Abstract
Patients with colorectal cancer (CRC) face a number of challenges leading up to diagnosis; however, research is limited regarding their specific needs during the pre-diagnosis period. A multicenter cross-sectional survey was conducted to elicit information about the CRC experience during the pre-diagnosis phase. Across the three sites, 104 eligible patients were approached, and 82 patients completed the survey, for a total response rate of 78.9 %. The needs most identified by participants during the pre-diagnosis period were informational (31.6 %) and emotional (20.3 %) needs; social needs were rated as the least important need for these patients (7 %). The majority (84.0 %) reported that these needs were met. Participants reported feeling shocked or overwhelmed on learning of their diagnosis (57.1 %) and high levels of anxiety during this time (40.0 %). The majority (77.9 %) of participants reported that they were not directed to any resources to help address their anxiety. Informational and emotional needs are identified as the most important needs during the pre-diagnosis phase, and for most these needs are being met; however, some participants are experiencing high levels of anxiety without access to appropriate resources. Further work is required to understand the optimal mechanisms to address identified needs during this pre-diagnosis period and to assess the potential benefits and costs of addressing these needs.
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Acknowledgments
This research was supported by funding from Cancer Care Ontario. The authors gratefully acknowledge the participation of the patients and the contribution of the oncologists and research staff involved in this study at the Juravinski Cancer Centre, the Thunder Bay Regional Cancer Care, and the Princess Margaret Hospital. The opinions, results and conclusions reported in this article are those of the authors and not necessarily those of Cancer Care Ontario.
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Wiljer, D., Walton, T., Gilbert, J. et al. Understanding the Needs of Colorectal Cancer Patients during the Pre-diagnosis Phase. J Canc Educ 28, 402–407 (2013). https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0465-1
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DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s13187-013-0465-1