Cancer is associated with discomfort and many changes in patients’ lives to which they must adapt. The main objective of the study was to assess the use of the mini-MAC questionnaire scale among persons diagnosed with malignant cancer and to develop standards allowing differentiation of patients with diagnosed cancer in terms of their style of adjustment to the disease. The mini-MAC questionnaire is a widely used tool in assessing coping strategies among cancer patients. Sten standards have been developed to determine the level of results on the questionnaire scales in the low–average–high categories. The study included 1187 patients diagnosed with malignant cancer who are covered by outpatient care at the Maria Sklodowska-Curie Institute—Oncology Center in Warsaw. The questionnaire concerning mental adjustment to cancer was used (mini-MAC). Patients with cancer most often adopt strategies of fighting spirit and positive reevaluation. The variables that differentiate the results most significantly include gender, presence of metastasis, and the state of undergoing chemotherapy. The mini-MAC questionnaire should be a tool for psycho-oncological diagnosis of patients’ attitudes towards cancer. The obtained results indicate that cancer patients are characterized by their constructive style of adjustment to the disease.

Colorectal cancer is one of the most common cancers in Europe and the world. Cancer treatments have side effects and cause significant deterioration of the patient’s nutritional status. Patient malnutrition may worsen the health condition and prevent the deliberate effects of the therapy. The aim of this review was to describe the available data about clinical nutrition in colorectal cancer patients. A large proportion of colorectal cancer patients suffer from malnutrition, which negatively affects the survival prognosis, quality of life, and oncological therapy. Therefore, monitoring nutritional status during the treatment is essential and can be used to arrange proper nutritional therapy to enhance patient responses, prevent side effects, and shorten recovery time. The principles of nutrition during anticancer therapy should mainly consider light and low-fat foods, the exclusion of lactose and gluten-containing foods in certain cases, or the introduction of special dietary products such as oral nutrition supplements and it should be tailored to patients’ individual needs.

This study aimed to assess and compare the nutritional status and life quality of patients with chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD) and systemic sclerosis (SSc). Thirty patients with stable COPD and 32 patients with SSc were examined. In all patients, the following parameters were measured: fat mass, fat-free mass, total body water, FEV1, and blood gases. COPD patients' life quality was assessed with St. George's Respiratory Questionnaire, and in SSc patients with a Quality of Life Questionnaire. The results show that among COPD patients 13% had normal body weight, 60% were obese, and 27% were overweight. In SSc patients, 59% had normal body weight, 31% were overweight, 1 patient was obese, and 2 were underweight. The mean life quality score in COPD patients was 57.3±16.5, while that in SSc patients was 35.8±18.2. COPD patients had a statistically significant lower life quality than SSc patients. The mean value of FEV1 was 45.5±12.2% pred. in COPD patients, and 86.8±21.2% pred. in the SSc group. We conclude that nutritional disorders are more frequent in COPD patients compared to those with SSc.

Background: Breast, ovarian, and endometrial cancer are among the most common causes of morbidity and mortality of women in Poland. In 2016, breast cancer was the most common cause of morbidity and the second leading cause of cancer deaths in women, endometrial cancer was the third most common cause of morbidity and the seventh leading cause of death, and ovarian cancer was the fifth most common cause of morbidity and the fourth leading cause of cancer deaths in women. The aim of the study was to assess the strategy of pain control, acceptance of the cancer and adjustment to life with disease in women with ovarian cancer, endometrial and breast cancer. This study shows how level of pain control, acceptance, and adjustment can differ among patients with the three kinds of cancer and which factors have the most influence on patients’ adjustment to the disease. Methods: The study was carried out with 481 patients diagnosed with ovarian cancer, endometrial and breast cancer. In the study BPCQ, CSQ, AIS and Mini-MAC questionnaires were used. Results: In the BPCQ questionnaire the highest result was acquired in the scope of the impact of doctors (M = 16.45, SD = 4.30), differentiated by cancer location and socio-economic variables. In the CSQ test, the highest result was achieved by praying/hoping, differentiated by cancer location and socio-economic variables. The average AIS acceptance score was M = 27.48 (SD = 7.68). The highest result of the Mini-Mac scale was obtained by patients in the area of fighting spirit (M = 22.94, SD = 3.62), and these results depended on socio-economic and treatment-related variables but were not differentiated by cancer location. Conclusions: Patients attribute the highest importance in the disease to the influence of physicians, praying/hoping, and fighting spirit. The awareness of the pain management strategies of patients with cancer allows appropriate psychological support to be designed for specific groups of patients.

Pancreatic cancer (PC) is the seventh leading cause of cancer death across the world. Poor prognosis of PC is associated with several factors, such as diagnosis at an advanced stage, early distant metastases, and remarkable resistance to most conventional treatment options. The pathogenesis of PC seems to be significantly more complicated than originally assumed, and findings in other solid tumours cannot be extrapolated to this malignancy. To develop effective treatment schemes prolonging patient survival, a multidirectional approach encompassing different aspects of the cancer is needed. Particular directions have been established; however, further studies bringing them all together and connecting the strengths of each therapy are needed. This review summarises the current literature and provides an overview of new or emerging therapeutic strategies for the more effective management of metastatic PC.