Abstract
Purpose
People with lung cancer report a higher burden of unmet needs, specifically psychological and daily living unmet needs. They experience more psychological distress and more physical hardship than other tumour sites. This study examined the levels of unmet need and psychological distress in inoperable lung cancer patients at the start of treatment.
Methods
A cross-section survey methodology was employed using baseline data from a randomised controlled trial designed to evaluate a supportive care intervention. Eligible lung cancer patients were approached to participate at the start of treatment. Consenting patients completed questionnaires prior to or just after the commencement of treatment. Reliable and valid measures included Needs Assessment for Advanced Lung Cancer Patients, Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale and Brief Distress Thermometer.
Results
Of the 108 patients participating, the top unmet need was ‘Dealing with concerns about your family’s fears and worries’ (62%); with the next four also coming from the psychological/emotional domain, but, on average, most needs related to medical communication. Thirty two percent of patients reported clinical or subclinical anxiety and 19% reported HADS scores suggestive of clinical or subclinical depression. Moreover, 39.8% of the sample reported distress above the cut-off on the distress thermometer and this was associated with higher needs for each need subscale (p < 0.05).
Conclusions
People with lung cancer have high levels of unmet needs especially regarding psychological/emotional or medical communication. People with lung cancer who are classified as distressed have more unmet needs.
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Acknowledgements
Anna Ugalde presented this work at Multinational Association for Supportive Care International Symposium in Cancer in Rome, 2009, and was awarded the Multinational Association for Supportive Care in Cancer Young Investigator of the Year.
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This project was funded by a Palliative Care Grant from the National Health and Medical Research Council of Australia, number 310679. Associate Professor Penelope Schofield is supported by a National Health and Medical Research Council Career Development Fellowship.
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Ugalde, A., Aranda, S., Krishnasamy, M. et al. Unmet needs and distress in people with inoperable lung cancer at the commencement of treatment. Support Care Cancer 20, 419–423 (2012). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1296-4
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-011-1296-4