Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40001049›Full record

ArticleBMC cancer2025

What do patients with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas and stakeholders want from a peer support program? A qualitative study.

L Hemming, S F A Duijts, C Cockburn, C Wilson, E Y N Yuen, E Spelten

Abstract read
In one paragraph

Article in BMC cancer, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. Cited by 1 paper.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
1citing papers in PubMed
–field-weighted citation impact
1 · What the graph read from it

What it found

Each row is one number read from the abstract, on the scale the paper reported it, with its interval. Left of the dashed line favours the treatment, right favours the comparator. Under each row is the sentence it came from. New to these charts? A ten-minute tutorial.

The abstract states no effect estimate the extractor could read, or names no intervention and outcome on the map, so this paper lights no cell and moves no belief. It is still indexed, cited and linked below.

2 · The registry

The trial behind it

Trials whose registry record cites this paper, or whose number appears in the abstract. A trial that started after this paper was published is citing it as background, not reporting it.

Neither the registry nor the abstract names a trial number. If this is a trial report, that itself is worth knowing.

3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

1 citing paper in PubMed.

  1. Article
4 · The record

Corrections and comments

PubMed lists nothing against this paper. Absence here is not a guarantee, only a check that was made.

5 · Who and what money

Authors and funding

6 authors.

L HemmingViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia. l.hemming@latrobe.edu.au.
S F A DuijtsDepartment of Research and Development, Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (Integraal Kankercentrum Nederland, IKNL), Utrecht, The Netherlands.
C CockburnRare Cancers Australia, Bowral, New South Wales, Australia.
C WilsonMelbourne School of Population and Global Health, Melbourne University, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.
E Y N YuenSchool of Nursing and Midwifery, Deakin University, Geelong, Victoria, Australia.
E SpeltenViolet Vines Marshman Centre for Rural Health Research, Rural Health School, La Trobe University, Bendigo, VIC, 3552, Australia.

Funding

Cancer Council Victoria Grants-in-Aid Scheme
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundPatients with a rare cancer in rural, regional, and remote Australia experience heightened challenges in their illness journey, including significant psychosocial impacts. Although peer support has shown benefits for common cancer patients living in urban areas, these programs often do not reach underserved groups for instance those with a rare cancer, or those living in rural, regional or remote areas. This study aimed to explore the characteristics of peer support programs for patients with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas.

methodsFocus groups and interviews were conducted with 39 people with a rare cancer and 10 healthcare providers to explore key points for inclusion in a peer support service for people diagnosed with a rare cancer living in rural, regional or remote areas. Data were transcribed verbatim and analysed thematically, using Nvivo.

resultsParticipants described their peer support needs using the key terms who, what, how, where, and when. Participants advocated for a flexible, multicomponent intervention that could meet the varied and fluctuating needs of this group. Participants also noted challenges with the practical delivery of such a service, specifically, the risk of receiving misinformation, adverse emotional reactions, interpersonal challenges and implementation issues.

conclusionsThis study highlights the role of peer support in addressing unmet needs of patients with a rare cancer, particularly in rural areas, emphasising the importance of tailored, flexible, and multimodal interventions for the delivery of peer support that addresses diverse needs.

Indexed as

NeoplasmsPeer GroupRare DiseasesSocial SupportAdultAgedAustraliaFemaleFocus GroupsHumansMaleMiddle AgedQualitative ResearchRural PopulationCancerPeer supportRare cancerRegional and remote healthRural

Identifiers

PMID40001049
PMCPMC11863523

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LicenceCC BY
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Read under generation 80e0d062 · epoch 390. Bibliography from PubMed, PubMed Central and OpenAlex; grants from NIH RePORTER; trial links from ClinicalTrials.gov; estimates, votes and beliefs from the OpenQuestion graph.