Table 4

Supportive care needs of breast cancer survivors

Domain of needType of needNo of studies reporting this needStudies
Psychological/emotional needsOverall32 3 6 9 11–13 20 21 25–32 34–49
Needing help with depression, anxiety and stress15 3 13 21 25 28 32 36 41–45 47–49
Needing help to cope with fears about cancer spread and recurrence13 6 21 26 32 35 37 41 42 44–46 48 49
Fear of disclosure8 11 13 20 25 26 33 36 43
Feelings about death and dying4 10 35 44 45
Uncertainty about the future4 6 35 41 45
Others8 3 13 25 28 29 31 41 45
Health system/informational needsOverall30 2 6 9 11 12 20 21 25–27 29–32 34 35 37–39 41–47 51–53 61
Needing an easy and accurate explanation about benefits, side effects, medication and treatment sequelae13 12 20 21 26 27 32 35 38 41 45 52 53 61
Needing information about tests and treatments7 12 20 26 32 45 52 54
Needing up-to-date and ongoing information that could be understood7 21 29 37 41 45–47
Being informed about things to do to help oneself get well: control of situation, lifestyle advice and self-management9 6 12 20 21 27 29 35 45 61
Needing information regarding sexuality, fertility, coping with new body image, relationship with partner and relationship with others5 30 39 45 51 52
Needing information about symptoms requiring a hospital visit and possible symptoms after hospital discharge4 20 32 45 52
Needing information about correct diet (food to eat, food to avoid)4 20 26 32 52
Others10 3 11 20 26 32 35 45 47 52 61
Physical and daily living needsOverall18 6 11 25 28–33 36–38 40 42–46
Fatigue8 25 28 33 36 42–45
Pain7 10 25 28 33 38 42 45
Needing someone to help with housekeeping, childcare, bathing, dressing and preparing food5 11 28 32 44 45
Needing help with sleeping trouble or oversleeping4 28 32 36 42
Managing side effects and complaints about treatments4 11 31 37 46
Needing help with loss of hair4 25 32 36 44
Managing lymphoedema4 25 33 40 43
Weight control needs3 28 36 43
Others6 25 28 29 32 36 43
Interpersonal/intimacy needsOverall19 9 13 25 26 28–30 32 35 36 41–45 48 49 51 52
Adjusting to concerns relating to body image, femininity, altered physical appearance and self-confidence16 13 25 26 28–30 32 39 41–45 48 49 51
Sexual function8 9 26 28 30 35 36 44 45
Relationship with partner3 30 32 44
Social needsOverall18 3 9 13 28 30–32 40 42–44 47–50 53 55
Return to work or re-employment5 3 13 30 32 42
Support from family, friends and social networks/support groups7 9 31 38 43 44 49 53
Relationship with partner/others/healthcare provider; talking to others who have had cancer4 13 31 47 48
Trouble communicating with others3 28 31 49
Family-related needsOverall13
3 9 11 13 23 31 32 36 39 43 44 49 53
Support from family, friends and social networks/support groups7 9 31 38 43 44 49 53
Burden to the family4 3 13 44 49
Family members, primarily the male partner, emerging as the primary source of emotional support after treatment2 39 53
Others2 32 36
Practical needsOverall13 11 28 31 32 38 40–42 44–46 48 49
Financial distress/healthcare costs/life insurance12 11 28 31 32 38 40–42 44–46 48 49
Problems at work or in education3 28 44 48
Spiritual needsOverall12 3 25 28 31 38 40 41 43 44 47–49
Religious and spiritual needs5 25 31 44 48 49
Religion and/or spirituality as a source of emotional support3 40 43 44
Loss of hope and sense of meaning or purpose in life2 28 38
Need for a strong faith and an intimate relationship with God2 38 44
Others2 3 11
Patient–clinician communication needsOverall5 2 29 31 41 51 52
Satisfaction with decision-making and surveillance of the organisation3 2 51 52
Needing to acquire effective communication skills2 29 31
Satisfaction with the quality of medical care1 41
Cognitive needsOverall4 25 28 36 42
Memory problems/paying attention4 25 28 36 42