title: Assessing cancer survivors' needs using web-based technology: a pilot study.
abstract: Development of cancer survivor resources has been hampered by lack of knowledge regarding survivors' needs. The main study aim was to pilot test a Web-based cancer survivor needs assessment survey. The second aim was to pilot three sampling approaches. This cross-sectional study was conducted at the Norris Cotton Cancer Center and nine community-based clinics serving urban and rural populations. Population-based and convenience sampling approaches were used to recruit 547 participants over 4 months. Participants completed a Web-based cancer survivor needs assessment survey. Respondents were mainly white (98%), married (71%) women (80%) with a college education (96%). Although most (66%) (n = 362) had been diagnosed with breast cancer, other cancer diagnoses were represented. Participants reported fatigue (47%), forgetfulness (39%), joint pain (34%), anxiety (31%), trouble sleeping (28%), peripheral neuropathy (27%), inflexibility (23%), and weight gain (23%). Survivors with nonbreast solid tumor malignancies reported more problems than those with breast or hematologic malignancies (P range = .037 to <.0001). Most survivors requested assistance for losing weight (74.2%), decreasing fatigue (50%), and improving flexibility (69.3%), sleep (68.5%), and memory (60.2%). Results supported that cancer survivors struggle with many enduring problems. Web-based technology will facilitate future exploration of unmet needs.
authors.affiliation: School of Nursing, University of Michigan, Ann Arbor, MI 48109, USA. Ellenls@umich.edu
authors.forename: Ellen M
authors.initials: EM
authors.lastname: Lavoie Smith
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Skalla
authors.forename: Zhongze
authors.initials: Z
authors.lastname: Li
authors.forename: Tracy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Onega
authors.forename: June
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Rhoda
authors.forename: Charlene
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Gates
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Litterini
authors.forename: Mary R
authors.initials: MR
authors.lastname: Scott
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000451:nursing; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D003625:Data Collection / Q000379:methods*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020407:Internet; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000451:nursing; D010865:Pilot Projects; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data