Unmet supportive care needs of patients with colorectal cancer based on survival stage: A scoping review.

Background: Colorectal cancer (CRC) has emerged as one of the most common cancers, with increasing survival rates globally. As patients with CRC experience diverse treatment effects corresponding to different survival stages, understanding their unmet needs based on the survival stage is critical to tailor supportive care with limited medical resources.

Aim: This study aimed to understand the unmet needs of patients with CRC across survival stages.

Methods: This scoping review followed the 5-stage framework established by Arksey and O'Malley. Five online databases were searched with narrative synthesis performed after data extraction.

Results: Fifteen studies were identified for this review, with 12 focusing on the acute survival stage and three reporting on the extended survival stage. Ten studies used validated scales to assess unmet needs, with the Supportive Care Needs Survey being the most common scale. Unmet needs in patients with CRC demonstrate distinct patterns across survival stages. Most studies reported a higher prevalence of unmet needs during the extended survival stage compared to the acute survival stage. Unmet emotional needs predominate during the acute survival stage, whereas unmet physical needs become most prominent in the extended survival stage.

Linking evidence to action: Healthcare providers are encouraged to conduct assessments tailored to the specific survival stage, with particular emphasis on addressing unmet needs during the extended survival stage. The development of standardized scales is recommended to comprehensively assess the unmet needs of patients with CRC.