Open AccessAssessment of Pain in Adult Cancer Survivors in Community Settings
Author(s) -
S.Y.Chiu Katie Lee,
C.H. Wang,
Liu Yen Su,
Yu-Yun Hsu
Publication year - 2018
Publication title -
journal of global oncology
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.002
H-Index - 17
ISSN - 2378-9506
DOI - 10.1200/jgo.18.34300
Subject(s) - medicine , cancer , survivorship curve , breast cancer , stratified sampling , family medicine , cancer pain , physical therapy , gerontology , pathology
Background: As growing numbers of cancer survivors in Taiwan, the cancer burden shifts from the high mortality rate to the issue of survivorship after cancer and cancer treatment. Pain is one of common issues in cancer survivors. However, there is limited data about pain in cancer survivors especially for those who were not hospitalized or under acute or active treatment. Aim: The purpose of this study is to assess the prevalence of pain in adult cancer survivors who are not hospitalized or those who are under community-care services. Methods: A retrospective telephone survey from a stratified random sample of 337 adult cancer patients that receive services from the Hope Foundation for Cancer Care. The Hope Foundation for Cancer Care is a nongovernmental organization that provides more than 25,000 cancer families across Taiwan. The sample for this study was randomly selected after being stratified by self-reported stages of cancer and residential regions. Those who were diagnosed within a year, not intact to answer the telephone survey by themselves, hospitalized or under intensive cancer treatment were excluded. The patients were recruited and consented via phone after obtaining approval of the IRB. Results: The adult cancer survivors of this study had a mean age of 52.2 and mean surviving year of 3.8. Those who were married, had college degree, had cancer in breast or in early stage were accounted for the most. 44.8% of the sample reported pain. Among them, the pain was scored with a mean intensity of 2.7 and interference of 3.2 on a 0-to-10 scale. Those male survivors without employment diagnosed with oral or head and neck cancer or had recurrent cancer had significantly more likelihood to have pain. Conclusion: This study provides a better understanding of the pain issue among cancer survivors in community setting. Close to half of the adult cancer survivors experience pain that may be related to cancer or its treatment. The pain may be mild but interferes with daily life or work ability. Further supportive care or community services for this high risk group for pain after their cancer treatment are warranted.