title: The prevalence and nature of supportive care needs in lung cancer patients.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  In the present work, we set out to comprehensively describe the unmet supportive care and information needs of lung cancer patients.
  
  
  METHODS
  This cross-sectional study used the Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form 34 (34 items) and an informational needs survey (8 items). Patients with primary lung cancer in any phase of survivorship were included. Demographic data and treatment details were collected from the medical charts of participants. The unmet needs were determined overall and by domain. Univariable and multivariable regression analyses were performed to determine factors associated with greater unmet needs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  From August 2013 to February 2014, 89 patients [44 (49%) men; median age: 71 years (range: 44-89 years)] were recruited. The mean number of unmet needs was 8 (range: 0-34), and 69 patients (78%) reported at least 1 unmet need. The need proportions by domain were 52% health system and information, 66% psychological, 58% physical, 24% patient care, and 20% sexuality. The top 2 unmet needs were "fears of the cancer spreading" [n = 44 of 84 (52%)] and "lack of energy/tiredness" [n = 42 of 88 (48%)]. On multivariable analysis, more advanced disease and higher MD Anderson Symptom Inventory scores were associated with increased unmet needs. Patients reported that the most desired information needs were those for information on managing symptoms such as fatigue (78%), shortness of breath (77%), and cough (63%).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Unmet supportive care needs are common in lung cancer patients, with some patients experiencing a very high number of unmet needs. Further work is needed to develop resources to address those needs.
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: M E
authors.initials: ME
authors.lastname: Giuliani
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: R A
authors.initials: RA
authors.lastname: Milne
authors.affiliation: Lawrence S. Bloomberg Faculty of Nursing, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: M
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Puts
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: L R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Sampson
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: J Y Y
authors.initials: JY
authors.lastname: Kwan
authors.affiliation: Department of Biostatistics, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: L W
authors.initials: LW
authors.lastname: Le
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: S M H
authors.initials: SM
authors.lastname: Alibhai
authors.affiliation: Oncology Nursing Research, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Howell
authors.affiliation: Health Promotion and Wellness, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: N
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Abdelmutti
authors.affiliation: Division of Medical Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Liu
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Papadakos
authors.affiliation: Department of Radiation Oncology, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Catton
authors.affiliation: Cancer Survivorship Program, Princess Margaret Cancer Centre, Toronto, ON.
authors.forename: J
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Jones
keywords: Lung cancer; patient education; quality of life; supportive care; survivorship