Rapid Fire Presentations 2025 National Cancer Survivorship Conference

What matters most to cancer survivors? A qualitative content analysis of open-ended data for 1677 survivors (#19)

Eli Ristevski 1 , Nikki Davis 2 , Kate Webber 3 4 , Victoria M White 5 , Karolina Lisy 6 7 8 , Michael Jefford 6 7 8
  1. Monash University, School of Rural Health, Warragul, Victoria, Australia
  2. Cancer Survivor, Melbourne
  3. Medical Oncology, Monash Health, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  4. School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  5. Deakin University, School of Psychology, Melbourne, Burwood, Victoria, Australia
  6. Department of Health Services Research, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre,, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  7. Australian Cancer Survivorship Centre, Peter MacCallum Cancer Centre,, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
  8. Sir Peter MacCallum Department of Oncology, University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia

Aim:

This study examined what matters most to cancer survivors, and if there were differences by geographical location (metropolitan, rural/regional/remote), years post-diagnosis and cancer type. 

Methods:

We analysed data from a patient-reported-outcomes survey of cancer survivors with breast, prostate, colorectal cancer, melanoma or non-Hodgkin lymphoma (NHL) who were 1, 3- or 5-years post-diagnosis. Participants were recruited via the Victorian Cancer Registry. We undertook a qualitative content analysis of open-ended responses to the question: ‘Tell us the three most important things about living with and beyond cancer from your experience’. Responses were coded inductively in NVivo into categories using reflective thematic analysis and counted by number of participant responses.

Results:

Of the 2115 (45% response rate) surveys returned, 1677 (80%) provided responses to the open-ended question. Of the 1677 responses, 66% of participants were from metropolitan areas. Similar proportions of those with melanoma, colorectal, breast and prostate cancer (21-23%) provided responses, with 36%, 31% and 33% of those 1,3,5-years post-diagnosis responding. A total of 4162 comments (~2.5 comments/person) were recorded and coded into 21 categories. The most common categories were positivity in looking beyond cancer (48%), valuing social support/roles (29%), and focusing on body-mind-spirit (26%). Although findings did not differ by location and year post-diagnosis, differences emerged by cancer type. Compared with the total responses by category, melanoma-survivors more commonly highlighted the importance of cancer surveillance (48% cf. 21%) and treatment outcomes/side effects (28% cf. 10%). Personal roles/responsibilities were of higher importance to NHL survivors (14% cf. 5%) and prostate survivors reported higher importance of sexuality (21% cf. 5%) and physical symptoms/comorbidities (18% cf. 8%).

Conclusions:

Psychosocial needs, well-being and treatment-related physical side-effects are important concerns for cancer survivors. Health services should implement comprehensive survivorship programs that address these key areas.