title: Health information needs and health-related quality of life in a diverse population of long-term cancer survivors.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To investigate health information needs and their association with health-related quality of life (HRQOL) in a diverse, population-based sample of long-term cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  We analyzed health information needs from 1197 cancer survivors 4-14 years post-diagnosis drawn from two cancer registries in California. Multivariable regression models were used to identify factors associated with endorsement of total number and different categories of needs. The relationship between number of needs and HRQOL and effect modification by confidence for obtaining information was examined.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Survivors reported a high prevalence of unmet information needs in the following categories: side effects & symptoms: 75.8%; tests & treatment: 71.5%; health promotion: 64.5%; interpersonal & emotional: 60.2%; insurance: 39.0%; and sexual functioning & fertility: 34.6%. Survivors who were younger, non-White, and did not receive but wanted a written treatment summary reported a higher number of needs. Number of information needs was inversely related to mental well-being, particularly for those with low confidence for obtaining information (P<0.05).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  These patterns suggest disparities in access to important health information in long-term survivors and that affect HRQOL.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Findings suggest a need for tailored interventions to equip survivors with comprehensive health information and to bolster skills for obtaining information.
authors.affiliation: Cancer Prevention Fellowship Program, Division of Cancer Prevention, National Cancer Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892, USA. Erin.Kent@nih.gov
authors.forename: Erin E
authors.initials: EE
authors.lastname: Kent
authors.forename: Neeraj K
authors.initials: NK
authors.lastname: Arora
authors.forename: Julia H
authors.initials: JH
authors.lastname: Rowland
authors.forename: Keith M
authors.initials: KM
authors.lastname: Bellizzi
authors.forename: Laura P
authors.initials: LP
authors.lastname: Forsythe
authors.forename: Ann S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Hamilton
authors.forename: Ingrid
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Oakley-Girvan
authors.forename: Ellen B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Beckjord
authors.forename: Noreen M
authors.initials: NM
authors.lastname: Aziz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D002140:California; D054626:Consumer Health Information; D005006:Ethnicity / Q000523:psychology; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006297:Health Services Accessibility; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand; D006304:Health Status; D054625:Healthcare Disparities; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000208:ethnology / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011159:Population Surveillance; D011787:Quality of Health Care; D011788:Quality of Life; D018426:SEER Program; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D013997:Time Factors