Managing Medication-induced Constipation in Cancer: A Clinical Trial

Inclusion Criteria:

* The study sample will consist of patients who are receiving outpatient care at the Moffitt Cancer Center.
* Patients will be identified as those who have a diagnosis of cancer and are being treated with either opioids or vinca alkaloids,
* are adults (or children 18-21 years old),
* either male or female,
* able to read and understand English,
* and able to pass screening with the Short Portable Mental Status Questionnaire and Karnofsky Performance Status Scale.

Exclusion Criteria:

* Patients will be excluded: if they have non-melanoma skin cancer or colorectal or gynecological cancer as their primary diagnosis;
* if they are excessively debilitated or deemed unlikely to survive for the eight weeks of the data collection period;
* if they are unable to read and understand English;
* if they have an ostomy that changes bowel function;
* if they have a current peritoneal catheter;
* if they have had abdominal surgery within the past six weeks;
* or have a disease process suggestive of mechanical obstruction (tumor or adhesion);
* if they have a history of chronic bowel disease (including irritable bowel syndrome, chronic constipation prior to cancer onset, Crohn's disease, ulcerative colitis or diarrhea as a result of radiation to the pelvis), or report chronic laxative use prior to cancer onset.