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J. Bankhead
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OA21 - Palliative and Supportive Care for Lung Cancer Patients (ID 405)
- Event: WCLC 2016
- Type: Oral Session
- Track: Palliative Care/Ethics
- Presentations: 1
- Moderators:C.A. Silva, H. Watzke
- Coordinates: 12/07/2016, 11:00 - 12:30, Schubert 5
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OA21.03 - Unmet Needs in Physical and Emotional Side Effects during Lung Cancer Treatment and Survivorship (ID 4380)
11:20 - 11:30 | Author(s): J. Bankhead
- Abstract
- Presentation
Background:
Previous research has shown that supportive care needs in lung cancer patients are high and that this population may have significantly more unmet care needs than other cancer patients. Our goals for this study were to determine the most prevalent and problematic side-effects of lung cancer and lung cancer treatment in our community and to understand where both patients and caregivers felt there were unmet needs.
Methods:
A Community Needs Assessment survey was distributed to lung cancer patients and caregivers electronically between 11/9/2015 and 2/8/2016. 820 people responded, including 471 patients/survivors and 349 caregivers, 181 of whom identified as the primary caregiver. The overall completion rate was 72.6%, similar for both groups. Respondents identified all side effects they or their loved one experienced during and after treatment, as well as 5+ years after diagnosis. They also indicated which of these side-effects were most problematic during those time periods. Respondents were also for demographic information and for open-ended responses about their unmet needs during care and follow-up.
Results:
Respondents indicated a high rate of side effects, with over 95% reporting at least one. Importantly, both patients and caregivers reported that physical side effects were significantly more problematic during treatment but that emotional side effects were more problematic after treatment and in the long-term. Patients rated anxiety, fatigue, and shortness of breath as the most problematic short and long-term post-treatment side effects, with 18-29% of patients indicating these items at a particular time period. During treatment, gastrointestinal issues including constipation (18%), diarrhea (17%), and nausea (14%) were also identified as highly problematic side effects by the patients. Caregivers reported similar effects but also rated pain as problematic across all time periods (15-24%) and identified loss of appetite (28%) and weight loss (25%) during treatment. When questioned about unmet needs during treatment and survivorship, respondents frequently commented that their treatment team focused on treatment and survival and not on managing side effects.
Conclusion:
Side effect management is a clear unmet need for lung cancer patients and to help support their caregivers. Our data show high levels of emotional and physical side effects and a perceived lack of support for proper management. Notably, emotional side effects are prevalent after treatment for lung cancer into long-term survivorship and are frequently cited as the most problematic issue for those no longer in active treatment.
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