This study focuses on body image discomfort (BID) of 50 adolescent and young adult (AYA) hematologic cancer survivors (age range 15-23; 52% males). The study results were obtained through data from a self-report questionnaire: the Body Uneasiness Test. Findings differed according to gender: a greater proportion of females were in the Risk category of impaired body image than males (χ = 5.258, p < 0.05). No significant body image differences were found according to the type of diagnosis or to the length of survival. To manage survivors' BIDs and to improve their quality of life, assessing BID in AYA cancer survivors is important for identifying those who might be in need of additional supportive care or a program.

BackgroundThere is evidence that stressors may trigger the onset of a depressive episode in vulnerable women. A new UK interview measure, the Contextual Assessment of the Maternity Experience (CAME), was designed to assess major risk factors for emotional disturbances, especially depression, during pregnancy and post-partum.AimsWithin the context of a cros-scultural study, to establish the use fulness of the CAME, and to test expected associations of the measure with characteristics of the social context and with major or minor depression.MethodThe CAME was administered antenatally and postnatally in ten study sites, respectively to 296 and 249 women. Affective disorder throughout pregnancy and upto 6 month spostnatally was assessed by means of the Structured Clinical Interview for DSM–IV Axis I Disorders.ResultsAdversity, poor relationship with either a partner or a confidant, and negative feelings about the pregnancy all predicted onset of depression during the perinatal period.ConclusionsThe CAME was able to assess major domains relevant to the psychosocial context of the maternity experience in different cultures. Overall, the instrument showed acceptable psychometric properties in its first use in different cultural settings.

The EOL in children with advanced CNS cancer is a period of active medical care. Patients may develop complex neurological symptoms and often require long hospitalization. We organized a network-based collaboration among the reference pediatric oncology center, other pediatric hospitals and domiciliary care personnel, with the aim to ameliorate the quality of care during the EOL period. In our cohort, palliative sedation was widely used while no patients died with uncontrolled pain. A precise process of data collection and a better sharing of knowledge are necessary in order to improve the management of such patients.

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BackgroundTo provide successful transfer from childhood to adult-oriented healthcare is one of the priorities of survivorship care plans.PurposeThis study describes adolescent and young adult childhood cancer survivors’ conditions at the moment of the transition to adult care deepening their biological, psychological, social and assistant state and their associations with socio-demographic and clinical characteristics.MethodsA biopsychosocial check-list in four health domains (biological, psychological, social and assistant) was filled in by healthcare professionals (oncologists, psychologists, social workers and nurses) through qualitative interviews and clinical observations of 79 survivors (58% boys; Mage= 20 years old) at the moment of the transition from the Pediatric Oncology Unit to the Transition Unit of the Childhood Cancer Survivors.ResultsAt the moment of transition, 38% of survivors showed a positive condition in all the four health domains without any kind of impairment. Biological (37%) and psychological areas (44%) were found to be those with major incidence of impairments. Association phenomena were found between psychological and social condition (p < 0.05) and between social and assistant condition (p < 0.05). Biological condition was also significantly associated with the type of cancer (χ = 6,2414, p < 0.05).ConclusionAlthough many survivors entered in adult care system without any impairment, the biopsychosocial approach highlighted that there is a presence of impairments in at least one of the main health domains.