A comparative analysis of the health and wellbeing of cancer survivors to the general population

Olinda Santin, Moyra Mills, Charlene Treanor, Michael Donnelly

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

29 Citations (Scopus)
331 Downloads (Pure)

Abstract

Background
The population of people surviving cancer is continually increasing and currently cancer survivors represent approximately 3.7% of the American population and 3% of the UK population. There is limited and inconclusive empirical evidence regarding the long-term health and well-being of cancer survivors.

Methods
Two hundred eighty-nine cancer survivors and 262 matched-age and sex patients from the same group of General (primary care) Practices completed postal questionnaires measuring health and well-being, health service utilisation and satisfaction and health care needs.

Main Results
Cancer survivors reported poorer health and well-being and health service utilisation than the general population. Despite this poorer health, the majority of cancer survivors reported satisfaction with services and almost two-thirds of the survivors did not report any needs.

Conclusions
The majority of cancer survivors do not appear to require additional support services. There is, however, a subgroup of survivors who warrant specialist support, particularly survivors who are older, experience late effects and have had adjuvant treatments. Future research should focus on developing methods that could be used in routine clinical practice to identify ‘at risk’ or vulnerable patients and to provide appropriate and timely support.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2545-2552
Number of pages8
JournalSupportive Care in Cancer
Volume20
Issue number10
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 19 Oct 2012

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Oncology

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