In a study reported in the Journal of Clinical Oncology, Smith et al found that a high proportion of patients in community cancer centers did not report discussing, getting advice, or receiving desired help for cancer-related pain, fatigue, or emotional distress.
The study involved surveys of patients from 17 hospital-based community cancer centers participating in the National Cancer Institute Community Cancer Centers Program. Patients had local/regional breast cancer (82%) or colon cancer (18%). Overall, 2,487 patients completed surveys (61% response rate).
Key Findings
The investigators reported the following study findings:
The investigators concluded, “In our sample, 30% to 50% of patients with cancer in community cancer centers did not report discussing, getting advice, or receiving desired help for pain, fatigue, or emotional distress. This finding suggests that there is room for improvement in the management of these three common cancer-related symptoms. Higher proportions of talk and advice among those experiencing symptoms imply that many discussions may be patient-initiated. Lower rates of talk and advice among those who are further in time from treatment suggest the need for more assessment among longer-term survivors, many of whom continue to experience these symptoms. These findings seem to be especially important given the high prevalence of these symptoms in our sample.”
Tenbroeck G. Smith, MA, of the Behavioral and Epidemiology Research Group, American Cancer Society, is the corresponding author for the Journal of Clinical Oncology article.
Disclosure: The study was funded by the American Cancer Society Intramural Research Department and the National Cancer Institute. For full disclosures of the study authors, visit jco.ascopubs.org.
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