Related Experiment Video
Updated: May 2, 2026
06:03
Integrating Augmented Reality Tools in Breast Cancer Related Lymphedema Prognostication and Diagnosis
Published on: February 6, 2020
6.0K
Asking questions during breast cancer consultations: does being alone or being accompanied make a difference?
L Del Piccolo1, C Goss1, A Bottacini1
1Department of Public Health and Community Medicine, Section of Clinical Psychology, University of Verona, Policlinico G.B. Rossi, Piazzale L.A. Scuro 10, 37134 Verona, Italy.
Summary
Most breast cancer patients attend consultations with a companion, who supports them without reducing patient involvement. Companionship did not significantly increase the number of questions asked during these important cancer consultations.
Area of Science:
- Oncology
- Psycho-oncology
- Health Services Research
Background:
- Companions frequently attend cancer consultations with patients.
- Patient and companion questions indicate active participation.
- Understanding the role of companions in breast cancer consultations is crucial.
Purpose of the Study:
- To describe characteristics of accompanied vs. unaccompanied Italian breast cancer patients.
- To analyze companion contributions to question-asking during consultations.
Main Methods:
- Audio recording of 70 breast cancer consultations.
- Transcription and coding of patient and companion questions.
- Collection of socio-demographic, clinical, and decision-making data.
Main Results:
- 69% of patients were accompanied, typically by a family member.
- Accompanied patients were more likely to be non-employed or prefer a passive role.
- Accompanied and unaccompanied patients showed similar anxiety and distress levels.
- Companions did not significantly increase the total number of questions asked.
Conclusions:
- Differences between accompanied and unaccompanied patients were mainly socio-demographic.
- Companions provide support and share information without diminishing patient engagement.
- The presence of a companion does not negatively impact patient involvement in consultations.
Related Concept Videos
01:15Techniques of therapeutic communication I: Active Listening, Sharing Observations, Validation, and Using Touch
8.0K
The history of therapeutic communication can be traced back to Florence Nightingale, who emphasized the importance of developing trusting relationships with patients. She taught that the presence of nurses with patients results in therapeutic healing.
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
Therapeutic communication is not the same as social interaction. Social interaction has no goal or purpose and consists of casual information sharing, whereas therapeutic communication has a plan or purpose for the conversation. Therapeutic...
8.0K
01:21Cancer Survival Analysis
863
Cancer survival analysis focuses on quantifying and interpreting the time from a key starting point, such as diagnosis or the initiation of treatment, to a specific endpoint, such as remission or death. This analysis provides critical insights into treatment effectiveness and factors that influence patient outcomes, helping to shape clinical decisions and guide prognostic evaluations. A cornerstone of oncology research, survival analysis tackles the challenges of skewed, non-normally...
863
02:09Bystander Effect
9.5K
The discussion of bullying highlights the problem of witnesses not intervening to help a victim. This is a common occurrence, as the following well-publicized event demonstrates. In 1964, in Queens, New York, a 19-year-old woman named Kitty Genovese was attacked by a person with a knife near the back entrance to her apartment building and again in the hallway inside her apartment building. When the attack occurred, she screamed for help numerous times and eventually died from her stab wounds.
9.5K
02:49Cancer Therapies
8.5K
Cancer therapies are various modes of treatment, such as surgery, radiation therapy, and chemotherapy that are administered to cancer patients.
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
However, cancer treatments can pose several challenges, as therapies used to kill cancer cells are generally also toxic to normal cells. Moreover, cancer cells mutate rapidly and can develop resistance to chemical agents or radiation therapy. Besides, all types of cancer cells may not respond to the same therapy. Some cancer cells respond to one...
8.5K
01:29Data Collection II
9.5K
The nursing history captures and records the patient's health status, so that a care plan evolves to meet the patient's individual needs. The nursing health history is a part of the initial assessment. A comprehensive history covers all health dimensions and plays a significant role in the assessment process. A comprehensive history includes the patient's biographical information, reasons for seeking health care, expectations, present and past health history, medications, and...
9.5K
02:59Cancer Prevention
6.5K
Several factors can increase the risk of cancer in an individual. About 50% of cancer cases can be prevented by adopting a healthy lifestyle, regular exercise, eating healthy, and following a modest cancer prevention diet. Epidemiological studies have consistently shown that populations with vegetable and fruit-rich diets have reduced the incidence of cancer. On the other hand, populations who have a diet rich in animal fat, red meat, junk food, or high calories are predisposed to cancer.
Some...
Some...
6.5K