Background: Understanding the specific needs of cancer survivors is essential for healthcare policy. In Italy, dedicated studies are lacking, so we aimed to investigate the physical, mental, social, and health difficulties encountered by these patients. Methods: We conducted a cross-sectional study on breast or colorectal cancer survivors (people 5+ years free from it and its treatments) using an ad hoc survey including validated questionnaires (Grauer–Palombi, SF-36, PREDIMED). Participants were recruited within the Oncology Unit of the “Policlinico Tor Vergata”, Italy. Results: A total of 62 patients (80.6% females; years range: 37–87) agreed to be interviewed. A profile of cancer survivors was drafted: an overaged person with multiple co-morbidities, not well-nourished, adhering to the Mediterranean diet, reporting critical conditions as for physical and functional status. The mean number of co-morbidities was 3.6 ± 2.4 SD, with a statistically significant difference between age groups (under and over 65). Compared to the general population, the sample showed more frailties, especially when >65. The risk of having multimorbidity (four or more co-morbidities) significantly increased in those over 65 (OR: 4.72; CI: 1.43–15.59). Conclusion: There is an urgent need for survivorship care planning for the patient-centered continuum of care. Assessing and monitoring their specific needs will help propose appropriate and tailored responses.
背景：了解癌症幸存者的具体需求对医疗政策制定至关重要。意大利目前缺乏针对性研究，因此我们旨在调查此类患者面临的生理、心理、社会及健康困境。方法：我们对乳腺癌或结直肠癌幸存者（确诊及治疗结束5年以上人群）开展横断面研究，采用包含已验证量表（Grauer–Palombi、SF-36、PREDIMED）的专项调查。受试者招募自意大利"Policlinico Tor Vergata"医院肿瘤科。结果：共62名患者（女性占80.6%；年龄范围37-87岁）接受访谈。研究勾勒出癌症幸存者特征画像：多为高龄、多重共病患者，营养状况欠佳但遵循地中海饮食，生理与功能状态普遍堪忧。平均共病数量为3.6±2.4（标准差），不同年龄组（65岁以下与以上）存在统计学显著差异。与普通人群相比，样本群体脆弱性更显著，65岁以上者尤为突出。65岁以上人群罹患多重共病（≥4种）的风险显著增加（比值比：4.72；置信区间：1.43-15.59）。结论：亟需建立以患者为中心的连续性照护计划。系统评估与监测其特殊需求，将有助于制定精准适宜的干预策略。
肿瘤(癌症)患者之家