In a report in CANCER, University of Pennsylvania researchers report that Pennsylvanians with cancer are not having their psychosocial needs adequately met. Over the past twenty years, there has been little improvement in meeting such needs, including those related to daily living, transportation, financial and emotional issues.The study involved a needs assessment survey sent to about 2,500 participants. Nearly two-thirds of the respondents had at least one unmet psychosocial need including emotional (anxiety, depression), physical (fatigue, nausea, vomiting or pain) and treatment-related needs.
The researchers found that the young reported the most unmet needs. "This may be due to the fact that their resources and support systems may already be stretched to the max in dealing with these problems," says Frances K. Barg, PhD, MEd. Barg goes on to explain that cancer in younger people is "incredible disruptive in terms of role function," including work, parenting and schooling.
