Supportive care and information needs in relation to quality of life among patients with breast cancer and gynaecological cancer during the time of treatment

Abstract

Purpose: Although therapy and psychosocial care for patients with breast cancer and gynaecological cancer has improved in the last years, there are still many issues that require further investigation. Unmet supportive care needs can lead to a lower adherence to treatment and a lower quality of life. Patients' needs seem to be highest during the time of treatment. Thus, this study investigated needs and quality of life.

Methods: In this German prospective study, we enrolled 292 patients with breast cancer and gynaecological cancer during the time of treatment. Data on needs were assessed using instruments that had proven feasible in earlier studies. Data on quality of life (QoL) were assessed using the European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer QoL Core Questionnaire (EORTC QLQ-C30). We investigated correlations between needs and sociodemographic data as well as quality of life.

Results: Among all cancer entities we observed that 150 patients (51.5%) showed unmet information needs, 221 patients (75.7%) showed at least one high supportive care need, and 91 patients (31.2%) had psychological care needs. Data showed statistically significant correlations between these needs and sociodemographic data as well as quality of life. These correlations generally showed small to medium effect sizes. Older women showed less supportive care needs (r = - 0.24; p < 0.001), (r = - 0.15; p = 0.010). Furthermore, recruitment after surgery was associated with statistically significant higher information needs (r = 0.14; p = 0.015), whereas recruitment during chemotherapy was associated with statistically significant less information needs (r = - 0.15; p = 0.013). Positive correlations were shown for the level of received information and physical functioning (r = 0.12; p = 0.047), social functioning (r = 0.16; p = 0.009) and global quality of life (r = 0.19, p = 0.002) as well as satisfaction with information and physical (r = 0.16; p = 0.006), social (r = 0.24; p < 0.001), cognitive functioning (r = 0.14; p = 0.017) as well as global quality of life (r = 0.25; p < 0.001). Negative correlations were reported for information needs and emotional functioning (r = - 0.12; p = 0.035) and global quality of life (r = - 0.15; p = 0.011). Supportive care needs also correlated negatively with physical (r = - 0.23; p < 0.001), role (r = - 0.23; p < 0.001), emotional (r = - 0.35; p < 0.001), cognitive (r = - 0.24; p < 0.001), social functioning (r = - 0.30; p < 0.001), and global quality of life (r = - 0.35; p < 0.001). Also, patients with at least one high supportive care need correlated negatively with role (r = - 0.15; p = 0.014), emotional (r = - 0.23; p < 0.001), social functioning (r = - 0.30; p = 0.001), and global quality of life (r = - 0.35; p < 0.001). There was no statistical significance concerning cancer side. Thus, both groups are reported together. Furthermore, there was no statistical significance concerning disease status.

Conclusion: Overall, this study highlights the importance of tailored information and supportive care interventions. Addressing these needs, particularly in terms of information provision and psychosocial support, could lead to improved quality of life and better overall patient outcomes.

Keywords: Breast cancer; Gynaecological cancer- needs; Health care providers; Quality of life.