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Morris JN, Crawford-Williams F, Koczwara B, Chan RJ, Vardy J, Lisy K, Iddawela M, Mackay G, Jefford M. Current landscape of cancer survivorship research in Australia. Asia Pac J Clin Oncol 2023; 19:e305-e313. [PMID: 36658677 DOI: 10.1111/ajco.13914] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/18/2022] [Revised: 10/10/2022] [Accepted: 12/06/2022] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
AIM Response to the substantial and long-term impacts that a cancer diagnosis and treatment has on the growing population of cancer survivors, requires priority-driven, impactful research. This study aimed to map Australian cancer survivorship research activities to identify gaps and opportunities for improvement and compare activities against identified survivorship research priorities. METHODS An online survey was completed by Australian researchers regarding their cancer survivorship research, and the barriers they identified to conducting such research. Current research activity was compared to recently established Australian survivorship research priorities. RESULTS Overall, 178 participants completed the online survey. The majority of the research undertaken utilized survey or qualitative designs and focused on breast cancer, adult populations, and those in early survivorship (<5 years post-treatment). Barriers to conducting survivorship research included funding, collaboration and networking, mentoring, and time constraints. There was moderate alignment with existing research priorities. Investigating models of care and health service delivery were the most frequently researched priorities. Research priorities that were less commonly investigated included patient navigation, patient-reported outcomes, multimorbidity, fear of cancer recurrence, and economic issues. CONCLUSION This study provides the first snapshot of Australian survivorship research activity. Comparison to established priorities demonstrates health services research is receiving attention and highlights areas for potential pursuits, such as rare cancers or multimorbidity. Findings indicate the need for improved funding and infrastructure to support researchers in advancing the survivorship research agenda.
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Affiliation(s)
- Julia N Morris
- Behavioural Research and Evaluation Unit, Cancer Council SA, Eastwood, Australia
| | - Fiona Crawford-Williams
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
| | - Bogda Koczwara
- Flinders Centre for Innovation in Cancer, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
- Department of Medical Oncology, Flinders Medical Centre, Bedford Park, Australia
| | - Raymond J Chan
- Caring Futures Institute, College of Nursing and Health Sciences, Flinders University, Bedford Park, Australia
- Department of Cancer Services, Princess Alexandra Hospital, Woolloongabba, Australia
| | - Janette Vardy
- Concord Cancer Centre, Concord Repatriation General Hospital, Sydney, Australia
- Faculty of Medicine and Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Karolina Lisy
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Mahesh Iddawela
- Latrobe Regional Hospital, Traralgon, Australia
- Alfred Health, Melbourne, Australia
| | - Gillian Mackay
- Clinical Oncology Society of Australia (COSA), Sydney, Australia
| | - Michael Jefford
- Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre, Melbourne, Australia
- Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Australia
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Lee HJ, Kim YA, Ryu SY, Chun M, Yim CY, Kang HT, Kang JH, Huh JS, Kim JH, Lim KH, Jung SY, Kwon HC, Goh E, Lee YS, Ju HY, Yun EH, Chang YJ. The Positive Effects of Cancer Survivor Support Service on Distress in South Korea: A Nationwide Prospective Study. Front Med (Lausanne) 2022; 9:769221. [PMID: 35237619 PMCID: PMC8882982 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2022.769221] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2021] [Accepted: 01/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background and Aim Cancer survivors are gradually increasing, however, they suffer from various difficulties. We aimed to investigate the characteristics of cancer survivors and the effects of the services of the Korean Cancer Survivorship Center Pilot Project launched by the South Korean government on distress. Methods A prospective observational cohort study was performed on cancer survivors who completed primary treatment. Cancer survivors' distress and symptoms such as fatigue, pain, depressive mood, anxiety, and insomnia were evaluated by well-trained nurses. Regarding their needs, medical and psychosocial support services were provided. Results This study included 1,921 cancer survivors, with a mean age of 57.3 years (68.7% females). Breast cancer was most common, followed by stomach and colorectal cancer. Psychosocial and medical support decreased the percentage of the high-distress group from 50.9 to 30.5% and decreased the percentage of cancer survivors with high scores in fatigue, pain, anxiety, depressive mood, and insomnia. The independent predictors of a low distress level after the use of the services were older age, the relief of fatigue, pain, and insomnia. Conclusion This study showed that psychosocial and medical support is associated with the lower distress and physical and mental symptoms of cancer survivors. Psychosocial and medical support could contribute to distress relief in cancer survivors. Further management strategies for fatigue, pain and insomnia are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hyun Jeong Lee
- Division of Cancer Control and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- National Cancer Survivorship Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- Department of Psychiatry, Seoul National University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Young Ae Kim
- Division of Cancer Control and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- National Cancer Survivorship Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- *Correspondence: Young Ae Kim
| | - Seong Yeob Ryu
- Department of Surgery, Chonnam National University Medical School, Gwangju, South Korea
| | - Mison Chun
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Ajou University School of Medicine, Suwon, South Korea
| | - Chang-Yeol Yim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Research Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University, Jeonju, South Korea
- Biomedical Research Institute of Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Hee-Taik Kang
- Department of Family Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital, Cheongju, South Korea
- Department of Family Medicine, Chungbuk National University College of Medicine, Cheongju, South Korea
| | - Jung Hun Kang
- Division of Hematology-Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, College of Medicine, Gyeong-Sang National University, Jinju, South Korea
- Department of Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Hospital, Jinju, South Korea
| | - Jung-Sik Huh
- Department of Urology, School of Medicine, Jeju National University, Jeju, South Korea
| | - Jong-Heun Kim
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Kyu-Hyoung Lim
- Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital, Kangwon National University School of Medicine, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - So-Youn Jung
- Breast Cancer Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Hyoung-Cheol Kwon
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
- Institute of Clinical Medicine of Chonbuk National University-Biomedical Research Institute, Chonbuk National University Hospital, Jeonju, South Korea
- Department of Radiation Oncology, Chonbuk National University Medical School, Jeonju, South Korea
| | - Eurah Goh
- Department of Family Medicine, Postgraduate College of Medicine, Kangwon National University, Chuncheon, South Korea
| | - Yeon-Seung Lee
- Division of Cancer Control and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Hee Young Ju
- Cancer Survivorship Branch, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- Department of Pediatrics, Samsung Medical Center, Seoul, South Korea
| | - E. Hwa Yun
- Division of Cancer Control and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- National Cancer Survivorship Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- Division of Cancer Registration and Surveillance, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
| | - Yoon Jung Chang
- Division of Cancer Control and Policy, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- National Cancer Survivorship Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- Center for Cancer Prevention and Detection, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- National Hospice Center, National Cancer Center, Goyang, South Korea
- Department of Cancer Control and Population Health, National Cancer Center Graduate School of Cancer Science and Policy, Goyang, South Korea
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