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K. Abramson
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P3.05 - Poster Session with Presenters Present (ID 475)
- Event: WCLC 2016
- Type: Poster Presenters Present
- Track: Palliative Care/Ethics
- Presentations: 1
- Moderators:
- Coordinates: 12/07/2016, 14:30 - 15:45, Hall B (Poster Area)
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P3.05-017 - Survivor Guilt: The Secret Burden of Lung Cancer Survivorship (ID 5171)
14:30 - 14:30 | Author(s): K. Abramson
- Abstract
Background:
The 5-year observed survival rate for a stage IV non-small cell lung cancer patient is less than five percent. Such a small survival rate begs the questions of how these survivors might feel. Many survivors feel a deep-seated sense of guilt; a phenomenon known as survivor guilt. The goal of the present study was to identify the prevalence of survivor guilt among lung cancer patients, while also pinpointing themes among those who are affected.
Methods:
A questionnaire containing a subset of the published IGQ-67 Interpersonal Guilt Questionnaire was completed via Survey Monkey by 108 respondents. Respondents were also given a definition of survivor guilt with an open-ended question on their feelings toward surviving lung cancer when others did not. Qualitative analysis was conducted on open-ended text responses for respondents with the most measured survivor guilt. After key qualitative themes were established from the initial survey, focus groups were held in survivors who experienced high and low levels of survivor guilt to further explore the themes.
Results:
This study indicates that a significant amount of survivor guilt is experienced among lung cancer survivors. 55% of respondents identified as having experienced survivor guilt, yet 63.9% of respondents scored above average on the IGQ-67 Survivor Guilt Scale. Qualitative analysis established five recurring themes among 25% of respondents with the highest measured survivor guilt. Targeted focus groups revealed further commonalities among those with high and low levels of measured survivor guilt.
Conclusion:
This study identifies the prevalence of survivor guilt in lung cancer survivors and shows survivor guilt as a major psychosocial challenge. Further research across all cancer types must be explored in order to develop effective coping mechanisms for sufferers. This study develops the basis for future research directions in creating tools to identify, assess and treat survivor guilt in survivors of all cancers.
