supportive care needs of patients newly diagnosed with

Supportive Care Needs of patients newly diagnosed with

advanced stage colon cancer

Suganya Vadivelu, RN, MScN (Candi.), PGDHM,Nurse Clinician Educator, JCC

Background 56% of Canadians have advanced stage CRC

at diagnosis [NCI,2007]

In LHIN 4 region, 59% of colon cancer patients are stage III or IV [CCO, 2008]

Cochrane Review of patients with advanced GI cancer: medical with supportive care [Ahmed et al.,2004]

Major gaps in the integration of supportive care services → ‘Lost in Transition’ [CCS,2003; CCO,2004]

Little information - understanding priority supportive care needs for patients with advanced colon cancer [CCO, 2004; Fitch, 2008]

Purposeo To identify and describe the patterns of

supportive care needs of patients newly diagnosed with advanced stage colon cancer (stage III or IV).

o To assess patient’s awareness of the existing supportive care services and the degree to which they are utilized

o To assess the gaps between the priority unmet needs and patient use of existing services.

Methodology A quantitative needs assessment with cross-

sectional survey design Conducted in JCC & JBMH Sample: Patients recently diagnosed & referred

to JCC/JBMH for treatment Tool: General and colon specific needs

measurement Self-administered questionnaire completed in

the clinic/complete at home & mail it or return in next clinic appt.

Eligibility Criteria of Patients

18 years or old Pathology or Biopsy confirmed

stage III or IV colon cancer Referred to JBMH/JCC for further

treament No mental or cognitive impairment Can speak, read and understand English

Implications Provides a ‘snap shot’ of the SCN prevalence To design effective models of needs-driven

supportive care services specific for this cancer population.

May contribute to their well-being and promote their adherence to the treatment regimen in their cancer journey.

Ontario Cancer Plan 2008-2011“It takes an entire healthcare team to treat and

control cancer”

References

Ahmed, N., Ahmedzai, S., Vora, V., Hillam, S., & Paz, S. (2004). Supportive care for patients with gastrointestinal cancer. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews, 3.

Canadian Cancer Society (2003). Breaking Down the Barriers: Study of Cancer Patient and Caregiver Needs in Ontario. Ontario: CCS, 2003

Cancer Care Ontario (2004): Insight on Cancer. News and Information on Colorectal Cancer. Toronto: Canadian Cancer Society, vol. 3, March 2004.

Cancer Care Ontario (2008). Colorectal Staging: August 2007- July 2008. Retrieved February 21,2009 from Cancer System Information and Data via iPort Access:

http://www.cancercare.on.ca/english/home/toolbox/systeminfo/iport/ciety Fitch, M. I. (2008). Supportive care framework. Canadian Oncology Nursing Journal, 18/1/08, 6-14. National Cancer Institute, Cancer Statistics (2007). Surveillance, Epidemiology, and End Results (SEER)

Program, 2007 [Data file]. Available from SEER website, http://seer.cancer.gov.

Sponsors for the study:• De Souza Institute Fellowship• McMaster University - Patricia Tauber Research Fund• JCC Foundation – Robert and Murray Burns Education Award

Thank you so much for your support