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Background:
Cancer survivors and their caregivers may have various unmet needs that are medically difficult to solve. Previous studies have suggested the relations between individuals' backgrounds and their unmet needs. We conducted a large-scale analysis to clarify the influence of individuals' backgrounds, primarily cancer type, on specific type...
Contexts in source publication
Context 1
... the primary analysis, for callers who were survivors, there were no significant differences in needs frequency among cancer types, except that individuals who were never diagnosed with cancer had a lower frequency of "physical" and "financial" needs than did survivors with breast cancer (Table 4). ...Context 2
... the secondary analysis, it is noteworthy that survivors with symptoms showed a higher frequency of "physical" and "emotional/mental health" needs than did survivors without symptoms (Table 4). Moreover, survivors with symptoms showed a lower frequency of "education/information", "resource", and "cure" needs than did survivors without symptoms. ...Citations
... It has been noted in the current literature that cancer patients have psychosocial needs in all stages of their disease and have unmet psychosocial needs. 16,17 Additionally, it has been stated that the rate of experiencing depression during treatment is higher than in other stages of the disease. 18 During this stage, cancer patients and FCs establish long interactions with nurses in Türkiye. ...
... Cancer survivorship for older adults is said to involve a period of adaptation, as they transition out of active cancer treatment and enter a new post-treatment period (Deimling et al., 2002;Fitch et al., 2021;Towsley et al., 2007). Indeed, older cancer survivors report a variety of challenges or needs (e.g., physical, emotional, nutritional, cognitive, etc. (Fitch et al.;Kleckner & Magnuson, 2022;Scotté et al., 2018;Watanabe et al., 2020)). Of these, physical challenges (e.g., physical capacity, symptoms/side effects, and changes in bodily function/appearance/falls (Fitch et al.;Sulicka et al., 2018;Watanabe et al., 2020) are most commonly experienced. ...
... Indeed, older cancer survivors report a variety of challenges or needs (e.g., physical, emotional, nutritional, cognitive, etc. (Fitch et al.;Kleckner & Magnuson, 2022;Scotté et al., 2018;Watanabe et al., 2020)). Of these, physical challenges (e.g., physical capacity, symptoms/side effects, and changes in bodily function/appearance/falls (Fitch et al.;Sulicka et al., 2018;Watanabe et al., 2020) are most commonly experienced. These challenges are experienced across genders and cancer diagnoses indicating the importance of assisting all older adult cancer survivors as they transition out of cancer treatment, particularly during a pandemic when supportive resources may not be easily accessible. ...
Objectives: The objective of this study is to longitudinally examine the coping strategies used by older cancer survivors (≥60 years of age) during COVID-19. Methods: An interpretive descriptive approach was used to collect and analyse qualitative data collected via 1:1 telephone interviews at three timepoints: June/July 2020, January 2021, and March 2021. Main Findings: Coping strategies used by older adults reflected the resources available to them, and their agency in self-triaging and deciding on resources to support their coping. These decisions were impacted by pandemic-imposed restrictions and necessitated readjustment over time. Three themes were developed to describe coping strategies (including any changes): adapting means and methods to connect with others; being intentional about outlook; and taking actions toward a brighter future. Conclusion: Older adults used a variety of coping strategies, though their reliance on resources beyond themselves (e.g., family/friends) indicates a need to add tailored resources to existing professional services.
... 44 Furthermore, young cancer survivors have fewer individual experiences compared with older cancer survivors, and therefore the adaptation process of this group might be more difficult than for the older group. Previous research reported that individual backgrounds and present symptoms play a more important role in unmet needs than age per se, 45 while younger cancer survivors consistently report higher unmet needs than other age group. 46 Furthermore, female cancer survivors reported higher unmet needs scores than their male counterparts, possibly because female cancer survivors had more points of concern such as issues relating to body image and residual symptoms (which, in turn, are associated with breast cancer, as discussed below, which generally affects women), and personal relationships, etc. ...
Objective
To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet needs (CaSUN-TH) scale among Thai cancer survivors after completion of primary treatment.
Methods
Standardized translation procedures developed the CaSUN-TH. Face validity was evaluated by a group of experts, and a pilot test on 10 cancer patients was conducted to evaluate its readability. A total 236 cancer survivors who were attending follow-up visits at a cancer hospital in Thailand completed the CaSUN-TH. The internal consistency of instrument was examined using Cronbach’s α. The association of the CaSUN-TH and its subscales with physical symptoms, QoL, age, gender, and type of cancer were examined for criterion validity and known-group validity. Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis.
