Characteristics of Cancer Survivors Attending a Cancer-Supportive Care Clinic
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Date
2024-05
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The Ohio State University
Abstract
Background: By 2032, it is expected that there will be 22.5 million cancer survivors in the United States. A key aspect of cancer survivorship care is ensuring patients have access to appropriate follow-up for unmet needs. The purpose of this study was to describe the characteristics of cancer survivors who attended a cancer-supportive care clinic.
Theoretical Framework: The Wilson and Cleary HQOL Theory was used to guide this study.
Methods: This retrospective study collected data from an internal database at a comprehensive cancer center between March 2013 and February 2023. The descriptive data included cancer-related health information, comorbidities, and substance use.
Results: Data were collected from 9,229 cancer survivors. Ninety percent of survivors had a completed treatment summary and survivorship care plan from a healthcare provider. All cancer diagnoses were included in the study; however, breast cancer was the most frequent (47%). Most were treated with surgery (88%), almost half had chemotherapy (47%), and 39% had radiation. Many survivors reported substance use. Forty-one percent reported current or previous tobacco use, with 22% current use. Sixty-two percent reported current or previous alcohol use, and 9.4% reported current or previous recreational drug use. Twenty percent of the sample reported a diagnosis of depression, and 15% reported a diagnosis of anxiety.
Conclusion: Substance use may be more prevalent among this group of cancer survivors who participated in a cancer-supportive care clinic. In addition, many survivors reported mental health disorders. This may suggest additional mental health and substance use screenings along with appropriate treatment referrals could bridge the gap for unmet needs in cancer survivors.
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Keywords
Cancer, Cancer survivorship, Cancer-Supportive Care Clinic