title: A closer look at unmet needs at the end of primary treatment for breast cancer: a longitudinal pilot study.
abstract: This study describes the nature of unmet needs (UN) as women with breast cancer transition from "patient" to "survivor." Data are from a longitudinal study of 90 women with stage I-III breast cancer. Data were collected 2-3 weeks before, and 10 weeks after, completion of radiation. A modified Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs (CaSUN) instrument measured UN. Most participants reported ≥1 unmet need at baseline (80.00%) and follow-up (69.31%), with UN across physical, healthcare, information, psychosocial, and survivorship domains. Total number of UN declined over time, t(87) = 3.00, p < .01. UN likely to persist from baseline to follow-up involved cancer recurrence concerns, stress management, household responsibilities, and others not acknowledging/understanding cancer. Younger women (p = .01) and those with more severe (p < .01), life-interfering (p = .01) symptoms had greater burden of UN. This study highlights the dynamics of UN in the weeks before and after primary treatment. Future studies should identify long-term consequences of persistent UN.
authors: a Hollings Cancer Center , Medical University of South Carolina.
authors: Jessica L
authors: JL
authors: Burris
authors: Kent
authors: K
authors: Armeson
authors: Katherine Regan
authors: KR
authors: Sterba
mesh_terms: D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000523:psychology* / Q000532:radiotherapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008137:Longitudinal Studies; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010865:Pilot Projects; D016032:Randomized Controlled Trials as Topic; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: breast cancer; cancer survivorship; supportive care needs; unmet needs