Results
The CaSUN-TH showed good readability and high content validity for use as an instrument to assess unmet needs among Thai cancer survivors. Cronbach’s α for the entire scale was 0.95. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the five-factor structure of the CaSUN-TH was good fit to the data (CFI = 0.901, SRMR = 0.074, RMSEA = 0.076 (90% confidence interval, 0.066 - 0.085)). In terms of construct validity, CaSUN-TH scores significantly correlated to other variables hypothesized to influence level of need, including higher physical symptoms prevalence was related to poor quality of life, and poorer QOL and younger age was associated with higher level of unmet needs. In addition, the scale was able to differentiate scores between groups, including gender, age, and type of primary cancer with theoretically hypothesized differences.
Conclusion
The CaSUN-TH demonstrated appropriate psychometric properties for assessing unmet needs in different cancer survivor groups in Thailand. Using the CaSUN-TH can help health professionals target individual survivor needs, bridging the gap between patients’ experiences and their expectations, improving the quality of cancer survivorship care.
... 22 Terms related to CRC treatment, tests, and diseases were also highly ranked, similar to research showing a high need for treatment-related resources, treatment, unmet needs related to the cancer itself, and information. 3,31 Notably, there were some differences between caregivers and patients, with terms related to defecation and pain appearing in the higher ranks for patients. Such symptoms have significant implications for patients regarding the fear of recurrence and functional loss. ...
Objective
To improve the quality of life and health outcomes of an increasing number of colorectal cancer patients and their caregivers, the specific needs of both should be understood across the cancer treatment trajectory. This study attempted to identify the supportive needs of patients and caregivers during each treatment phase. Methods: Using text mining, posts from a South Korean internet self-help support group for colorectal cancer were classified by assigning labels to the terms extracted according to the poster, treatment phase, and support type. The extracted terms were then classified based on term frequency, with higher term frequency indicating higher need. Results: Both caregivers and patients showed the highest term frequencies during the treatment phase. Caregivers had more high-ranking terms that were ranked higher than patients, indicating high support needs. In addition, the terms regarding treatments and diseases were ranked high. In the pre-treatment phase, test-related needs were ranked higher for both caregivers and patients. Meanwhile, patients had more highly ranked terms in the post-treatment phase, showing their high need in this phase, especially terms related to post-treatment symptoms. Caregivers had higher term frequencies of food intake during the post-treatment phase. Finally, in the treatment phase, recurrence was highly ranked among patients. Conclusions: This study demonstrated that the needs of colorectal cancer patients and their caregivers were not always consistent in each treatment phase. Therefore, the needs of both patients and caregivers should be considered separately in each treatment phase and supportive interventions should be provided accordingly.
... Individual survivors have varying levels and types of needs and personalised approaches to care are required. A recent analysis found that individuals' background and presence of symptoms play a more important role in the profile of unmet needs than cancer type (Watanabe et al., 2020). Our study findings differ from those of others in some respects but inconsistencies in evidence about unmet needs have been widely reported (Puts et al., 2012;Willems et al., 2015). ...
Objectives
To explore the supportive care needs of cancer survivors, the characteristics of patients with high levels of unmet need, changes in unmet need after treatment ends and differences in unmet needs of breast, colorectal and testicular survivors.
Methods
The method used was a prospective longitudinal mailed survey. Unmet needs, measured by 25-item modified Cancer Survivors Unmet Needs survey at baseline (immediately post-treatment) and 8 months later, were analysed descriptively.
Results
Of 434 breast, 186 colorectal and 75 testicular patients responding at baseline, 56.2%, 65.6% and 50.7%, respectively, had no unmet needs, the top decile having ≥10 (breast) or seven (colorectal and testicular) different needs and seven different unmet needs. The most frequently reported unmet need (all groups) was fear of cancer recurrence. Unmet needs fell significantly at 8 months for breast patients. Some patients reported new needs. Needs were lowest amongst colorectal survivors and differed between the three groups. Higher levels of unmet needs (breast and colorectal) were associated with having had chemotherapy.
