title: Understanding the needs of lung cancer patients during the pre-diagnosis phase.
abstract: Patients with lung cancer have numerous and varying needs spanning across the cancer trajectory; however, only limited research has focused specifically on the pre-diagnosis phase. A multicentre cross-sectional survey was conducted to explore the experience of lung cancer patients during the pre-diagnosis phase. High levels of anxiety were reported by many participants (45.6 %). Informational (32.1 %), and emotional (24.1 %) needs were reported as most important; the majority (89.0 %) reported these needs were met. Most participants sought information throughout, with many (38.6 %) rating their oncology health care providers to be the best source of information. The majority (70.0 %) reported that they were not directed to any resources to help address their anxiety. During pre-diagnosis, informational and emotional needs appear most important, and for the majority, these were reportedly met. Although many experienced high levels of anxiety, few were directed to resources to address it.
authors.affiliation: Knowledge Management and Innovation, Oncology Education and Radiation Medicine Program, Princess Margaret Hospital/University Health Network, Toronto, ON, Canada. David.Wiljer@rmp.uhn.on.ca
authors.forename: David
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Wiljer
authors.forename: Tara
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Walton
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Gilbert
authors.forename: Amy
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Boucher
authors.forename: Peter M
authors.initials: PM
authors.lastname: Ellis
authors.forename: Susan
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Schiff
authors.forename: Scott M
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Sellick
authors.forename: Marko
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Simunovic
authors.forename: Andrea
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bezjak
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urowitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology; D054626:Consumer Health Information / Q000379:methods*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D004644:Emotions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008175:Lung Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012017:Referral and Consultation / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors