May 31, 2018   SOURCE: PR NewsWire

Cancer Support Community Releases Research at ASCO

Cancer Support Community Releases Research at ASCO

WASHINGTON, May 31, 2018 /PRNewswire-USNewswire/ -- As part of the upcoming American Society of Clinical Oncology's (ASCO) annual conference in Chicago, June 1(st) through the 4(th), the Cancer Support Community (CSC), a global nonprofit, will release three new research studies. The first two research abstracts cover the experiences of patients diagnosed with melanoma and gastric cancer, the third abstract examined patients' views on nutrition and weight.

The abstracts reveal that patients are encountering challenges communicating with their health care teams (HCT), which adversely affect views of their treatment experience.

"Whether it is the cost of care, treatment options, or nutrition, patients are identifying communication gaps with their medical care teams," said Linda House, president of CSC. "As we gather for the world's largest cancer-related conference, we will focus on working with the health care community to ensure they know about this feedback and can address these concerns with the individuals they are serving."

    --  Melanoma: This study examined patient priorities in making melanoma
        treatment decisions and satisfaction with HCT communication. RTI
        gathered information from 72 melanoma survivors enrolled in CSC's Cancer
        Experience Registry. It revealed that many melanoma survivors did not
        feel fully knowledgeable about nor were prepared to discuss treatment
        options with their HCT, and were not satisfied with cost of care
        discussions. The results support enhanced HCT communication around
        treatment options, especially regarding the impact of treatment on
        symptom burden and finances.
    --  Gastric Cancer (GC): In this study, 50 gastric cancer survivors of
        varying GC types from the Cancer Experience Registry rated the
        importance of cost of care, length of life, quality of life, and family
        impact on treatment decision options. Similar to the melanoma study,
        these findings suggested patients were unsatisfied with cost of care
        discussions and that enhanced HCT communication about treatment options,
        especially regarding finances and symptom burden, is needed.
    --  Eating and Nutrition: In this study, researchers examined the
        association between patient physical and psychosocial well-being and
        their level of comfort and confidence in talking to their HCT about
        nutrition and weight, changes in muscle tone and fitness, and fatigue.
        The data suggested that a patient's body image perception is related to
        their comfort with talking to their HCT about weight and nutrition,
        changes in muscle tone and fitness, and fatigue, as well as their
        confidence that their HCT understands and can help with these concerns.

More information at www.CancerSupportCommunity.org

Media Contact:
Ted Miller
TMiller@CancerSupportCommunity.org

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SOURCE The Cancer Support Community