Journal article
The relationship between unmet needs and distress amongst young people with cancer
GJ Dyson, K Thompson, S Palmer, DM Thomas, P Schofield
Supportive Care in Cancer | SPRINGER | Published : 2012
Abstract
Purpose: Most psychosocial research in cancer has been restricted to paediatric or older adult populations. This study aimed to explore psychological distress and unmet needs in adolescents and young adults (AYA) with cancer and identify predictors of distress among demographic and illness characteristics and supportive care needs. Methods: Fifty-three patients between 16 and 30 years completed a cross-sectional survey, administered shortly after presentation to an AYA oncology service and within 4 months of diagnosis. Measures included the Beck Depression Inventory-Fast Screen (BDI-FS), State-Trait Anxiety Inventory-State Form (STAI-S) and the Supportive Care Needs Survey. Level of distress..
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Funding Acknowledgements
The authors would like to acknowledge the other team members of onTrac@PeterMac, Victorian Adolescent and Young Adult Cancer Service, for their assistance with recruitment of participants and data collection. The authors would also like to thank Mrs Gaelle Dutu and Mr Carl Baravelli for their assistance with statistical analysis and Dr Felicity Sleeman for her considered feedback with this paper. Associate Professor David M. Thomas was supported by the National Health and Medical Research Council and Victorian Cancer Agency, Australia. Last, but not least, a very big thank you to the young people who participated in this study while enduring such challenging circumstances.