Patients with pancreatic cancer report very high levels of needs

the Oncology Nurse Advisor take:

People with pancreatic cancer or ampullary cancer reported very high levels of needs, according to a new study published online ahead of print in the journal Psycho-Oncology.

For the study, researchers surveyed 136 patients with pancreatic or ampullary cancer in Queensland, Australia. The survey evaluated 34 needs across five domains and utilization of health services.

Results showed that 96% of patients reported having some needs, and the majority of patients reported moderate-to-high unmet physical or psychological needs. Fewer participants reported health system/information, patient care, and sexuality needs. The most commonly reported moderate-to-high needs included "not being able to do things they used to do," "‘concerns about the worries of those close," and "uncertainty about the future."

Researchers found that patients with unresectable disease were more likely to have information needs than those with resectable disease. The study also demonstrated a low use of other health services like a dietician and mental health practitioner. Patients with unresectable disease were more likely to use palliative care services than those with resectable disease.