[Potential number of rehabilitated cancer patients in Denmark--an estimate].

INTRODUCTION: Over the last 50 years there has been an increase in the number of cancer patients. The aim of this study was to estimate the potential requirements of these patients with regard to rehabilitation.
MATERIAL AND METHODS: Patients with non-melanoma skin tumours were excluded from the number of cancer cases reported to the cancer register in 1995. This left a total of 23,124 cases. The patients were grouped according to the following parameters; age, diagnosis, spread, and the degree of radicality of the primary treatment. They were followed up for a period of up to two years. The time span was divided into six month intervals, which were used to calculate the survival rate. Those with a survival rate of less than six months were assumed primarily to need palliation. RESULT: The maximum number of cancer patients needing rehabilitation was estimated to be 70 per cent of the newly diagnosed cases, equivalent to 16,297 patients requiring education, and 5,500 were younger adults with a probable need for work-related rehabilitation. The largest diagnosis groups among the rehabilitation patients are expected to be colorectal cancer, prostate cancer, and lung cancer in males, and breast cancer, coloractal cancer, and gynaecological cancer in females. DISCUSSION: Examination of the literature has shown a substantial need to define and provide evidence-based programmes for cancer rehabilitation. Comprehensive research and development efforts are needed to describe the actual need and the possibility of achieving an effect with these programmes.