title: Understanding the needs of colorectal cancer patients during the pre-diagnosis phase.
abstract: Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) face a number of challenges leading up to diagnosis; however, research is limited regarding their specific needs during the pre-diagnosis period. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted to elicit information about the CRC experience during the pre-diagnosis phase. Across the three sites, 104 eligible patients were approached, and 82 patients completed the survey, for a total response rate of 78.9%. The needs most identified by participants during the pre-diagnosis period were informational (31.6%) and emotional (20.3%) needs; social needs were rated as the least important need for these patients (7%). The majority (84.0%) reported that these needs were met. Participants reported feeling shocked or overwhelmed on learning of their diagnosis (57.1%) and high levels of anxiety during this time (40.0%). The majority (77.9%) of participants reported that they were not directed to any resources to help address their anxiety. Informational and emotional needs are identified as the most important needs during the pre-diagnosis phase, and for most these needs are being met; however, some participants are experiencing high levels of anxiety without access to appropriate resources. Further work is required to understand the optimal mechanisms to address identified needs during this pre-diagnosis period and to assess the potential benefits and costs of addressing these needs.
authors.affiliation: Office of Education, Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada. david.wiljer@camh.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: Erin
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Kennedy
authors.forename: Sara
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Urowitz
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001007:Anxiety / Q000523:psychology*; D015179:Colorectal Neoplasms / Q000175:diagnosis* / Q000523:psychology*; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005260:Female; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D011379:Prognosis; D012189:Retrospective Studies; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires