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Supportive care needs in predicting the acceptance of illness among gynecological cancer patients undergoing therapy: a cross-sectional study

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aimed to examine the effect of supportive care needs and related factors in the acceptance of illness by gynecological cancer patients undergoing therapy.

Methods

A cross-sectional design was adopted. The study included 190 gynecologic cancer patients by convenience sampling method. The personal information form, Acceptance of Illness Scale, and Supportive Care Needs a Survey-Short Form were used for data collection. ANOVA, t-test, Pearson’s correlation test, and hierarchical regression analysis were used for analyzing the data.

Results

Most participants (72.6%) had moderate acceptance of illness, and the Supportive Care Needs a Survey-Short Form total score was a moderate level, at 84.93 ± 18.86. All the patients stated that their need for supportive care had caused them much concern, thus needing additional help. The acceptance of illness was negatively related to unmet supportive care needs (r =−0.515, p = 0.001) and all its subscales [health care service and informing, psychology, sexuality, daily life, (r = −0.343, r = −0.447, r = −0.341, r = −0.408, respectively; p < 0.05)]. Hierarchical regression analyses indicated unmet psychology (β = −0.305), daily life (β = −0.205) and sexuality needs (β = −0.167), perceived income (β = 0.290), and occupation (β = −0.167), explaining 45% of the acceptance of illness.

Conclusions

Acceptance of illness of gynecological cancer patients undergoing therapy needs to be improved. Perceived income and occupation are positive predictors, and unmet psychology, daily life, and sexuality needs are negative predictors of acceptance of illness.

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Data availability

The data that support the findings of this study are available on request from the corresponding author. The data are not publicly available due to privacy or ethical restrictions.

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Acknowledgements

The authors would like to thank all the participants without their participation this study would not have been possible.

Funding

This study was self-funded.

Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Obstetrics and Gynecologic Nursing, Faculty of Nursing, Hacettepe University, 06100, Sihhiye, Ankara, Turkey

    Fatma Uslu-Sahan

  2. Gynecologic Oncology Clinic, Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Hacettepe University Hospitals, Ankara, Turkey

    Naciye Gulcan

Authors
  1. Fatma Uslu-Sahan
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  2. Naciye Gulcan
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Contributions

FUS was involved in conceptualization, supervision, investigation methodology, formal analysis, writing, reviewing, and editing; NG was involved in conceptualization, data collecting, investigation, and writing original draft preparation.

Corresponding author

Correspondence to Fatma Uslu-Sahan.

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Ethical approval

The study protocol has been approved by the Non-Interventional Clinical Research Ethics Committee of the University (code number: 04/63). The study followed the Declaration of Helsinki and relevant guidelines and regulations. Each participant supplied written consent after being informed of the risks and benefits of the study. Participants were permitted to leave the study without providing a reason.

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The authors declare no competing interests.

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Uslu-Sahan, F., Gulcan, N. Supportive care needs in predicting the acceptance of illness among gynecological cancer patients undergoing therapy: a cross-sectional study. Support Care Cancer 32, 61 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-023-08270-9

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