Margaret I. Fitch
University of Toronto, CanadaPresentation Title:
Unmet needs of cancer survivors: Understanding perspectives on physical, emotional and practical concerns, and help-seeking following cancer treatment
Abstract
Introduction: The number of cancer survivors is expected to more than double in the next 20 years because of improvements in screening and treatment of the disease. In Canada alone, this number has already reached more than 2.1 million individuals. For many, cancer and its treatment leaves them with physical, emotional, and practical changes which can present difficulties in meeting their needs. When needs remain unmet, psychosocial distress can emerge and quality of life is affected. Understanding the needs of cancer survivors, and which ones remain unmet, is important if health care professionals are going to provide relevant survivorship care.
Methods: A national survey was distributed across the ten Canadian provinces to capture the experiences of Cancer Survivors 1-3 years following treatment. The survey assessed physical, emotional and practical changes and whether survivors were able to access help for their concerns or difficulties in coping with the consequences of the changes. The survey facilitated both quantitative and qualitative analyses.
Results: A total of 13, 319 cancer survivors responded to the survey. Breast, prostate, and colorectal cancer accounted for the majority of diagnoses. More than 80% of the respondents were 55 years of age or older; approximately 67% also had co-morbid conditions. The most frequent physical changes included fatigue (68%) and sexual activity (45%) while anxiety (68%) and depression (46%) accounted for the most frequent emotional changes. Changes regarding return to work (23%), transportation (22%), and finances (21%) accounted for the most frequently identified practical changes. Across all change categories, survivors reported various levels of concern and difficulty. Additionally, many did not seek help for their concerns while those who sought help had trouble obtaining relevant assistance. Many did not seek-help because they had been told it was normal to experiences these changes or thought there was nothing that could be done to offset the issue.
Conclusion: Cancer treatment can leave individuals with on-going consequences that can have a profound impact on their quality of life. Cancer care professionals ought to consider survivor care as part of their mandate and provide relevant assistance regarding survivor concerns. This is apt to require intentional planning and implementation of tailored programming.
Biography
Margaret I Fitch, RN PhD, is a professor (adjunct) at the Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, in Canada. She has a background in oncology nursing and psychosocial oncology, including palliative care, practicing for over 20 years at the Odette Cancer Centre in Toronto. She held the positions of head of oncology nursing and psychosocial oncology, and co-director of the psychosocial and behavioral oncology research unit. Her long-term research focus has been on coping and adaptation of patients/survivors and families across the cancer trajectory. Advocacy for patient and stakeholder engagement has been a specific interest. Psychosocial care along the cancer trajectory and survivorship are the broad foci for her research work and teaching. She currently serves as editor-in-chief of the Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal and is on the board of director with the Canadian Association of Nurses in Oncology. She is an honorary lecturer at both the University of Rwanda and the University of Nairobi within their respective nursing schools.
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