Background: Cancer, especially breast cancer, remains a public health problem because of its negative consequences, which require long-term programs to alleviate its devastating effects. This study aimed to examine unmet supportive care needs and health-related quality of life of females with breast cancer.
Methods: A cross-sectional study with a mixed-method design was employed. A simple, randomly selected sample of 352 females attending Al-Rantisi and Al-Amal hospitals was included in this study. A validated Arabic version of the Supportive Care Needs Survey (34 items) and The European Organization for Research and Treatment of Cancer Quality of Life (EORTC QLQ-C15-PAL) were used. Moreover, twenty-five semi-structured interviews were performed (13 females, eight husbands, and four healthcare workers). Quantitative data were analysed using descriptive and inferential analysis, whereas thematic analysis was used for qualitative data to highlight main themes.
Results: The highest unmet need reported by females with breast cancer was psychological needs (63%), followed by health-related systems and information (62%) and physical and daily life (61%). Pain and fatigue were the most reported symptoms (65.8% and 62.5%, respectively), followed by emotional distress, physical function, and physical symptoms; 55.8%, 54.3%, and 51.5%, respectively. These unmet needs and health-related quality of life-related dimensions were highlighted and elicited by qualitative data analysis. Unmet needs are high among married females, on conservative treatments, young females (< 40 years old), and females in the first year of diagnosis. The presence of chronic diseases did not increase needs. However, health-related quality of life was affected. Six themes are subtracted: availability of anticancer therapy, affordability of healthcare, family and social support, psychological support, health education, and self-image & intimate relationship.
Conclusion: Many needs are unmet. Caring for females with breast cancer should be comprehensive to fill gaps, including psychological care, health information and education, physical care and support, and medical care.
Keywords: Unmet needs; breast cancer; quality of life; supportive care.