After cancer: the unmet supportive care needs of survivors and their partners

Cancer patients and their partners experience elevated distress and unmet supportive care needs at the time of treatment, however, their ongoing needs have not been adequately described. This qualitative study explores the needs of disease-free cancer survivors and their partners using semi-structured telephone interviews. A convenience sample of 25 key informants' identified needs in the domains of information, health care, physical functioning, relationships, emotions, socio-economic issues, expectations and life perspective; and the positive outcomes are widely reported. The identification of unique needs of survivors and partners supports the development of supportive care measures to specifically assess ongoing care need in these populations.