Abstract
PurposeThis qualitative study identifies difficulties and unmet needs in psychosocial aspect that Korean cancer survivors reported.Materials and MethodsWe enrolled 18 cancer survivors who agreed to participate in the focus groups. Each focus group consisted of four to six cancer survivors, considering homogeneity of sex and age. Participants were asked to freely describe the practical difficulties they faced and their unmet needs when living as cancer survivors. A cross-case interview analysis was used to identify major themes. Consensual qualitative research analysis was applied to complement the objectivity of results obtained from participants’ interviews.ResultsWe identified three major themes: 1) shifts what cancer connotes, 2) development of government policies regarding integrative management for cancer survivors, and 3) preparing for cancer survivors’ future through vocational rehabilitation or career development.ConclusionKorean cancer survivors had difficulties in psychosocial adjustment even after the completion of anti-cancer treatments. We identified several unmet needs among participants who were living as cancer survivors. This qualitative study may expand the view of cancer survivorship in Korea by incorporating their voices and experiences to facilitate the development of a more holistic cancer survivorship program.
Highlights
The number of cancer survivors is significantly increasing owing to early diagnosis and advances in treatment techniques in Korea
We identified several unmet needs among participants who were living as cancer survivors
This qualitative study may expand the view of cancer survivorship in Korea by incorporating their voices and experiences to facilitate the development of a more holistic cancer survivorship program
Summary
The number of cancer survivors is significantly increasing owing to early diagnosis and advances in treatment techniques in Korea. In 2011–2015, the 5-year relative survival rate for all cancers in Korea was 70.7%, there were approximately 1.6 million cancer survivors as of 2015 [1]. This increment has led health care planners and policymakers to facilitate integrative care for cancer survivors. As the number of long-term cancer survivors increases, HR-QOL emerges as one of major concerns along with survival. Cancer patients were found to have relatively lower HR-QOL than other patients with chronic illnesses [4]
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