Background:
Sydney Survivorship Centre clinic (SSC) offers multidisciplinary care after primary adjuvant treatment, with ~40% receiving their ongoing follow-up at SSC. Here we evaluate change between initial visit (T1) and first follow-up (T2).
Methods:
Survivors attending SSC for follow-up care were evaluated for changes in symptom and lifestyle factors from T1 to T2 using paired t-tests.
Results:
Data from 111 survivors attending follow-up from December 2013 to September 2018 were included: 47% female, median age 64 (32-86 years), tumour types included colorectal 73%, upper gastrointestinal 13.5%; lung 7%; breast 6%. Mean time between visits was 3.7months (SD1.1). Proportion reporting fatigue and anxiety increased, while reductions in moderate severity of other symptoms were noted.
Proportion with symptoms of at least moderate severity:
|
Symptom |
N with paired data |
T1 n(%) |
T2 n(%) |
|
Fatigue |
77 |
21(27.3%) |
27(35.1%) |
|
Anxiety |
75 |
10(13.3%) |
20(26.7%) |
|
Pain |
70 |
20(28.6%) |
19(27.1%) |
|
Sleep |
77 |
22(28.6%) |
20(26.0%) |
|
Depression |
75 |
11(14.7%) |
14(18.7%) |
|
Irritability |
76 |
14(18.4%) |
16(21.1%) |
|
Trouble concentrating |
76 |
13(17.1%) |
11 (14.5%) |
|
Sore hands/feet |
72 |
17(23.6%) |
12(16.7%) |
|
Numbness |
72 |
25(34.7%) |
20(27.8%) |
|
Problems with sex |
60 |
12(20.0%) |
11(18.3%) |
There was no difference in mean weight (77.5kg vs 77.7kg) but change ranged from 14kg weight loss to 5kg weight gain, with 35/111 (31.5%) losing >0.5kg, and 49(44%) gaining >0.5kg. Mean moderate intensity exercise increased from 79 to 137mins/week (n=44) and vigorous from 26 to 77mins/week (n=43). Proportion doing 2+ resistance sessions/week increased from 4.5% to 10.8%: from 9mins/week to 55mins/week in 29 respondents with paired data (p<0.005).
Conclusions:
Attendees increased aerobic and resistance exercise between visits. Although mean weight remained stable, a third lost weight. Fatigue, pain, insomnia, numbness and anxiety remain major problems for survivors, with increasing anxiety and fatigue but some improvement in numbness from T1 to T2. Promotion of healthy lifestyle can assist cancer survivors to change lifestyle behaviours.