Translation and psychometric testing of Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs, Chinese version

Psychometric properties of the Slovenian version of the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs (CaSUN-SL) measure in post-treatment cancer survivors

Background

As the number of cancer survivors is growing, valid instruments for assessing cancer survivors' needs are required. Thus, the aim of this study was to translate and validate the Cancer Survivors Unmet Needs (CaSUN) scale.

Methods

Cancer survivors were recruited from 30 family medicine practices and separated into two samples (sample 1, n = 147; sample 2, n = 148). Factor structure was explored with an exploratory analysis in sample 1 and determined with a confirmatory analysis in sample 2. Psychometric properties were assessed with internal consistency, test–retest reliability and construct validity.

Results

A translation and cultural adaptation of the CaSUN scale resulted in 34 items being included in the final version. The factor structure confirmed the five-factors solution of the CaSUN-SL. Cronbach’s alpha was 0.94 for the CaSUN-SL and ranged from 0.71–0.88 for specific domains. Test–retest reliability showed moderate-high stability over time. The CaSUN-SL significantly and positively correlated with anxiety (r = 0.49), depression (r = 0.44), health-related quality of life (r = 0.36), and negatively with self-perceived health (r =  − 0.36) and resilience (r =  − 0.47), which confirms the construct validity. In addition, we found a significant correlation between unmet needs and age (r =  − 0.29), gender (r = 0.14), cancer stage (r = 0.20), cancer type (r = 0.19), and time since treatment (r =  − 0.20).

Conclusions

Results indicate that CaSUN-SL is a valid and reliable measure to assess the Slovenian cancer survivors’ unmet, met and total needs and can be used for further prospective studies.

Trial Registration: No. 0120-25/2019/6.

Translation and psychometric testing of the Thai version of Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs measure among cancer survivors

Objective

To evaluate the psychometric properties of the Thai version of the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet needs (CaSUN-TH) scale among Thai cancer survivors after completion of primary treatment.

Methods

Standardized translation procedures developed the Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs into a Thai version (CaSUN-TH). Face validity was evaluated by a group of experts, and a pilot test on 10 cancer patients was conducted to evaluate its readability. A total of 236 cancer survivors who were attending follow-up visits at a cancer hospital in Thailand completed the CaSUN-TH. The internal consistency of the instrument was examined using Cronbach’s α. The association of the CaSUN-TH and its subscales with physical symptoms, QoL, age, gender, and type of cancer were examined for criterion validity and known-group validity. Construct validity was evaluated using confirmatory factor analysis.

Results

The CaSUN-TH showed good readability and high content validity for use as an instrument to assess unmet needs among Thai cancer survivors. Cronbach’s α for the entire scale was 0.95. Confirmatory factor analysis indicated that the five-factor structure of the CaSUN-TH was good fit to the data (CFI ​= ​0.901, SRMR ​= ​0.074, RMSEA ​= ​0.076 [90% confidence interval, 0.066–0.085]). In terms of construct validity, CaSUN-TH scores significantly correlated to other variables hypothesized to influence the level of need, including higher physical symptoms prevalence was related to poor quality of life, and poorer QOL and younger age were associated with a higher level of unmet needs. In addition, the scale was able to differentiate scores between groups, including gender, age, and type of primary cancer, with theoretically hypothesized differences.

Conclusions

The CaSUN-TH demonstrated appropriate psychometric properties for assessing unmet needs in different cancer survivor groups in Thailand. Using the CaSUN-TH can help health professionals in targeting individual survivor needs, bridging the gap between patients’ experiences and their expectations, and improving the quality of cancer survivorship care.

Unmet Supportive Care Needs and Associated Factors: a Cross-sectional Survey of Chinese Cancer Survivors

To assess cancer survivors' unmet supportive care needs and associated factors. Limited evidence is available about the supportive care needs of Chinese cancer survivors to inform future service planning. A cross-sectional survey was conducted (STROBE cross-sectional checklist used for report). Standardized questionnaires were administered to 364 cancer survivors. Using the Supportive Care Framework as conceptual framework, factors concerning individuals' cognitive appraisals of their situation and social resources were examined to explore their association with unmet supportive care needs. The most common unmet supportive care needs included concern about the cancer coming back (51.5%), the need for up-to-date information (49.3%), collaborative management with the medical team (48.8%), and financial support (48.8%). Factors associated with greater strength of unmet supportive care needs included being female, having higher personal support, and higher self-efficacy pertaining to social relationship. Having lower support from family and friends was a contributing factor associated with greater strength of unmet needs in comprehensive cancer care and relationship, as was lower self-efficacy pertaining to uncertainty management associated with greater strength of unmet needs in quality of life, and lower self-efficacy pertaining to health professional interaction associated with greater strength of unmet needs in information. Chinese cancer survivors experience a number of unmet supportive needs. Female and rural cancer survivors, and those with lower social support level and self-efficacy are susceptible to having higher levels of unmet supportive care needs. Consistent information provision and peer support system establishment are two potentially beneficial approaches to meet cancer patients' long-term supportive care needs. Females and rural cancer survivors, those with less support from family and friends, and those with lower self-efficacy in interactions with health professionals and in managing uncertainty are especially at risk for unmet supportive care needs.

Evaluation of the Japanese Version of the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs Scale

Objective

This study aimed to evaluate the psychometric properties of the Japanese version of the Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs (CaSUN-J) scale among cancer survivors in Japan.

Methods

The CaSUN-J was developed using standardized translation methodology. Content validity was evaluated by a group of experts, and a pilot test was conducted with a convenience sample of 10 cancer patients. A total of 183 Japanese cancer survivors completed the CaSUN-J. The internal consistency of the scale was examined with Cronbach's α. Construct validity was analyzed using correlations with the physical effects, quality of life (QoL), and age. To assess the factorial validity of the CaSUN-J, confirmatory factor analysis (CFA) was performed.

Results

The CaSUN-J indicated good readability and high content validity for use as an assessment tool among Japanese cancer survivors. All Cronbach's α coefficients were above the minimum acceptable criterion of ≥0.70. For construct validity, higher physical effect scores, as well as poorer QoL scores and younger patients, were significantly positively associated with higher levels of needs. CFA indicated that the five-factor structure of the CaSUN-J was a good fit to the data.

Conclusions

The CaSUN-J can serve as a valid and reliable tool to evaluate unmet needs among Japanese cancer survivors.