Japanese version of the cancer needs questionnaire-young people (CNQ-YP-J): translation and preliminary validation

Adolescent and young adult (AYA) patients with cancer experience complex physical and psychosocial development as well as diverse lifestyle changes. Therefore, each patient may have generation-specific needs. This study aimed to develop a Japanese version of the Cancer Needs Questionnaire-Young People (CNQ-YP), namely the CNQ-YP-J, and to verify its reliability and validity among Japanese AYA patients with cancer.

The CNQ-YP-J was developed using a standardized translation methodology. Content validity was assessed by a group of experts, and a pilot test was conducted with six AYA cancer patients. A total of 87 AYA patients with cancer participated in this study. After exploratory factor analysis, the scale's reliability was examined using Cronbach's α, item-total correlations, and the intraclass correlation coefficient (ICC) of the retest. Criterion-related validity was analysed using correlations between total needs, concerns about physical effects, and quality of life (QOL).

The factor analysis revealed an eight-factor structure, different from the original scale, with one item excluded, resulting in a 69-item scale. Cronbach's α coefficient and ICC were above the minimum acceptable criterion of 0.70, demonstrating high reliability. Concerning criterion-related validity, high needs were positively correlated with high concerns about physical effects and negatively correlated with QOL.

The CNQ-YP-J developed in this study is a reliable and potentially valid scale that comprehensively assesses the needs of AYA cancer patients in the treatment environment as well as their daily lives. We hope that the use of this scale as a measure of the needs of AYA cancer patients in various settings, including clinical practice, will lead to the provision of optimal medical care and development of support systems, as well as the promotion of information.