Identifying the unmet supportive care needs of individuals affected by testicular cancer: a systematic review

To critically appraise studies to identify experiences of unmet supportive care needs of individuals affected by testicular cancer.

A registered priori systematic review was conducted in accordance with Preferred Reporting Items for Systematic Reviews and Meta-Analyses (PRISMA) guidelines. CINAHL, PsycINFO, and MEDLINE were searched for quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods studies using a wide range of search terms. All articles were double screened according to a pre-determined eligibility criterion. Reference lists of the final included studies were checked for further eligible studies. The review process was managed using Covidence systematic review software. Data from the studies were extracted, methodological quality appraisal conducted, and a narrative synthesis conducted.

Of the 72 papers identified, 36 studies were included. In descending order of frequency of need, psychological needs were identified in 26/36, physical needs 18/36, interpersonal/intimacy needs 19/36, health system/information needs 11/36, cognitive needs 9/36, social needs 7/36, and of equal frequencies counts of 4/36 for family, practical, and patient-clinician information needs. Only one study explored spiritual needs and no daily living needs were identified.

The experience of needs varied in terms of frequency and distress which were commonly influenced by the age of the individual across the cancer care continuum persisting after 1-year post-treatment.

When caring for individuals affected by testicular cancer, clinicians are encouraged to take a holistic lens to cancer care, particularly to explore issue or concerns that young men affected by testicular cancer might be embarrassed or reticent to discuss.