Stress Management Training for Latinas Receiving Chemotherapy

"Patients will receive usual care. In addition, a Spanish-speaking intervention associate will spend an extra 10 minutes on the day usual care is initiated reviewing the self-administered training materials in Spanish titled Cómo tratar el estrés durante la quimioterapia. Materials consist of an 18-minute DVD (also available as a videocassette (VC)), a 28-minute CD (also available as an audiocassette (AC)), a 16-page booklet, and a workbook to record practice and use of stress management techniques. Participants are instructed to first view the DVD/VC and then follow directions in the booklet and on the CD/AC about training, practice, and use of stress management techniques."

"Patients will be given the Spanish-language version of Chemotherapy and You: Support for People with Cancer (La quimioterapia y usted: Apoyo para las personas con cancer) published by NCI. The intervention associate will review how it provides answers to common questions about chemotherapy, describes common side effects and their management, and identifies ways to obtain additional information. Patients will also be provided with a list of local support groups for cancer patients and informed that a social worker is available to meet with them without charge to discuss personal concerns or practical problems. At the first infusion, oncology nurses will provide all patients with standard education about the chemotherapy agents and anti-emetic agents to be administered, possible adverse reactions to these agents, and recommended precautions for avoiding illness and maintaining health."