Unmet supportive care needs and cancer worry in Hong Kong Chinese male cancer survivors

Abstract

Purpose: Unmet supportive care needs (SCNs) and cancer worry were understudied in Chinese male cancer survivors. Therefore, the aim of the present study was to investigate the prevalence of unmet SCNs and their impacts on cancer worry in this population. Methods: This prospective longitudinal study on Chinese cancer survivors were conducted in six public hospitals in Hong Kong. Study instruments included Supportive Care Needs Survey Short Form Chinese version and Assessment of Survivor Concerns. Multiple logistic regression was used to explore the association between unmet SCNs and cancer worry. Results: 404 males completed baseline interviews (within 6 months post‐treatment). 187, 92, 74, and 51 subjects were diagnosed with nasopharyngeal, colorectal, prostate, and lung cancer, respectively. Overall, the health systems and information (HSI) needs domains accounted for the top 5 prevalent unmet needs, reported by 50.0% to 29.7% of patients. 247 males completed 6‐month follow‐up interviews. 46.7% of subjects were worried about future diagnostic tests; 44.6% were worried about another type of cancer; and 57.5% were worried about cancer recurrence. Higher unmet need in HSI at baseline was associated with more worry about future diagnostic tests (adjusted odds ratio [aOR]: 1.05) and cancer recurrence (aOR: 1.06). Higher unmet need in psychological domain at baseline was associated with more worry about future diagnostic tests (aOR: 1.15), another type of cancer (aOR: 1.18), and cancer recurrence (aOR: 1.29). Conclusions: The findings suggest that survivorship programs must incorporate information support and strategies for managing fear of cancer recurrence.