Conclusion
Most survivors reported few unmet needs, but a small proportion have persisting or emerging needs. Routine or regular monitoring of unmet needs is required so that healthcare professionals can deliver personalised care based on individual needs, preferences and circumstances.
... 29 This benefit may hold true for caregivers too since they also have emotional and tangible needs during treatment and at times of transition. [2][3][4] In order to fill this gap, this study explores the alignment/match of support for caregivers who use the social media platform CaringBridge. ...
... 33 Cancer caregivers often have emotional and tangible needs throughout the cancer continuum. [2][3][4] These matches may potentially reduce the distress of caregivers if they perceive these emotional and tangible offers of support. In a previous study of general CaringBridge users, both patients and caregivers described feeling connected to others through their CaringBridge sites and stated they benefited from the support they received. ...
Objectives
Exploring CaringBridge, we describe types of social support caregivers requested, types of social support offered, and the alignment between the two.
Research approach
A retrospective, longitudinal, descriptive approach.
Sample
Twenty public CaringBridge sites.
Methodological approach
The Social Support Behavior Code system was adapted and applied to cancer-caregiver journal entries (n = 389) and guestbook posts (n = 2,466) to identify types of support (emotional, esteem, informational, network, tangible, and no support requested/offered). Matches between requests and offers were examined.
Findings
Cancer caregivers requested different types of support from their guests, most commonly emotional support. However, in most posts, caregivers did not request any support (n = 238, 61.18%). Guests offered all support types, but predominately offered emotional support (n = 2,353, 95%). When support was requested, 66.67% of requests received a matched offer within 24 hours.
Interpretation
Social media platforms may provide all types of support to caregivers.
Introduction
This article presents the study design of the qualitative part of the VersKiK study (Long-term care, care needs and wellbeing of individuals after cancer in childhood or adolescence: study protocol of a large scale multi-methods non-interventional study) aiming to explore actual follow-up needs of childhood and adolescence cancer survivors and their informal caregivers, gaps in current follow-up care provision and trajectories of cancer survivors’ transition from paediatric to adult healthcare.
Methods and analysis
We will conduct up to 30 interviews with survivors of childhood and adolescence cancer and their informal caregivers with up to 20 participant observations of follow-up appointments. The results of these will be discussed in up to four focus groups with healthcare professionals and representatives of self-help groups. The study design aims to evaluate follow-up care after childhood cancer considering perspectives from survivors, their informal caregivers as well as healthcare providers. The combination of different data sources will allow us to get an in-depth understanding of the current state of follow-up care after paediatric cancer in Germany and to suggest recommendations for care improvement.
Ethics and dissemination
The VersKiK study was approved by the Ethics Committee Otto von Guericke University on 2 July 2021 (103/21), by the Ethics Committee of Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz on 16 June 2021 (2021-16035), by the Ethics Committee University of Lübeck on 10 November 2021 (21-451), by the Ethics Committee University of Hospital Bonn on 28 February 2022 (05/22). For each part of the qualitative study, a separate written informed consent is prepared and approved accordingly by the ethics committees named above.
Trial registration number
Registered at German Clinical Trial Register, ID: DRKS00026092.
Adult cancer survivors have an increased prevalence of mental health comorbidities and other adverse late-effects interdependent with mental illness outcomes compared with the general population. Coronavirus Disease 2019 (COVID-19) heralds an era of renewed call for actions to identify sustainable modalities to facilitate the constructs of cancer survivorship care and health care delivery through physiological supportive domestic spaces. Building on the concept of therapeutic architecture, psychoneuroimmunology (PNI) indicators—with the central role in low-grade systemic inflammation—are associated with major psychiatric disorders and late effects of post-cancer treatment. Immune disturbances might mediate the effects of environmental determinants on behaviour and mental disorders. Whilst attention is paid to the non-objective measurements for examining the home environmental domains and mental health outcomes, little is gathered about the multidimensional effects on physiological responses. This exploratory review presents a first analysis of how addressing the PNI outcomes serves as a catalyst for therapeutic housing research. We argue the crucial component of housing in supporting the sustainable primary care and public health-based cancer survivorship care model, particularly in the psychopathology context. Ultimately, we illustrate a series of interventions aiming at how housing environmental attributes can trigger PNI profile changes and discuss the potential implications in the non-pharmacological treatment of cancer survivors and patients with mental morbidities.
