Inevitably, due to increased survival and associated resource issues, opportunities for follow-up and support will be reduced. We delivered and evaluated an intervention which supported the transition from cancer patient to cancer survivor, for breast cancer patients being discharged to primary care. Methods: We delivered and evaluated a pilot of a patient-centred group intervention ‘Preparing Patients for Discharge’, aimed at reducing distress. Between January and September 2008,

172 participants were recruited and 74 (43%) expressed an interest in participating in the intervention; 32 of 74 took part, and participated in its evaluation using a semi-structured evaluation questionnaire, standardized measures [Hospital Anxiety HM781-36B supplier and Depression Scale (HADS) and Clinical Outcomes GW4869 price for Routine Evaluation (CORE)] and independent qualitative interviews. Results: The qualitative analysis of questionnaire data indicated key factors were 1) shared experience, 2) support and reassurance, and 3) positive views about cancer and being discharged. The interview data revealed that the intervention enabled participants to: share

experiences, focus on 4 emotional needs, and have open discussions about recurrence, while increasing confidence in being discharged and using alternative support services. However, no significant differences were found in pre-post-interventions scores of HADS and CORE. Conclusions: Providing a structured group PF-00299804 supplier intervention approach for breast cancer patients offers an early opportunity to support cancer survivors and facilitate and encourage self-management. (C) 2013 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.”
“Background/Aims: Rapid hepatic recurrence is sometimes experienced after gastric or pancreatobiliary cancer surgery. The aim of this study was to investigate the risk factors for the timing of hepatic recurrence.\n\nMethodology: The medical records of 20 patients who had hepatic

recurrence after either a gastrectomy for gastric cancer (11 patients) or a pancreatoduodenectomy for pancreatobiliary cancer (9 patients) between 2002 and 2007 were retrospectively reviewed. The cumulative recurrence rate of liver metastasis was calculated using the Kaplan-Meier method, and 14 possible factors affecting the rapid hepatic recurrence were analyzed by univariate and multivariate analyses.\n\nResults: The median time for the hepatic recurrence after the operation was 4.9 months (range 1 to 20.4 months). Among 1.4 factors, only postoperative infectious complications significantly accelerated the hepatic recurrence based on a univariate analysis (p=0.049). Two more factors, gastric cancer and preoperative tumor marker elevation, had a tendency to affect the rapid recurrence, but did not show statistical significance (both p=0.06). A multivariate analysis revealed that postoperative infectious complications (p=0.005) and gastric cancer (p=0.04) were significant and independent factors.