Cancer survivors' needs reported by survivors and their families

The Cleveland Clinic Foundation (CCF), Cleveland Clinic Cancer Center, Oncology Nursing Task Force, and the Cuyahoga County Unit of the American Cancer Society cosponsored "EXPO '88: Recovering from Cancer" on the first National Cancer Survivors' Day. The day featured educational workshops, a fashion show, and a celebration of cancer survivorship. The needs of cancer survivors were evaluated by means of a self-administered survey of cancer survivors attending the EXPO. The cross-section of survivors represented by 71 respondents expressed interest in prevention/detection programs, psychosocial issues such as family and physician communications, economic issues, and peer support groups. A majority of our respondents (51%) had been diagnosed less than three years earlier as having cancer, but 73% had completed active treatment. Prevention/Detection was the number one interest topic reported by respondents. They were almost universally supportive (97%) of peer group sessions to address survivor issues. The formation of the Northeast Ohio Cancer Survivors' Group, which meets monthly, is a direct result of the positive response to the survey by cancer survivors. This report suggests for cancer educators the interest of cancer survivors in a peer support group and the information and counseling needs that could be addressed in this setting.