highly effective HPV vaccines exist, the HPV is responsible for 4.5% of all cancers worldwide, that include cervical, anal, vaginal/vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. The present HPV vaccine uptake rate for boys in Canada is well below the target set by the Canadian government. This study aimed to analyze the motives that influence a change in parents’ HPV vaccine-decision-making status for their sons over time. Methods: Data were collected using a web-based survey that measured knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding HPV vaccination. Canadian parents of boys aged 9 to 12 completed the survey at baseline (T1) and in a follow-up survey 9 months later (T2). Parents’ decision stage regarding their son receiving the HPV vaccine was categorized using the Precaution Adoption Process Model: unaware, unengaged, undecided, decided not to vaccinate, decided to vaccinate, or vaccinated. Parents who moved stages from T1 to T2 responded to open-ended questions, and we used qualitative deductive and inductive methods to analyses data. In parallel, we used quantitative methods to analyses parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Results of quantitative and qualitative analyses were compared and interpreted. Results: Of the 1427 parents who completed the survey at both T1 and T2, 118 parents moved to decided not to vaccinate, 125 moved to decided to vaccinate, and 9 to vaccinated. Qualitative analyses revealed that parents who moved to decided not to vaccinate their son indicated harms, knowledge, and general anti-vaccination attitudes as the top categories for vaccine nonacceptability. These parents also scored lower on HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge scales. Benefits, knowledge, and hearing positive opinions from health care professionals (HCPs) were the most commonly assigned categories for parents who moved to decided to vaccinate their sons. Conclusions: Highlighting the benefits of the vaccine, countering negative stories about the vaccine, and having HCPs provide strong recommendations are critical to increase HPV vaccine uptake in boys.
Cervical cancer kills 300,000 women annually, despite being among the most preventable of all can... more Cervical cancer kills 300,000 women annually, despite being among the most preventable of all cancers, with a well-known cause (human papilloma virus [HPV]), established and successful screening strategies, and effective vaccination and treatments. This chapter examines the reasons for this inconsistency and begins by outlining the epidemiology and public health burden of cervical cancers. It describes HPV vaccine–related successes and challenges in low- and middle-income countries contrasted with high-income countries, with emphasis on the two most populous countries of India and China, before examining issues around strategies for cervical cancer screening in high- and low-resource settings. Following discussion of screening recommendations, the chapter describes barriers and facilitators to vaccination, screening, and testing. It then addresses screening and vaccination messaging and the psychological impact of testing and concludes with future directions.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to: (1) determine the contribution of pre‐cancer psychosocial vulnerabi... more ObjectiveThis study aimed to: (1) determine the contribution of pre‐cancer psychosocial vulnerability as an independent predictor of anxiety disorder (AD) onset immediately post‐treatment in patients diagnosed with a first occurrence of head and neck cancer (HNC), controlling for sociodemographics and medical variables; and (2) estimate prevalence of AD and identify trajectories from the moment of diagnosis to the immediate post‐treatment (i.e., over a period of 3 months) in this population.MethodsTwo‐hundred twenty‐four consecutive patients (participation rate = 72%) newly diagnosed with a primary HNC were assessed with a structured clinical interview for a mental disorder, validated psychometric measures, and medical chart reviews.ResultsTwenty‐five percent of patients presented a lifetime AD, 19.4% within 2 weeks of HNC diagnosis, and 16.6% immediately post‐treatment; representing 26.7% of patients with AD at any timepoint from the moment of diagnosis to immediately post‐treatmen...
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 2021
Background: Measurement advances are needed to enable the study of dyadic-level processes impacti... more Background: Measurement advances are needed to enable the study of dyadic-level processes impacting couples coping with cancer. This study sought to develop and empirically examine a Dyadic Efficacy Scale for Cancer (DESC). Cancer-related dyadic efficacy is an individual's confidence to work together with a partner to cope with cancer and its treatment. Methods: The DESC was developed using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. This paper outlines the psychometric evaluation phase. Individuals with cancer (N = 261) and their partners (N = 217) completed 50 items. Item-level analyses reduced this set to 26 items. Using the dyad as the unit of analysis, confirmatory factor analysis with mirrored patient and partner bifactor structure tested for the presence of a general factor and 3 secondary factors, that is, illness intrusions, patient affect, partner affect. Results: Goodness-of-fit indices supported the identified model, χ 2(1170) = 2090, P < .001; RMSEA = .05, P ...
