Changes in supportive care needs after first-line treatment for ovarian cancer: identifying care priorities and risk factors for future unmet needs

Abstract

Objective: The objective of this paper is to determine changes in supportive care needs after first-line treatment for ovarian cancer and identify risk factors for future unmet needs.

Methods: Two hundred and nineteen women with ovarian cancer were asked to complete a baseline survey 6-12 months after diagnosis then follow-up surveys every 6 months for up to 2 years. The validated Supportive Care Needs Survey-Short Form measured 34 needs across five domains. Logistic regression identified baseline variables associated with future needs.

Results: At baseline, standardized median scores (possible range 0-100, least-to-greatest need) within the psychological, system/information, physical, patient care and sexuality need domains were 25, 20, 15, 15 and 8, respectively. The most frequently reported moderate-to-high unmet needs at baseline were needing help with fear about cancer spreading (25%), concerns about worries of those close (20%), being informed about things to help get well (20%), uncertainty about future (19%) and lack of energy (18%). All except the item about being informed were still reported as unmet needs by ≥ 15% of women 2 years later. Median health system/information, patient care and sexuality need scores decreased over 2 years (p<0.05), whereas psychological and physical scores remained constant. Risk factors for having ≥ 1 moderate-to-high unmet overall, psychological or physical need 1-2 years after baseline included older age, advanced disease, unmet need, anxiety, depression, insomnia and less social support at baseline.

Conclusion: Women with ovarian cancer report needing ongoing assistance to deal with psychological and physical needs over the first 2 years after first-line treatment. Targeting individuals at risk of future unmet needs should be prioritized.

Keywords: needs assessment; oncology; ovarian cancer; risk factors; supportive care.