Identifying the most prevalent unmet needs of cancer survivors in Australia: A systematic review

Abstract

Understanding the unmet needs of cancer survivors is crucial to inform health service planning and optimize survivorship care. This systematic review sought to identify the most prevalent unmet needs of cancer survivors in Australia, and to determine personal, disease, and treatment-related variables correlated with unmet needs. Seventeen studies were included in the review. Substantial heterogeneity across the included studies precluded statistical pooling of the data; narrative synthesis and vote counting were used to synthesize results. Unmet needs were ranked by the number of endorsements (n) each item received. The most frequently reported unmet needs of Australian cancer survivors are for help with psychosocial issues, including fear of cancer recurrence (n = 14; 14–42%), uncertainty about the future (n = 9; 12–26%), worry about partners, friends, and families (n = 8; 12–26%), help to reduce stress (n = 8; 12–34%), and sexual changes (n = 7; 11–29%). Survivors also needed more help with physical issues, including fatigue (n = 7; 10–27%) and usual activities (n = 6; 13–27%), and expressed supportive care unmet needs, including for affordable hospital car parking (n = 7; 12–26%), information about available services (n = 7; 11–33%), and peer support (n = 6; 13–26%). Anxiety, depression, and lower overall and physical quality of life were significantly correlated with greater unmet needs, as were younger age and more advanced disease.