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Journal of Cancer Survivorship

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01-12-2020 | Breast Cancer

Unmet information needs predict anxiety in early survivorship in young women with breast cancer

Authors: Kristen Barr, David Hill, Ashley Farrelly, Meron Pitcher, Victoria White

Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship | Issue 6/2020

Abstract

Purpose

To examine variations in anxiety and longitudinal associations between unmet supportive care needs and elevated anxiety in young women (< 50 years) within 13 months of their breast cancer diagnosis.

Methods

Two hundred and nine women recruited through Victorian Cancer Registry completed questionnaires at study entry (T1) (average 7 months post-diagnosis) then 3 (T2) and 6 months later (T3). Women completed the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) and Supportive Care Needs Survey-Breast Cancer (SCNS-Breast) at each time point. Primary outcome was anxiety with six domains of SCNS-Breast (physical daily living, information, psychological, health system information, peer support, patient care and miscellaneous needs) the key predictors. Generalised estimating equations examined longitudinal associations.

Results

Over the 6 months, the proportion of young women with elevated anxiety decreased (T1, 41% to T3, 35%; p = .06) as did the proportion with any moderate or high unmet needs (T1, 88%; T3, 74%; p < .01). While psychological needs and peer needs were positively associated with anxiety levels in multivariable cross-sectional analyses, in multivariable longitudinal analysis, only informational needs were associated with higher levels of anxiety (p < .001) with this association holding after adjusting for baseline anxiety levels.

Conclusions

While reducing over time, a third of young women treated for breast cancer enter early survivorship with elevated anxiety and unmet supportive care needs.

Implications for Cancer Survivors

As informational needs were positively associated with future levels of anxiety, addressing needs in this domain may decrease the risk of anxiety in younger women with breast cancer.

Available only for authorised users

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Title: Unmet information needs predict anxiety in early survivorship in young women with breast cancer
Authors: Kristen Barr
David Hill
Ashley Farrelly
Meron Pitcher
Victoria White
Publication date: 01-12-2020
Publisher: Springer US
Keywords: Breast Cancer
Breast Cancer
Anxiety
Published in: Journal of Cancer Survivorship / Issue 6/2020
Print ISSN: 1932-2259
Electronic ISSN: 1932-2267
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s11764-020-00895-7

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