Voices of Survivorship: The Unmet Needs of Italian Cancer Survivors. A Qualitative Study

IF 3.1 2区医学 Q2 ONCOLOGY

Cancer Medicine Pub Date : 2025-08-01 DOI:10.1002/cam4.71121

Angela Contri, Stefania Costi, Monica Guberti, Silvia Soncini, Stefano Botti, Andrea Frasoldati, Martina Torreggiani, Luca Ghirotto

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Abstract

Background

The increasing number of cancer survivors (CSs) globally highlights the critical need for healthcare systems to address their unmet needs. These needs span physical, psychosocial, spiritual, informational, and practical dimensions and, if unaddressed, can impact quality of life and healthcare satisfaction.

Aims

This study aimed to identify and understand the unmet needs of CSs in Italy to guide the development of patient-centered survivorship care services.

Methods

A cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted between April 2023 and January 2024 at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Data were collected through focus groups and individual interviews with 35 CSs and seven caregivers selected via convenience sampling. Eligibility criteria included non-cutaneous CSs with a 5-year survival rate of ≥ 65% who had completed active treatment and were in follow-up care. Data were analyzed using the Framework Method.

Results

Four key themes emerged: (1) Dignity and Respect: Emphasis on the importance of treating CSs with dignity and respect within healthcare settings; (2) Desire for Normality: Highlighting CSs' strong desire to regain a sense of normalcy post-treatment; (3) Pursuit of Control Over One's Life: CSs' need to maintain control, particularly regarding information needs and treatment management; (4) Existential Vulnerability: The vulnerability and fragility felt by CSs, underscoring their need for emotional support and reassurance.

Conclusions

Unmet needs remain a significant challenge for CSs, necessitating the implementation of tailored, patient-centered care interventions. Addressing these needs can enhance quality of life, satisfaction, and outcomes for CSs worldwide.

Trial Registration: ClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06236373

Abstract Image

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幸存者之声：意大利癌症幸存者未满足的需求。定性研究

全球癌症幸存者（cs）人数的增加凸显了卫生保健系统解决其未满足需求的迫切需要。这些需求涉及身体、心理社会、精神、信息和实际方面，如果得不到解决，可能会影响生活质量和医疗保健满意度。目的本研究旨在识别和了解意大利CSs未满足的需求，以指导以患者为中心的生存护理服务的发展。方法于2023年4月至2024年1月在意大利雷焦艾米利亚综合癌症中心进行横断面定性研究。数据通过焦点小组和个人访谈收集，通过方便抽样选择35名CSs和7名护理人员。入选标准包括完成积极治疗并接受随访的5年生存率≥65%的非皮肤CSs患者。数据分析采用框架法。结果出现了四个关键主题：(1)尊严与尊重：强调在医疗环境中以尊严和尊重对待CSs的重要性；(2)对正常的渴望：突出CSs在治疗后对恢复正常感的强烈渴望；(3)追求控制自己的生活：CSs需要保持控制，特别是在信息需求和治疗管理方面；(4)存在性脆弱性（Existential Vulnerability）： CSs所感受到的脆弱性和脆弱性，强调他们对情感支持和安慰的需求。未满足的需求仍然是CSs面临的重大挑战，需要实施量身定制的、以患者为中心的护理干预措施。满足这些需求可以提高全球CSs的生活质量、满意度和结果。试验注册：ClinicalTrials.gov标识符：NCT06236373

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来源期刊

Cancer Medicine ONCOLOGY-

CiteScore

5.50

自引率

2.50%

发文量

907

审稿时长

19 weeks

期刊介绍： Cancer Medicine is a peer-reviewed, open access, interdisciplinary journal providing rapid publication of research from global biomedical researchers across the cancer sciences. The journal will consider submissions from all oncologic specialties, including, but not limited to, the following areas: Clinical Cancer Research Translational research ∙ clinical trials ∙ chemotherapy ∙ radiation therapy ∙ surgical therapy ∙ clinical observations ∙ clinical guidelines ∙ genetic consultation ∙ ethical considerations Cancer Biology: Molecular biology ∙ cellular biology ∙ molecular genetics ∙ genomics ∙ immunology ∙ epigenetics ∙ metabolic studies ∙ proteomics ∙ cytopathology ∙ carcinogenesis ∙ drug discovery and delivery. Cancer Prevention: Behavioral science ∙ psychosocial studies ∙ screening ∙ nutrition ∙ epidemiology and prevention ∙ community outreach. Bioinformatics: Gene expressions profiles ∙ gene regulation networks ∙ genome bioinformatics ∙ pathwayanalysis ∙ prognostic biomarkers. Cancer Medicine publishes original research articles, systematic reviews, meta-analyses, and research methods papers, along with invited editorials and commentaries. Original research papers must report well-conducted research with conclusions supported by the data presented in the paper.