Association between information provision and supportive care needs among ovarian cancer survivors: A cross-sectional study from the PROFILES registry

Objective

To examine the association between satisfaction with perceived information provision during diagnosis and treatment and supportive care needs in ovarian cancer survivors.

Methods

In 2012, women (n=348) diagnosed with ovarian cancer, as registered between 2000 and 2010 in the Netherlands Cancer Registry, received a questionnaire including questions on the perceived level of, and satisfaction with, information received (EORTC QLQ-INFO25) and supportive care needs (Cancer Survivors' Unmet Needs Measure).

Results

Of 348 women, 191 (55%) responded. Of all participants, 35% were not satisfied (n=65) with the perceived amount of information received. Participants who were satisfied with the amount of information reported significantly higher levels of perceived information on disease, medical tests, treatment, and other services. Patients not satisfied with information provision had a higher total number of needs and a higher number of unmet needs than women satisfied with information provision. Multivariable linear regression analysis showed that satisfaction with information provision was negatively associated with the total number of unmet needs (=-0.20, P=.03) after adjustment for potential confounding clinical and sociodemographic factors.

Conclusion

Ovarian cancer survivors satisfied with the information provision during treatment reported fewer unmet needs during survivorship. Optimization of information provision for ovarian cancer patients during initial diagnosis and treatment may contribute to a decrease in unmet needs during survivorship.