Abstract
Inconsistent findings on the efficacy of psychosocial interventions in cancer may be due to their lack of specificity. The aim of this study was to identify priorities of psychosocial need among cancer patients currently receiving treatment in Western Sydney (NSW) as a prelude to targeted intervention. A sample of 188 patients (129 female, median age 52 years, median time since diagnosis 12 months), with various solid tumours, completed a self-report ranking questionnaire listing eight major areas of psychosocial need based on a literature search of relevant studies. The resulting ranking of priorities was: family (1), dealing with emotional stress (2), getting information (3), money (4), work (5), social life (6), sex life (7), and dealing with hospital staff (8). These priorities were independent of demographic characteristics, including time since diagnosis, suggesting that support in the areas of major need may be just as important during follow-up as it is at diagnosis. Males reported less distress than females, and patients with cancer of the head/neck or breast reported most distress. To be maximally effective, psychosocial intervention for cancer patients should focus on the principal areas of family interaction, effective stress management, and access to information.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 24 print issues and online access
$259.00 per year
only $10.79 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
Similar content being viewed by others
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Liang, L., Dunn, S., Gorman, A. et al. Identifying priorities of psychosocial need in cancer patients. Br J Cancer 62, 1000–1003 (1990). https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1990.425
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/bjc.1990.425
This article is cited by
-
The association between the strength of the working alliance and sharing concerns by advanced cancer patients: a pilot study
Supportive Care in Cancer (2016)
-
Unmet psychosocial needs in haematological cancer: a systematic review
Supportive Care in Cancer (2014)
-
Randomized clinical trial of an intensive nursing-based pain education program for cancer outpatients suffering from pain
Supportive Care in Cancer (2009)
-
Use of distress and depression thermometers to measure psychosocial morbidity among southern European cancer patients
Supportive Care in Cancer (2005)
-
Information supplied to cancer patients and their caregivers — no more unmet needs?
Supportive Care in Cancer (2001)