Cancer has not been an explicit priority of Canada's international health and development age... more Cancer has not been an explicit priority of Canada's international health and development agenda, but it is key to realising the country's Sustainable Development Goal commitments. Multiple converging political, health, and social forces could now drive support for a more integrated Canadian approach to global cancer control. Success will depend on the extent to which Canadian leaders and institutions can build consensus as a community and agree to work together. Collaboration should include agreement on the framing and prioritisation of the core issues, building a broad coalition base, aligning with priorities of international partners, and on a governance structure that reflects the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This Series paper will discuss global cancer control within Canada's global health agenda, how Canada can address its history of colonisation and present-day disparities in its global work, and the challenges and opportunities of creating a Canadian global cancer control network.
ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) has prompted a need to further investigate how this new biom... more ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) has prompted a need to further investigate how this new biomarker changes the head and neck cancer (HNC) psychosocial landscape. This study aimed to: (a) characterize the sociodemographic, psychological, and social profiles of patients with HPV‐positive versus ‐negative squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; and (b) identify how HPV status contributes to anxiety and depression (primary outcome), quality of life (QoL), and sexuality needs.MethodsWe conducted a prospective longitudinal study of 146 patients newly diagnosed with oral, oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancer. Seventy‐nine patients were HPV‐positive and 67 HPV‐negative. Patients completed self‐administered psychometric measures upon HNC and 3‐month follow‐up, and Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM Diagnoses.ResultsPatients with HPV‐negative tumors generally presented with higher anxiety and depression and lower QoL immediately post‐HNC diagnosis (<2 week...
Valid measures of nausea are needed to evaluate the various treatments used to counter the nausea... more Valid measures of nausea are needed to evaluate the various treatments used to counter the nausea produced by chemotherapy. The overall nausea intensity (ONI) produced by 17 chemotherapy drugs was estimated by 17 physicians and 8 nurses, and 25 patients undergoing chemotherapy described the subjective qualities and ONI of their nausea on a modified form of the McGill Pain Questionnaire. The scores for the affective and miscellaneous categories of words in the questionnaire were found to correlate significantly with the physicians' and nurses' ONI estimates. The results formed the basis for the Nausea Questionnaire, which provided three indices of nausea: a nausea rating index (NRI), ONI and intensity of nausea according to a visual analogue scale (VAS). All three indices correlated significantly with the physicians' and nurses' ONI estimates and were significantly intercorrelated. All three also provided significant differences when the scores of patients who had received cisplatin or 5-fluorouracil were compared. The results indicate that the Nausea Questionnaire provides three valid indices of the subjective experience of nausea.
6063 Background: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of genetic pre... more 6063 Background: The primary aim of this study was to investigate the contribution of genetic predisposition to depression, through polygenic risk scores (PRS), on quality of life levels in patients with head and neck cancer (HNC) immediately post-treatment period (i.e., 3 months post-diagnosis). Methods: Prospective longitudinal study of 223 consecutive adult patients with HNC (72% participation) newly diagnosed with a first occurrence of primary HNC, including saliva samples analyzed using the Illumina PsychChip, psychometric measures, Structured Clinical DSM Interviews, and medical chart reviews. Results: Level of quality of life at 3 months on the FACT-G+H&N was predicted by (r2 = 0.51, r2 adj. = 0.33, p = 0.001) the polygenic risk score for depression (standardized b = -0.28, p = 0.01) and a previous history of suicidal ideation (standardized b = -0.25, p = 0.04). Other variables were non-significant in the analyses: sociodemographic (i.e., age, sex, education, living alone), p...
Objectives Since 2018, four establishments in Quebec have been instrumental in implementing the P... more Objectives Since 2018, four establishments in Quebec have been instrumental in implementing the PAROLE-Onco program, which introduced accompanying patients (APs) in healthcare teams to improve cancer patients’ experience. APs are patient advisors who have acquired specific experiential knowledge related to living with cancer, using services, and interacting with healthcare professionals. They are therefore in a unique and reliable position to be able to provide emotional, informational, cognitive and navigational support to patients dealing with cancer. We aimed to explore APs’ perspectives regarding the limiting and facilitating factors in terms of how they are integrated into the clinical oncology teams. Methods A qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews and focus groups was conducted with 20 APs at the beginning of their intervention (T1) and two years afterwards (T2). Limiting and facilitating factors of APs’ integration into clinical teams were analyzed in terms of...
