Poster Presentation Clinical Oncology Society of Australia Annual Scientific Meeting 2023

Variations in supportive care needs between patients with breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian and prostate cancer in Australia: across-sectional survey (#486)

Anna C Singleton 1 2 , Nashid Hafiz 2 , Raymond Chan 3 , Amy Von Huben 2 , Rodney Ritchie 4 , Nikki Davis 5 , Kirsty Stuart 6 7 , Aaron Sverdlov 8 9 , Rebecca Raeside 2 , Karice K Hyun 2 10 , Stephanie R Partridge 2 , Elisabeth Elder 2 6 , Julie Redfern 2 11
  1. Engagement and Co-design Research Hub, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  2. The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  3. Flinders University, Adelaide, South Australia, Australia
  4. Male Breast Cancer Global Alliance, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  5. Primary Care Collaborative Cancer Clinical Trials Group Consumer Advisory Group, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  6. Westmead Breast Cancer Institute, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  7. Crown Princess Mary Cancer Centre, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  8. University of Newcastle, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  9. John Hunter Hospital, Newcastle, NSW, Australia
  10. Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, NSW, Australia
  11. University of New South Wales, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background: Over 1.5million Australians are living with/beyond cancer and over half of them with breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian or prostate cancer. The majority have unmet information or psychosocial needs.

Aim: To evaluate variations in supportive care needs during and after treatment between cancer types.

Methods: Australian adults with a history of breast, colorectal, lung, ovarian or prostate cancer, recruited through Facebook advertisements and stakeholder e-newsletters. Participants completed a purpose-built, cross-sectional, consumer/researcher co-designed online survey (34-items). Quantitative data were summarised using summary statistics; mean±standard deviation and frequencies/percentages and compared using chi-square and Bonferroni adjustment. Free-text responses were analysed thematically.

Results: Participants (N=457) had a mean age 59±11years (range 26-83years) and were diagnosed with breast (23%), colorectal (20%), lung (18%), ovarian (18%), prostate (19%) or multiple cancers (2%). Most were female (71%), born in Australia (77%) and one-third were from regional/rural/remote areas. Participants reported receiving ‘some-’ or ‘little to no information’ during versus post-treatment (33% vs 53%). During treatment, there was variability between cancer types in desiring information about free health programs (X2[5]=20.70, p<0.001; e.g. 63% colorectal, 31% prostate), financial support (X2[5]=11.313, p=0.046; e.g. 32% breast, 24% ovarian) and sexual health (X2[5]=47.725, p<0.001; e.g. 45% prostate, 6% lung). Between cancer types, participants equally desired information regarding diet, exercise or mental health/self-care.. After active treatment, there was variability in desire for information about diet (X2[5]=16.25, p=0.012; e.g. 39% colorectal, 13% lung) and sexual health (X2[5]=24.01, p<0.01; e.g. 33% prostate, 5% lung) but participants equally desired information about exercise, mental health, fear of recurrence, side effects and financial assistance.. Qualitative results found ‘seeking support immediately’, ‘being prepared’ and ‘leading a healthy lifestyle’ were important for managing mental and physical health during and after treatment.

Conclusions: Participants had shared and cancer-specific supportive care needs during and after treatment, which could inform development of future interventions. Early and accessible intervention were key themes across cancer types.