Physical and personal control problems, which may include sexual issues, are among the “unmet needs” of cancer survivors, according to a new study by American scientists.
These problems are especially common among survivors of prostate cancer, they found.
The researchers based their conclusions on the results of the Survey of Cancer Survivors II (SCS-II) conducted by the American Cancer Society in 2010.
It is common for cancer survivors to experience physical and psychosocial problems years after treatment, the authors explained. They wanted to learn more by examining one particular open-ended item on the survey: “Please tell us about any needs you have now as a cancer survivor that ARE NOT being met to your satisfaction.”
Overall, 9,105 people participated in the survey, with 990 women and 525 men responding to the open-ended question.
Over half of that subgroup were younger than age 64, and patients were identified as having one of six types of cancer: breast, prostate, colorectal, bladder, uterine, and skin melanoma. Fifty-four percent of the subgroup reported either physical or personal control problems, with both categories including difficulties with sexual function. These were especially common among prostate cancer survivors and respondents over age 65. In particular, prostate cancer survivors often reported sexual dysfunction and incontinence.
“The sense of low personal control may be an indicator of prolonged and/or unexpected morbidity related to cancer,” the authors wrote. “It also may be an important target for rehabilitation.”
Length of time since treatment did not appear to affect the number or type of unmet needs among respondents.
The study was first published online in January in the journal Cancer.
Resources
Cancer
Burg, Mary Ann, PhD, LCSW, et al.
“Current unmet needs of cancer survivors: Analysis of open-ended responses to the American Cancer Society Study of Cancer Survivors II”
(Full-text. First published online: January 12, 2015)
http://onlinelibrary.wiley.com/doi/10.1002/cncr.28951/full
Science 2.0
“Post-Treatment Cancer Survivors Battle Sexual Dysfunction, Anxiety Decades Later”
(January 12, 2015)
http://www.science20.com/news_articles/posttreatment_cancer_survivors_battle_sexual_dysfunction_anxiety_decades_later-152191