Konstantina Menti1, Ourania Govina2, Eleni Dokoutsidou3, Theocharis Konstantinidis4, Andreas Charalambous5, Theodoula Adamakidou1
1Agios Savvas Anticancer Hospital, Postgraduate Program of Oncology and Palliative Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece, Nursing Department, Postgraduate Program of Oncology and Palliative Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
2Nursing Department, Postgraduate Program of Oncology and Palliative Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece
3Nursing Department, Hellenic Mediterranean University, Heraklion, Crete, Greece
4Nursing Department, Cyprus University of Technology, Limassol, Cyprus
5Nursing Department, Postgraduate Program of Oncology and Palliative Nursing, University of West Attica, Athens, Greece.
Summary
Purpose: This study aimed to assess the supportive care needs of women with gynecological cancer before surgery and explore correlations between these needs, depression, stress, anxiety, and perceived social support.
Methods: A descriptive, cross-sectional study was conducted involving 102 women with gynecological cancer scheduled for surgery. Participants completed the Needs Evaluation Questionnaire (NEQ), Depression, Anxiety, and Stress Scale (DASS-21), Multidimensional Scale of Perceived Social Support (MSPSS), and a demographic questionnaire. Data were analyzed using SPSS 22.0, with statistical significance set at p<0.05.
Results: The mean age of the patients was 61.1 years, with endometrial cancer being the most common diagnosis (47%). On average, patients reported 10.9 unmet needs. Higher needs were associated with greater psychological distress (p<0.001), while overall social support was correlated only with financial needs (r=-0.21, p=0.036). Multivariate linear regression analysis identified younger age, lower educational level, and use of anxiolytics as risk factors for anxiety. Married or cohabiting status was associated with greater information needs for diagnosis/prognosis and fewer depressive symptoms. Disease stage was negatively correlated with structure-related needs.
Conclusions: Gynecological cancer patients experience increased care needs preoperatively, which are linked to psychological distress despite receiving high levels of social support. Nurses should be vigilant in identifying and addressing these needs promptly.
Keywords: anxiety, depression, gynecologic cancer, needs, social support, stress.
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