Survivorship concerns among posttreatment cancer survivors in South Korea: A secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey.

Abstract

Background: Cancer survivors may have a variety of survivorship concerns despite their cancer treatment having ended, with some negatively affecting their health-related quality of life. An in-depth understanding of survivorship concerns is essential for the development of survivorship care programs. However, previous findings have been limited to Western countries, and evidence from Asian countries is lacking.

Objective: This study aimed to examine the prevalence of survivorship concerns among posttreatment cancer survivors in South Korea, identify factors associated with survivorship concerns, and explore their relationship with health-related quality of life.

Design: Secondary analysis of a cross-sectional survey.

Setting: Data were collected through an online survey of five online communities of cancer survivors in South Korea.

Participants: Overall, 1019 cancer survivors diagnosed with breast, colorectal, lung, stomach, and thyroid cancer (top five cancers in South Korea) who completed their cancer treatment.

Methods: The survey collected data on demographic, disease- and treatment-related characteristics, survivorship concerns, and health-related quality of life. Survivorship concerns were measured using the checklist for survivorship concerns from the National Comprehensive Cancer Network Guidelines for Cancer Survivorship, which includes 12 survivorship concerns (e.g. cardiac toxicity, distress, cognitive dysfunction, fatigue, lymphoedema). Health-related quality of life was assessed using the Korean version of the 30-item European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire. Data were analysed using descriptive statistics, the Chi-square test, and multiple regression.

Results: The prevalence of survivorship concerns ranged from 34.7 % to 78.4 %. Fatigue (78.4 %), unhealthy lifestyle (74.8 %), cognitive dysfunction (60.5 %), insomnia (58.9 %), and distress (52.9 %) were the five most frequent concerns. Survivors aged in their 50s, those diagnosed with stomach cancer, those with an elapsed time of ≥2 years but <5 years since diagnosis, and those who had received chemotherapy and/or radiotherapy were significantly more likely to report survivorship concerns. Regression analyses revealed that all survivorship concerns were significant predictors of one or more subscales of health-related quality of life. Distress was found to be a significant predictor of all six subscales of the European Organisation for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life Core Questionnaire.

Conclusions: This study revealed that posttreatment cancer survivors in South Korea had various survivorship concerns that decreased their health-related quality of life. To improve their health-related quality of life, systematic screening of survivorship concerns and timely appropriate interventions are critical. Our findings can thus contribute to the development of targeted survivorship care programs in Asia.

Study registration: Not registered.