Grant: Catalyst Grant: Biomedical & Clinical Approaches to Improving Quality of Life

Recent improvements in cancer detection and treatment programs mean that many patients who are diagnosed with cancer today will not necessarily succumb to their disease. Once cured of their cancer, survivors may face a new set of challenges, including the risk of long-term side effects from prior treatments or the emotional distress that the cancer might return. Research has confirmed that these experiences are common among breast cancer survivors. Because patients with gastrointestinal (GI) cancers are managed differently than those with breast and other cancers, their needs may be very different. Our study goal is to examine the specific needs of GI cancer survivors, so that we can translate this understanding to improving the quality of their care. To accomplish this aim, the study will be performed in two major steps. In part 1, we plan to conduct focused discussions with several groups of GI cancer survivors in order to identify their needs across four main domains: (1) physical functioning; (2) psychological wellbeing; (3) social relationships; and (4) spirituality. Participants will be recruited from various cancer centres in British Columbia after the patients have completed the treatments for their GI cancer, which may include surgery, radiation and/or chemotherapy. In part 2 of the study, specific areas that were identified to be important by the discussion groups will be used as the foundation to develop a comprehensive survey, which can be used in the future to measure the needs of individual GI cancer survivors in order to tailor their care. The combination of an aging population and better cancer treatments suggests that the prevalence of GI cancer survivors will continue to grow. Unfortunately, relatively little is known about the many aspects of survivorship that are specific to GI cancers. Therefore, this study will provide valuable insight and relevant information to GI cancer patients and will help physicians in survivorship care planning.