No abstract

There is a dearth of research highlighting breast health and breast cancer screening information needs of women from minority ethnic groups. In providing information, their needs appear to have been an 'add on'. Health care professionals' lack of understanding about cultural beliefs, values and knowledge, together with racial stereotyping and misconceptions about cancer in minority ethnic groups, pose challenges to information dissemination. Health care professionals need to work collaboratively with women from minority ethnic groups, identifying culturally-specific beliefs and values about breast cancer, breast cancer risk and screening, in order to develop appropriate and acceptable information and dissemination strategies.

Background and purpose: Physical activity can improve the mental and physical functioning of older people. This study investigated the impact of Tai Chi exercise on the quality of life of older men. Materials and methods: This randomized controlled clinical trial was conducted on 132 older men in an urban area of Iran. The subjects were randomly assigned into two groups: a Tai Chi intervention group and a control group (n = 66 per group). Quality of life was evaluated using the Leiden Padua quality of life questionnaire before and after the intervention. Data analysis was performed using analytical statistics via the SPSS software. Results: After eight weeks of Tai Chi exercise, the mean scores of quality of life in different areas demonstrated a statistically significant difference between the two groups (p<0 .05). Conclusion: This study illustrated that the 8-week Tai Chi intervention had a positive effect on the quality of life in older men.

Local specialist lymphoedema clinics can make a positive difference. They may be cost-effective and further investigation, including economic evaluation is necessary.

Noisy rattling breathing in dying patients is a symptom control problem which has attracted only a fleeting mention within the literature. This study investigated palliative care nurses' feelings about the problem and the management of noisy rattling breathing in dying patients. The aspects studied were based on the literature and multidis-ciplinary team discussion, and included nurses' feelings about the distress caused by noisy rattling breathing, their perceived confidence in providing related nursing care and their thoughts and feelings about the established care options. Data were gathered from a convenience sample of twenty three palliative care nurses by means of a questionnaire. This data was analysed using descriptive statistics. The results revealed that nurses perceived relatives to be particularly distressed by noisy rattling breathing, Several nurses felt that they lacked confidence in providing related nursing care and there was a felt need for clinical guidelines. The limitations of the study are discussed and the conclusion highlights the need for further research into this symptom control problem.