title: Effectiveness and Acceptability of a Moisturizing Cream and a Barrier Cream During Radiation Therapy for Breast Cancer in the Tropics: A Randomized Controlled Trial.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  Inconsistent evidence about product effectiveness to prevent moist desquamation during radiation treatment and minimal research about the acceptability to patients of recommended products prompted this study.
  
  
  OBJECTIVE
  This randomized controlled trial compared the effectiveness of 2 creams at minimizing the incidence of moist desquamation in a tropical setting and explored which product was most acceptable to patients receiving radiation treatment.
  
  
  METHODS
  Participants (n = 255) were stratified according to breast or chest wall radiation treatment and randomly allocated to use a moisturizing or barrier cream. Nurses assessed radiation skin reactions weekly with a standardized grading system, and patients were telephoned 1 month after completing treatment for a final skin assessment. Participants completed an Acceptability Survey at similar times.
  
  
  RESULTS
  At treatment completion, 15% of participants had moist desquamation. An additional 26% self-reported this at follow-up. Risk factors for moist desquamation included increased breast cup size and body mass index. The barrier cream significantly reduced the incidence of moist desquamation during treatment in patients receiving radiation to the chest wall (χ = 3.93, P = .047). Participants preferred the barrier cream over the moisturizer (χ = 5.81, P = .02) during treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study identified a relatively high incidence of moist desquamation in patients receiving radiation therapy for breast cancer. Future patients will have information about product effectiveness in minimizing moist desquamation when choosing skin care products.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Structured discharge planning and patient education need to include information about factors that contribute to the likelihood of developing moist desquamation.
authors.affiliation: Author Affiliations: Radiation Therapy Unit (Ms Laffin) and Cancer Clinical Trials (Ms Heyer), Townsville Cancer Centre, The Townsville Hospital; Tropical Health Research Unit for Nursing and Midwifery Practice, Townsville Hospital and Health Service and James Cook University (Dr Smyth and Mss Laffin, Heyer, and Abernethy); and School of Nursing, Midwifery and Nutrition, James Cook University, Townsville, Queensland Australia (Dr Smyth); and School of Nursing, Midwifery and Paramedicine (Signadou Campus), Australian Catholic University, Australian Capital Territory (Dr Gardner and Ms Fasugba).
authors.forename: Nadine
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Laffin
authors.forename: Wendy
authors.initials: W
authors.lastname: Smyth
authors.forename: Elizabeth
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Heyer
authors.forename: Oyebola
authors.initials: O
authors.lastname: Fasugba
authors.forename: Gail
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Abernethy
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Gardner
mesh_terms: D000287:Administration, Topical; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000532:radiotherapy* / Q000601:surgery; D004643:Emollients / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D015412:Mastectomy, Segmental; D008875:Middle Aged; D010342:Patient Acceptance of Health Care; D010349:Patient Compliance / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D011793:Queensland; D011855:Radiodermatitis / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000503:physiopathology; D011879:Radiotherapy Dosage; D018714:Radiotherapy, Adjuvant / Q000009:adverse effects; D012869:Skin Absorption / Q000187:drug effects; D016896:Treatment Outcome; D014329:Tropical Climate
chemical_list: D004643:Emollients