title: The supportive care needs for prostate cancer patients in Sarawak.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  This cross-sectional study aimed to determine the prevalence of unmet supportive care needs among prostate cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  The cross-sectional study was conducted among all prostate cancer patients at the Sarawak General Hospital. Interview was done using the Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form (SCNS-SF) and the Health Service Utilization Questionnaires (HSUQ). Data were analysed using Statistical Package for the Social Sciences (SPSS) 20.
  
  
  RESULTS
  A total of ninety-five patients participated, with majority were aged 65 and above and of primary educational level. The two most frequently reported unmet supportive care needs were "informed about cancer which is under control or diminishing" and "informed about things you can do to help yourself to get well" under the domain Health System and Information. Respondents who were older (65 years and above) had significant lower unmet needs in psychology (P<0.01), and sexuality compared to the younger group below 65 years (P<0.01). Except for physical and daily living, respondents with primary school level had significant lower unmet needs in all domains compared to secondary school level. Respondents with known stages of cancer had higher unmet needs in all domains compared to those who did not know.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Healthcare providers should provide more responsive, emotionally sensitive and client-centered care to patients with prostate cancer, particularly in the area of Health System and Information, and psychological support.
authors.affiliation: Department of Community Medicine & Public Health, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, 94300 Kota Samarahan, Sarawak, Malaysia. wlcheah@unimas.my.
authors.forename: Whye Lian
authors.initials: WL
authors.lastname: Cheah
authors.affiliation: Department of Urology, Sarawak General Hospital, Sarawak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Ngok Chuo
authors.initials: NC
authors.lastname: Ling
authors.affiliation: Medical Education Unit, Faculty of Medicine & Health Sciences, Universiti Malaysia Sarawak, Sarawak, Malaysia.
authors.forename: Kam Hock
authors.initials: KH
authors.lastname: Chang
mesh_terms: D000368:Aged; D003430:Cross-Sectional Studies; D005500:Follow-Up Studies; D006301:Health Services Needs and Demand / Q000639:trends*; D006801:Humans; D008296:Malaysia / Q000453:epidemiology; D008297:Male; D020380:Needs Assessment / Q000639:trends*; D011379:Prognosis; D011471:Prostatic Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology / Q000523:psychology*; D012944:Social Support; D012959:Socioeconomic Factors
keywords: Prostate cancer; supportive care needs; unmet needs