Unmet needs of Australian and Canadian haematological cancer survivors: a cross-sectional international comparative study

Abstract

Objective: Few population-based studies have assessed the needs of haematological cancer survivors or conducted international comparisons. We aimed to assess and compare the unmet needs of Australian and Canadian haematological cancer survivors.

Methods: Two cross-sectional datasets were analysed. Survivors were recruited from population-based cancer registries and sent a self-report survey containing the Survivors Unmet Needs Survey. Australians were aged 18-80 years at the time of study and diagnosed in the last 3 years. Canadians were diagnosed 1-5 years prior and aged 19 years and over at diagnosis.

Results: A total of 268 Australian and 169 Canadian survivors returned a completed survey. 'Dealing with feeling tired' was identified as the highest concern by survivors. Country (LRχ(2)=4.0(1), p=0.045) was associated with survivors reporting a 'high/very high' unmet need with 'worry about earning money,' with Australians reporting marginally nonsignificantly higher odds than Canadians (OR 2.1; 95% CI; 0.99, 4.3). Country was not significantly associated with any other outcome. Having a personal expense in the last month as a result of having cancer, younger age at diagnosis, female sex, vocational or other level education, and consulting a health care professional for cancer treatment or concerns about cancer in the last month were associated with multiple areas of need.

Conclusions: Australian and Canadian haematological cancer survivors were found to experience similar levels of unmet needs. Overall, haematological cancer survivors may require additional assistance in dealing with feeling tired.

Keywords: cancer survivor; hematologic neoplasms; needs assessment; psycho-social oncology; unmet needs.