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