Evaluation of Factors Associated With Unmet Needs in Adult Cancer Survivors in Canada

Abstract

IMPORTANCE Understanding the challenges faced by an increasing number of cancer survivors can guide the development and implementation of effective survivorship care models. OBJECTIVE To identify the physical, emotional, and practical concerns and associated unmet needs reported by cancer survivors. DESIGN, SETTING, AND PARTICIPANTS This cross-sectional survey study obtained data from the Experiences of Cancer Patients in Transitions Study of the Canadian Partnership Against Cancer, in collaboration with cancer agencies in the 10 Canadian provinces, that was disseminated in 2016. This analysis included only adult survivors aged 30 years or older who underwent chemotherapy, radiation therapy, surgical treatment, or a combination of these therapies for breast, prostate, colorectal, melanoma, or hematological cancer within the past 1 to 3 years. Data synthesis and quality assessment were conducted in 2017. Data analysis was completed in July 2019. MAIN OUTCOMES AND MEASURES The outcomes were the (1) quantification of the magnitude and multiplicity of the physical, emotional, and practical concerns of adult survivors of breast, colorectal, prostate, melanoma, or hematological cancer; (2) exploration of the magnitude of associated unmet needs; and (3) identification of patient-, treatment-, and cancer-specific factors associated with the reporting of unmet needs. RESULTS Overall, 10 717 adult respondents were included (5660 [53%] female and 6367 [60%] aged Ն65 years). The median number of concerns per respondent was 6 (interquartile range [IQR], 3-10). Among respondents with concerns, help was sought for a median of 2 (IQR, 0-4) concerns. Unmet needs were reported for a median of 4 (IQR, 2-7) concerns. Emotional concerns were reported by 8330 respondents (78%), physical concerns by 9236 respondents (86%), and practical concerns by 4668 respondents (44%). At least 1 unmet need was reported by 7033 survivors (84%) with emotional concerns, 7475 (81%) with physical concerns, and 3459 (74%) with practical concerns. Age, sex, annual income, marital status, geographic location, language, and treatment type

Assessment of Current Mental Health Status in a Population-Based Sample of Canadian Men With and Without a History of Prostate Cancer Diagnosis: An Analysis of the Canadian Longitudinal Study on Aging (CLSA)

“…Leaving mental health needs unattended leads to poor quality of life among PCa survivors, poor oncological outcomes, and could potentially burden health care systems (6)(7)(8)(9)(10)(11). In light of the current and recent studies, the necessity of assessing patients' needs as they emerge after the diagnosis and treatment, understanding the role treatment modalities play in their development, and creating survivorship care plans that address these needs including earlier interventions in the form of pre-habilitation as well as survivorship programs is evident (11,20,57,58).…”

The impact of chronic comorbidities at the time of breast cancer diagnosis on quality of life, and emotional health following treatment in Canada

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Biopsychosocial Factors Associated with Supportive Care Needs in Canadian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Survivors

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