The aim of this study is to provide a systematic overview of the scientific literature on sociodemographic, psychological and social determinants that may facilitate or hamper lifestyle change after the diagnosis cancer. Four databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Cumulative Index to Nursing and Allied Health Literature (CINAHL), and Web of Science) were searched for relevant papers up to October 2021. Of the 9586 references yielded by the literature search, 123 papers were included: 71 quantitative and 52 qualitative papers. Findings showed a large variety of determinants influencing lifestyle change after cancer diagnosis, with differences between lifestyle behaviors (physical activity, diet, smoking, alcohol, sun protection, and multiple lifestyle behaviors) and findings from quantitative vs. qualitative studies. Findings demonstrate the important role of oncology healthcare professionals in promoting healthy lifestyle changes in cancer survivors. In addition, findings inform researchers involved in the development of health promotion programs about the methods and strategies they can use to promote healthy lifestyle changes in cancer survivors. Favorable lifestyle changes are expected to have beneficial effects on cancer risk and overall health in cancer survivors.

The aim of the present study was to investigate the associations between partners’ ways of providing support (both active engagement and protective buffering) and distress in women with breast cancer as a function of patients’ awareness of the support received and their sense of mastery. These associations were investigated both cross-sectionally and longitudinally (i.e. changes in distress over time). At 3 months (T1) after diagnosis, women with breast cancer and their partners (n = 82 couples) were assessed regarding partners’ supportive behaviour. Women also indicated their sense of mastery. At both 3 and 9 months (T2) after diagnosis, women reported their level of distress. Cross-sectional as well as longitudinal analyses showed that active engagement was unrelated to distress, regardless of patients’ awareness of the support received and their feelings of mastery. In contrast, perceived protective buffering was found to be associated with more concurrent distress (i.e. cross-sectionally). Moreover, protective buffering that was reported by partners but remained unnoticed by patients was associated with higher levels of concurrent distress, but only for patients who were low in mastery. Over time, protective buffering that remained unnoticed by patients was associated with more distress, regardless of women's sense of mastery.

Purpose: The purpose of this study was to systematically review the literature on the association between adverse childhood events (ACEs) and mental health problems in cancer survivors. Methods: This review was conducted in line with PRISMA (Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses) guidelines. Four databases (PubMed, PsychINFO, Web of Science, and Cochrane) were searched on 27–08-2023. Results: Of the 1413 references yielded by the literature search, 25 papers met inclusion criteria and were reviewed. Most studies were performed in the USA, most included breast cancer survivors, and the number of included participants ranged between 20 and 1343. ACEs were relatively prevalent, with self-report rates ranging between 40 and 95%. Having been exposed to ACEs was a risk factor for heightened levels of emotional distress, anxiety, depressive symptoms, and fatigue during cancer treatment. Results varied depending on the variables included, and per subscale, but were consistent across different cultures and heterogenous patient groups. Conclusion: The association between ACE and mental health outcomes was significant in most studies. In order to improve treatment for this vulnerable population, it may be necessary to screen for ACEs before cancer treatment and adjust treatment, for example, by means of trauma-informed care (TIC), which recognizes and responds to the impact of trauma on individuals seeking healthcare.

Background: Chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) is a common side effect of chemotherapy, especially after taxane-based therapy. This study aimed to examine the relationship between symptoms of anxiety and depression before the start of taxane-based chemotherapy and the development of CIPN in women with breast cancer. Methods: In this prospective study, women with breast cancer receiving taxane-based (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy were recruited from four hospitals in the Netherlands. Patients completed questionnaires assessing anxiety and depressive symptoms before treatment and CIPN before treatment (T0), 6 weeks after start of treatment (T1), after the last cycle of chemotherapy (T2), and 6 months after the end of treatment (T3). Mixed model analyses were used to investigate whether medium/high levels of anxiety or depression at baseline are associated with the level of CIPN during and after treatment. Results: Among the 61 participating women, 14 (23%) reported medium/high levels of anxiety and 29 (47.5%) reported medium/high levels of depressive symptoms at baseline. The group of women with medium/high baseline levels of anxiety showed a significantly higher increase in CIPN during and after chemotherapy than women with low baseline levels of anxiety (p < .001). No relationship between depressive symptoms at baseline and the development of CIPN was found. Conclusion: This study showed that baseline medium to high levels of anxiety but not depressive symptoms impacted the development of CIPN during and in the 6 months after treatment.

Background: Inflammation has been reported to drive cancer‐related fatigue (CRF). As both obesity and chemotherapy promote inflammatory responses, obese cancer patients may be at risk of more severe CRF, especially when receiving chemotherapy. Methods: We analysed data of 333 colon cancer patients from four hospitals in the Netherlands (data derived from the PROCORE study). Fatigue was assessed with the general fatigue subscale of the Multidimensional Fatigue Inventory at four timepoints: at inclusion (T1), 4 weeks after surgery (T2), and 1 (T3) and 2 years (T4) after diagnosis. Linear mixed‐effects models were applied to evaluate the interaction between chemotherapy and body mass index (BMI) on the trajectory of fatigue. Results: The two‐way interactions between time and chemotherapy ( p = 0.047) and between time and BMI on fatigue ( p = 0.041) were significant. Patients scheduled for chemotherapy reported more fatigue during the treatment phase, while patients not treated with chemotherapy showed a stable trajectory. Obese patients reported more fatigue at follow‐up compared to patients with a healthy BMI. The three‐way interaction between time, chemotherapy and BMI was not significant ( p = 0.39). However, obese chemotherapy‐treated patients reported the highest fatigue 2 years after treatment (12.8, 95% CI: 10.6–14.9). Their mean fatigue score was higher compared to baseline (9.2, 95% CI: 7.3–11.0, p < 0.001) and obese patients not treated with chemotherapy (9.6, 95% CI: 7.0–12.2, p = 0.02). Moreover, this group reported more fatigue compared to healthy (8.1, 95% CI: 5.5–10.9, p < 0.001) and overweight (9.7, 95% CI: 7.2–12.3, p = 0.019) chemotherapy‐treated patients. Conclusion: This study indicates that chemotherapy and BMI both influence long‐term fatigue in colon cancer patients. Proactive monitoring for CRF and lifestyle interventions may be needed for chemotherapy‐treated patients with a high BMI.