Conectar
by Pimwarat Srikummoon, Patrinee Traisathit, Wimrak Onchan, Chagkrit Ditsatham, Natthapat Thongsak, Nawapon Nakharutai, Salinee Thumronglaohapun, Titaporn Supasri, Phonpat Hemwan, Imjai Chitapanarux
Luminal A is the most common subtype of breast cancer and has the best prognosis comparing to the others. The association between air pollution and survival of breast cancer have been reported but not specific to this subtype. We examined pollutant distributions over a decade in upper Northern Thailand, the area of high average annual particulate matter levels, and their impact on the mortality and recurrence risks of patients with luminal A breast cancer. Retrospective data of 1,305 luminal A breast cancer patients diagnosed from 2003 to 2018 were enrolled to this study. Cox proportional hazard models were used to identify factors associated with mortality and recurrence risks including all known risk factors and the annually averaged concentrations of pollutants. On multivariable analysis; metastatic stage (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR) =10.50; 95% confidence interval (95%CI): 7.23–15.25), smoking history (aHR = 1.72; 95% CI: 1.14–2.60), and age ≥ 50 years old (aHR = 1.46; 95% CI: 1.13–1.90) were significant factors influencing mortality risk. Factors contributing to recurrence risk included metastatic stage (aHR) 4.96 (95% CI: 2.78–8.83) and exposure to the time-updated local concentration of PM10 > 55 µg/m3 (aHR = 1.68; 95% CI: 1.16–2.45). Exposure to air pollutants is one of the detrimental factors affected to recurrence and mortality in luminal A subtype breast cancer.To examine the information needs of breast cancer patients during the initial phase of treatment and to analyse the factors that influenced these needs.
Providing comprehensive and timely information during early breast cancer treatment is crucial for informed decision-making and effective coping. Healthcare providers must address these needs to enhance patient support and improve outcomes.
A cross-sectional study was reported following the Strengthening the Reporting of Observational Studies in Epidemiology (STROBE) guidelines.
A total of 123 post-mastectomy patients were selected through purposive sampling and completed the Thai version of the Sri Lankan Information Needs Assessment Questionnaire-BC (SINAQ-BC). Direct associations between demographic data and information needs were analysed descriptively, while bivariate analysis and linear regression were used to identify significant predictors of information needs.
The findings revealed that patients exhibited high overall information needs (224.7/260.0), with the greatest demand focused on physical care, treatment and diagnosis. In contrast, needs related to disease specifics and psychosocial care were less prominent. A total of 94 respondents (76.4%) expressed a particularly high demand for information regarding physical care. Education level was identified as an influencing factor, accounting for 7.7% of the variance in information needs among women with breast cancer.
Patients with higher education levels had significantly greater information needs. Nursing staff should provide customised information packages that are tailored to the participants' education levels. Further testing of the Thai version of the SLINQ-BC would also be warranted.
Patients are increasingly expected to manage their own care even as medical treatment grows more complex and technical. Nursing staff can contribute to the care of patients by being ready to evaluate, monitor and address breast cancer patient's individual information needs in the early stage of treatment based on factors such as educational level.
No patient or public contribution because the nature of the study's design, data analysis and writing did not require patient or public contribution.
FreshRSS 