The supportive care needs of elderly patients with cancer in northern Iran (2018)

Cancer can cause many problems in all aspects of the physical, mental, social, economic and family life of the elderly patients. This study was done to determine the supportive care needs of the elderly people with cancer in north of Iran.

This descriptive- analytical study was carried out on 248 elderly patients with cancer whom referred to governmental and private medical centers in Gorgan, Northern Iran during 2018. Data were collected by a valid and reliable questionnaire "Supportive Care Needs Survey-SCNS" consisted of five domains of physical needs and daily functioning, health system and information, supportive and care, mental, and sexual chracteristics.

There was a significant relationship between physical activity and daily functioning, sexual domain, support and care, health and information system with gender (P<0.05). Female seniors were more in need of assistance in the areas of physical and daily functioning, and male seniors in the areas of sex, support and care, health systems, and information.

This study showed that unmet needs in the elderly with cancer are particularly high in physical and functional areas.