IntroductionSince 2018, four establishments in Quebec, Canada, have decided to implement the PARO... more IntroductionSince 2018, four establishments in Quebec, Canada, have decided to implement the PAROLE‐Onco programme, which introduced accompanying patients (APs) in healthcare teams to improve the experience of cancer patients. APs are patient advisors who have had a cancer treatment experience and who conduct consultations to complement the service offered by providing emotional, informational and educational support to patients undergoing treatments (e.g., radiotherapy, chemotherapy, surgery), mostly for breast cancer. We aimed to explore the evolution of APs' perspectives regarding their activities within the clinical oncology teams as well as the perceived effects of their intervention with patients, the clinical team and themselves.MethodsA qualitative study based on semistructured interviews and focus groups was conducted with APs at the beginning of their intervention (T1) and 2 years afterwards (T2). The themes discussed were APs' activities and the perceived effects ...
ObjectiveHead and neck cancer (HNC) treatments are known to significantly affect functionality an... more ObjectiveHead and neck cancer (HNC) treatments are known to significantly affect functionality and appearance, leading to an increased risk for body image disturbances. Yet, few longitudinal studies exist to examine body image in these patients. Based on a conceptual model, the current study aimed to determine, in patients newly diagnosed with HNC: (1) the prevalence, level, and course of body image concerns; (2) correlates of upon cancer diagnosis (pre-treatment) body image concerns; (3) predictors of immediate post-treatment body image concerns; and (4) association between body image concerns and levels of anxiety, depression, suicidal ideation, support (i.e., satisfaction with support from physician, social/family wellbeing, and unmet support needs), and alcohol and drug misuse.MethodsTwo hundred and twenty-three (participation rate = 72%), newly diagnosed with a primary HNC were assessed using structured clinical interviews and psychometric measures at three, and 6 months after ...
The Canadian Journal of Infectious Diseases & Medical Microbiology = Journal Canadien des Maladies Infectieuses et de la Microbiologie Medicale, Sep 1, 2008
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 2022
Abstract Background: Most sexually active adults are infected with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV)... more Abstract Background: Most sexually active adults are infected with the Human Papillomavirus (HPV) in their lifetime and about 3800 Canadians are diagnosed each year with a HPV attributable cancer. Although highly effective HPV vaccines exist, the HPV is responsible for 4.5% of all cancers worldwide, that include cervical, anal, vaginal/vulvar, penile, and oropharyngeal cancers. The present HPV vaccine uptake rate for boys in Canada is well below the target set by the Canadian government. This study aimed to analyze the motives that influence a change in parents’ HPV vaccine-decision-making status for their sons over time. Methods: Data were collected using a web-based survey that measured knowledge, attitudes, beliefs, and behaviors regarding HPV vaccination. Canadian parents of boys aged 9 to 12 completed the survey at baseline (T1) and in a follow-up survey 9 months later (T2). Parents’ decision stage regarding their son receiving the HPV vaccine was categorized using the Precaution Adoption Process Model: unaware, unengaged, undecided, decided not to vaccinate, decided to vaccinate, or vaccinated. Parents who moved stages from T1 to T2 responded to open-ended questions, and we used qualitative deductive and inductive methods to analyses data. In parallel, we used quantitative methods to analyses parents’ knowledge, attitudes, and beliefs. Results of quantitative and qualitative analyses were compared and interpreted. Results: Of the 1427 parents who completed the survey at both T1 and T2, 118 parents moved to decided not to vaccinate, 125 moved to decided to vaccinate, and 9 to vaccinated. Qualitative analyses revealed that parents who moved to decided not to vaccinate their son indicated harms, knowledge, and general anti-vaccination attitudes as the top categories for vaccine nonacceptability. These parents also scored lower on HPV and HPV vaccine knowledge scales. Benefits, knowledge, and hearing positive opinions from health care professionals (HCPs) were the most commonly assigned categories for parents who moved to decided to vaccinate their sons. Conclusions: Highlighting the benefits of the vaccine, countering negative stories about the vaccine, and having HCPs provide strong recommendations are critical to increase HPV vaccine uptake in boys.
