Unmet supportive care needs and distress among NMSC patients

August 11, 2015

Highlights
  • One fifth of patients with NMSC report distress and unmet supportive care needs.
  • Unmet supportive care needs are associated with higher distress.
  • Informational needs are most prevalent.
  • #1 need: Having a member of the hospital staff to talk to about all aspects of NMSC.
  • #2 need: Information about skin protection/cancer prevention.
Abstract

Purpose
There is a paucity of psychosocial research on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) despite the fact that these malignancies mainly develop on the head and neck, frequently recur, and are associated with an increased risk for other cancers. The current study aims to respond to this gap in the scholarship by determining the prevalence of supportive care needs and examining the relationship between patients’ needs and distress.

Method
A cross-sectional research protocol included a consecutive sample of 60 patients with squamous and/or basal cell carcinomas who completed a survey comprised of the Skin Cancer Index (SCI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Supportive Care Needs (SCNS) Survey, an inquiry about informational needs regarding skin cancer prevention, and a socio-demographic questionnaire.

Results
More than half of the patients indicated unmet needs, most frequently endorsing moderate and high needs for help with: the prevention of future skin cancers, the health system and informational matters. Psychological needs were strongly associated with skin cancer-specific and general distress. Higher levels of anxious and depressive symptoms were related to greater patient needs across all domains.

Conclusions
Despite NMSC not being life threatening in most cases, there is a significant proportion of patients, who have unmet supportive care needs and experience heightened distress levels. This study raises awareness for health care professionals to be vigilant about the supportive care needs and the psychological health of patients with non-melanoma skin cancer.

Source:
Körner, A, et al. Supportive care needs and distress in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer: Nothing to worry about? European Journal of Oncology Nursing. Published Online 30 July 2015. http://www.ejoncologynursing.com/article/S1462-388...


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