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Körner A, Garland R, Czajkowska Z, Coroiu A, Khanna M. Supportive care needs and distress in patients with non-melanoma skin cancer: Nothing to worry about? Eur J Oncol Nurs 2015; 20:150-5. [PMID: 26236032 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejon.2015.07.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/29/2014] [Revised: 06/16/2015] [Accepted: 07/13/2015] [Indexed: 01/15/2023]
Abstract
PURPOSE There is a paucity of psychosocial research on non-melanoma skin cancer (NMSC) despite the fact that these malignancies mainly develop on the head and neck, frequently recur, and are associated with an increased risk for other cancers. The current study aims to respond to this gap in the scholarship by determining the prevalence of supportive care needs and examining the relationship between patients' needs and distress. METHOD A cross-sectional research protocol included a consecutive sample of 60 patients with squamous and/or basal cell carcinomas who completed a survey comprised of the Skin Cancer Index (SCI), the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), the Supportive Care Needs (SCNS) Survey, an inquiry about informational needs regarding skin cancer prevention, and a socio-demographic questionnaire. RESULTS More than half of the patients indicated unmet needs, most frequently endorsing moderate and high needs for help with: the prevention of future skin cancers, the health system and informational matters. Psychological needs were strongly associated with skin cancer-specific and general distress. Higher levels of anxious and depressive symptoms were related to greater patient needs across all domains. CONCLUSIONS Despite NMSC not being life threatening in most cases, there is a significant proportion of patients, who have unmet supportive care needs and experience heightened distress levels. This study raises awareness for health care professionals to be vigilant about the supportive care needs and the psychological health of patients with non-melanoma skin cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Annett Körner
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, 3700 McTavish Street, Suite 614, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1Y2, Canada; Louise Granofsky Psychosocial Oncology Program, Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte-Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada; Psychosocial Oncology Program, McGill University Health Centre, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada; Department of Oncology, McGill University, 546 Pine Avenue West, Montreal, Quebec, H2W 1S6, Canada.
| | - Rosalind Garland
- Ingram School of Nursing, McGill University, Wilson Hall, 3506 University Street, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 2A7, Canada.
| | - Zofia Czajkowska
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, 3700 McTavish Street, Suite 614, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1Y2, Canada.
| | - Adina Coroiu
- Department of Educational and Counselling Psychology, McGill University, 3700 McTavish Street, Suite 614, Montreal, Quebec, H3A 1Y2, Canada.
| | - Manish Khanna
- Department of Medicine, McGill University, 1650 Cedar Avenue, Room D6.237, Montreal, Quebec, H3G 1A4, Canada; Dermatology-Oncology Unit, Segal Cancer Centre, Jewish General Hospital, 3755 Côte-Ste-Catherine Road, Montreal, Quebec, H3T 1E2, Canada.
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