Cervical cancer kills 300,000 women annually, despite being among the most preventable of all can... more Cervical cancer kills 300,000 women annually, despite being among the most preventable of all cancers, with a well-known cause (human papilloma virus [HPV]), established and successful screening strategies, and effective vaccination and treatments. This chapter examines the reasons for this inconsistency and begins by outlining the epidemiology and public health burden of cervical cancers. It describes HPV vaccine–related successes and challenges in low- and middle-income countries contrasted with high-income countries, with emphasis on the two most populous countries of India and China, before examining issues around strategies for cervical cancer screening in high- and low-resource settings. Following discussion of screening recommendations, the chapter describes barriers and facilitators to vaccination, screening, and testing. It then addresses screening and vaccination messaging and the psychological impact of testing and concludes with future directions.
ObjectiveThis study aimed to: (1) determine the contribution of pre‐cancer psychosocial vulnerabi... more ObjectiveThis study aimed to: (1) determine the contribution of pre‐cancer psychosocial vulnerability as an independent predictor of anxiety disorder (AD) onset immediately post‐treatment in patients diagnosed with a first occurrence of head and neck cancer (HNC), controlling for sociodemographics and medical variables; and (2) estimate prevalence of AD and identify trajectories from the moment of diagnosis to the immediate post‐treatment (i.e., over a period of 3 months) in this population.MethodsTwo‐hundred twenty‐four consecutive patients (participation rate = 72%) newly diagnosed with a primary HNC were assessed with a structured clinical interview for a mental disorder, validated psychometric measures, and medical chart reviews.ResultsTwenty‐five percent of patients presented a lifetime AD, 19.4% within 2 weeks of HNC diagnosis, and 16.6% immediately post‐treatment; representing 26.7% of patients with AD at any timepoint from the moment of diagnosis to immediately post‐treatmen...
Journal of Psychosocial Oncology Research & Practice, 2021
Background: Measurement advances are needed to enable the study of dyadic-level processes impacti... more Background: Measurement advances are needed to enable the study of dyadic-level processes impacting couples coping with cancer. This study sought to develop and empirically examine a Dyadic Efficacy Scale for Cancer (DESC). Cancer-related dyadic efficacy is an individual's confidence to work together with a partner to cope with cancer and its treatment. Methods: The DESC was developed using an exploratory sequential mixed methods design. This paper outlines the psychometric evaluation phase. Individuals with cancer (N = 261) and their partners (N = 217) completed 50 items. Item-level analyses reduced this set to 26 items. Using the dyad as the unit of analysis, confirmatory factor analysis with mirrored patient and partner bifactor structure tested for the presence of a general factor and 3 secondary factors, that is, illness intrusions, patient affect, partner affect. Results: Goodness-of-fit indices supported the identified model, χ 2(1170) = 2090, P < .001; RMSEA = .05, P ...
Cancer has not been an explicit priority of Canada's international health and development age... more Cancer has not been an explicit priority of Canada's international health and development agenda, but it is key to realising the country's Sustainable Development Goal commitments. Multiple converging political, health, and social forces could now drive support for a more integrated Canadian approach to global cancer control. Success will depend on the extent to which Canadian leaders and institutions can build consensus as a community and agree to work together. Collaboration should include agreement on the framing and prioritisation of the core issues, building a broad coalition base, aligning with priorities of international partners, and on a governance structure that reflects the principles of equity, diversity, and inclusion. This Series paper will discuss global cancer control within Canada's global health agenda, how Canada can address its history of colonisation and present-day disparities in its global work, and the challenges and opportunities of creating a Canadian global cancer control network.
ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) has prompted a need to further investigate how this new biom... more ObjectivesHuman papillomavirus (HPV) has prompted a need to further investigate how this new biomarker changes the head and neck cancer (HNC) psychosocial landscape. This study aimed to: (a) characterize the sociodemographic, psychological, and social profiles of patients with HPV‐positive versus ‐negative squamous cell carcinoma of the head and neck; and (b) identify how HPV status contributes to anxiety and depression (primary outcome), quality of life (QoL), and sexuality needs.MethodsWe conducted a prospective longitudinal study of 146 patients newly diagnosed with oral, oropharyngeal, nasopharyngeal, and hypopharyngeal cancer. Seventy‐nine patients were HPV‐positive and 67 HPV‐negative. Patients completed self‐administered psychometric measures upon HNC and 3‐month follow‐up, and Structured Clinical Interviews for DSM Diagnoses.ResultsPatients with HPV‐negative tumors generally presented with higher anxiety and depression and lower QoL immediately post‐HNC diagnosis (<2 week...
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Papers by Zeev Rosberger