T Wieldraaijer1, L A M Duineveld2, K M van Asselt2, A A W van Geloven3, W A Bemelman4, H C P M van Weert2, J Wind2. 1. Department of Primary Care, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. Electronic address: t.wieldraaijer@amc.uva.nl. 2. Department of Primary Care, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands. 3. Department of Surgery, Tergooi Hospitals, Hilversum/Blaricum, The Netherlands. 4. Department of Surgery, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
Abstract
BACKGROUND: Colon cancer survivors experience physical and psychosocial problems that are currently not adequately addressed. This study investigated distress in patients after curative surgery for colon cancer and studied how this corresponds with the need for supportive care. METHODS: Prospective cohort of patients with stage I-III colon carcinoma, treated with curative intent, currently in follow-up at 6 different hospitals. A survey recorded symptoms, experienced problems, and (un)expressed needs. Satisfaction with supportive care was recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty four patients were included; 155 males and 129 females, with a mean age of 68 years (range 33-95), and a median follow-up of 7 months. 227 patients completed the survey. Patients experienced a median of 23 symptoms in the week before the survey, consisting of a median of 10 physical, 8 psychological and 4 social symptoms. About a third of these symptoms was felt to be a problem. Patients with physical problems seek supportive care in one in three cases, while patients with psychosocial problems only seek help in one in eight cases. Patients who recently finished treatment, finished adjuvant chemotherapy, or had a stoma, had more symptoms and needed more help in all domains. Patients most frequently consulted general practitioners (GPs) and surgeons, and were satisfied with the help they received. CONCLUSION: Colon cancer survivors experience many symptoms, but significantly fewer patients seek help for a psychosocial problem than for a physical problem. Consultations with supportive care are mainly with GPs or surgeons, and both healthcare providers are assessed as providing satisfying care.
BACKGROUND:Colon cancer survivors experience physical and psychosocial problems that are currently not adequately addressed. This study investigated distress in patients after curative surgery for colon cancer and studied how this corresponds with the need for supportive care. METHODS: Prospective cohort of patients with stage I-III colon carcinoma, treated with curative intent, currently in follow-up at 6 different hospitals. A survey recorded symptoms, experienced problems, and (un)expressed needs. Satisfaction with supportive care was recorded. RESULTS: Two hundred eighty four patients were included; 155 males and 129 females, with a mean age of 68 years (range 33-95), and a median follow-up of 7 months. 227 patients completed the survey. Patients experienced a median of 23 symptoms in the week before the survey, consisting of a median of 10 physical, 8 psychological and 4 social symptoms. About a third of these symptoms was felt to be a problem. Patients with physical problems seek supportive care in one in three cases, while patients with psychosocial problems only seek help in one in eight cases. Patients who recently finished treatment, finished adjuvant chemotherapy, or had a stoma, had more symptoms and needed more help in all domains. Patients most frequently consulted general practitioners (GPs) and surgeons, and were satisfied with the help they received. CONCLUSION:Colon cancer survivors experience many symptoms, but significantly fewer patients seek help for a psychosocial problem than for a physical problem. Consultations with supportive care are mainly with GPs or surgeons, and both healthcare providers are assessed as providing satisfying care.
Authors: Bojoura Schouten; Dominiek De Jonckheere; Marc Aerts; Jochen Decaestecker; Daan Walgraeve; Patrick Vankrunkelsven; Johan Hellings Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2018-11-29 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Kyoung-A Kim; Sang Hui Chu; Eui Geum Oh; Sang Joon Shin; Justin Y Jeon; Yun Jin Lee Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2020-08-06 Impact factor: 3.603
Authors: Laura A M Duineveld; Hanneke Molthof; Thijs Wieldraaijer; Anthony W H van de Ven; Wim B Busschers; Henk C P M van Weert; Jan Wind Journal: Fam Pract Date: 2019-11-18 Impact factor: 2.267
Authors: Thijs Wieldraaijer; Marike de Meij; Sophie Zwaard; Henk van Weert; Jan Wind Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2019-08-30 Impact factor: 2.520
Authors: Julien A M Vos; Laura A M Duineveld; Vera E van Miltenburg; Inge Henselmans; Henk C P M van Weert; Kristel M van Asselt Journal: Support Care Cancer Date: 2022-06-21 Impact factor: 3.359
Authors: Laura Anna Mieneke Duineveld; Thijs Wieldraaijer; Marc J P M Govaert; Wim B Busschers; Jan Wind; Kristel M van Asselt; Henk C P M van Weert Journal: Eur J Cancer Care (Engl) Date: 2022-04-25 Impact factor: 2.328
Authors: T Wieldraaijer; L A M Duineveld; S C Donkervoort; W B Busschers; H C P M van Weert; J Wind Journal: Scand J Prim Health Care Date: 2018-01-17 Impact factor: 2.581