Predictors of Supportive Care in Young Adults Diagnosed With a Gynaecologic Malignancy

In Canada, gynaecologic cancers significantly impact adults aged 18-40 years, who may undergo multiple treatment modalities impacting their overall well-being. The objective of this study was to understand the individual characteristics, supportive care, and informational needs of these persons.

A cross-sectional survey of N = 50 adults (aged ≤40 years) receiving treatment (chemotherapy, surgery, and/or radiation) or under surveillance for gynaecologic cancer at a tertiary cancer centre in Toronto, Canada.

Unmet supportive care needs were commonly reported, with more than half of the participants indicating unmet needs in all but 1 of the 5 domains (psychological [78%], health system and information [68%], physical and daily living [54%], sexuality [50%], and patient care and support [46%]). Unmet supportive care needs were associated with a host of psychosocial, demographic, and clinical factors. Notably, for psychosocial factors, low resilience was associated with a higher likelihood of unmet supportive care needs (health system and information [OR 2.97, 95% CI 1.06-8.35], physical and daily living [4.95, 1.69-22.66], and patient care and support [5.91, 1.77-40.50] domains and low perceived information and satisfaction [3.11, 1.30-11.60]). Various other socio-demographic (e.g., non-European cultural origins and other ethnicity, further distance to cancer centre) and clinical factors (e.g., number of treatment modalities) were also related to unmet needs.

Future studies must examine how to best meet the needs of younger adults affected by gynaecologic cancers to improve client-centred, supportive care through early intervention and adequate resources.