title: Unmet needs of Australian and Canadian haematological cancer survivors: a cross-sectional international comparative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Few population-based studies have assessed the needs of haematological cancer survivors or conducted international comparisons. We aimed to assess and compare the unmet needs of Australian and Canadian haematological cancer survivors.
  
  
  METHODS
  Two cross-sectional datasets were analysed. Survivors were recruited from population-based cancer registries and sent a self-report survey containing the Survivors Unmet Needs Survey. Australians were aged 18-80 years at the time of study and diagnosed in the last 3 years. Canadians were diagnosed 1-5 years prior and aged 19 years and over at diagnosis.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of 268 Australian and 169 Canadian survivors returned a completed survey. 'Dealing with feeling tired' was identified as the highest concern by survivors. Country (LRχ(2)=4.0(1), p=0.045) was associated with survivors reporting a 'high/very high' unmet need with 'worry about earning money,' with Australians reporting marginally nonsignificantly higher odds than Canadians (OR 2.1; 95% CI; 0.99, 4.3). Country was not significantly associated with any other outcome. Having a personal expense in the last month as a result of having cancer, younger age at diagnosis, female sex, vocational or other level education, and consulting a health care professional for cancer treatment or concerns about cancer in the last month were associated with multiple areas of need.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Australian and Canadian haematological cancer survivors were found to experience similar levels of unmet needs. Overall, haematological cancer survivors may require additional assistance in dealing with feeling tired.
authors: Priority Research Centre for Health Behaviour, Faculty of Health, The University of Newcastle & Hunter Medical Research Institute, Callaghan, NSW, Australia. alix.hall@newcastle.edu.au
authors: Alix
authors: A
authors: Hall
authors: H Sharon
authors: HS
authors: Campbell
authors: Rob
authors: R
authors: Sanson-Fisher
authors: Marita
authors: M
authors: Lynagh
authors: Catherine
authors: C
authors: D'Este
authors: Robin
authors: R
authors: Burkhalter
authors: Mariko
authors: M
authors: Carey
mesh_terms: D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001007:Anxiety / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology; D001315:Australia; D002170:Canada; D017281:Cost of Illness; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005221:Fatigue / Q000209:etiology; D005260:Female; D019337:Hematologic Neoplasms / Q000150:complications / Q000523:psychology*; D006801:Humans; D016014:Linear Models; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D020380:Needs Assessment; D012737:Sex Factors; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: cancer survivor; hematologic neoplasms; needs assessment; psycho-social oncology; unmet needs