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.