Unmet Supportive Care Needs among Breast Cancer Survivors of Community-Based Support Group in Kuching, Sarawak.

Emmanuel Joseph Fong,Whye Lian Cheah

doi:10.1155/2016/7297813

Emmanuel Joseph Fong, Whye Lian Cheah

Open Access

https://doi.org/10.1155/2016/7297813

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Abstract

Background. Recognizing the needs of cancer survivors is one of the important aspects in healthcare delivery. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unmet supportive care needs and its associated factors among the breast cancer survivors of community-based support group in Kuching, Sarawak. Materials and Methods. This was a cross-sectional study using Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS-SF34). All the members of community-based breast cancer support groups in Kuching were invited. A total of 101 respondents were face-to-face interviewed after the consent was obtained. Data was entered and analyzed using SPSS version 20. Results. The respondents endorsed health system and information domain with the highest mean score (2.48; 95% CI: 2.32–2.64). Top 10 items with “moderate to high” level unmet needs had a prevalence of 14.9% to 34.7% of respondents indicating need. Significantly higher level of unmet needs was associated with survivors who were younger (less than 60 years old), had higher education attainment, were unemployed, had survival duration of up to 5 years, and were undergoing active treatment. Conclusion. Systematic delivery of health information which is targeted, culturally sensitive, and linguistically appropriate for addressing younger age, education level, employment status, length of survivorship, and treatment stage should be considered not only at hospital-based setting but also at the community-based support groups.

Highlights

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide [1]
This descriptive cross-sectional study was conducted among breast cancer survivors recruited from the communitybased nongovernmental organization (NGO) Sarawak Breast Cancer Support Group (SBCSG) in Kuching, Sarawak
The present study is a cross-sectional analysis of the perceived needs among breast cancer survivors in Kuching, Sarawak, Malaysia

Summary

Introduction

Breast cancer remains the most common cancer among women worldwide [1]. Similar experience is seen in Malaysia with breast cancer being the most common cancer among women [2]. Female breast cancer survivors are often weighed down by issues of physical lethargy, pain, breast sensitivity, and difficulty to concentrate which were associated with diminished physical functioning and emotional well-being [5]. This study aimed to determine the prevalence of unmet supportive care needs and its associated factors among the breast cancer survivors of community-based support group in Kuching, Sarawak. Higher level of unmet needs was associated with survivors who were younger (less than 60 years old), had higher education attainment, were unemployed, had survival duration of up to 5 years, and were undergoing active treatment. Systematic delivery of health information which is targeted, culturally sensitive, and linguistically appropriate for addressing younger age, education level, employment status, length of survivorship, and treatment stage should be considered at hospital-based setting and at the community-based support groups

Objectives

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Results

Conclusion