Evidence map›Paper›PMID 40747540›Full record

Observational studyCancer medicine2025

Voices of Survivorship: The Unmet Needs of Italian Cancer Survivors. A Qualitative Study.

Angela Contri, Stefania Costi, Monica Guberti, Silvia Soncini, Stefano Botti, Andrea Frasoldati, Martina Torreggiani, Luca Ghirotto

Registry-linked trialAbstract readObservational Study
In one paragraph

Observational study in Cancer medicine, 2025. The graph could read no effect estimate from its abstract, so it casts no vote on the map. It is linked to trial NCT06236373 (The Unmet Needs of Cancer Survivors in Ausl IRCCS Reggio Emilia Reality), which is not on this map. Cited by 2 papers.

0numbers the graph read from it
0cells of the map it votes in
2citing 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.

NCT06236373 recruitingnot on this map

The Unmet Needs of Cancer Survivors in Ausl IRCCS Reggio Emilia Reality: a Qualitative Study and Framework Analysis

TypeobservationalSponsorUniversity of Modena and Reggio EmiliaRan2023 to 2025Enrolled45ConditionsCancer, Breast Cancer, Prostate Cancer, Thyroid CancerArmsFocus Groups or Interviews
3 · Its place in the literature

Who cites it

2 citing papers in PubMed.

  1. Article
  2. Observational
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

8 authors.

Angela ContriClinical and Experimental Medicine PhD Program, University of Modena and Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-6057-6816
Stefania CostiPhysical Medicine and Rehabilitation Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0002-4645-0336
Monica GubertiResearch and EBP Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Silvia SonciniResearch and EBP Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Stefano BottiHematology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Andrea FrasoldatiEndocrinology Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Martina TorreggianiResearch and EBP Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.
Luca GhirottoQualitative Research Unit, Azienda USL-IRCCS di Reggio Emilia, Reggio Emilia, Italy.ORCID https://orcid.org/0000-0001-7632-1271

Funding

This work was partially supported by Ministero della Salute Ricerca Corrente Annual Program 2026
6 · The paper itself

Abstract

backgroundThe increasing number of cancer survivors (CSs) globally highlights the critical need for healthcare systems to address their unmet needs. These needs span physical, psychosocial, spiritual, informational, and practical dimensions and, if unaddressed, can impact quality of life and healthcare satisfaction.

aimsThis study aimed to identify and understand the unmet needs of CSs in Italy to guide the development of patient-centered survivorship care services.

methodsA cross-sectional qualitative study was conducted between April 2023 and January 2024 at the Comprehensive Cancer Centre of Reggio Emilia, Italy. Data were collected through focus groups and individual interviews with 35 CSs and seven caregivers selected via convenience sampling. Eligibility criteria included non-cutaneous CSs with a 5-year survival rate of ≥ 65% who had completed active treatment and were in follow-up care. Data were analyzed using the Framework Method.

resultsFour key themes emerged: (1) Dignity and Respect: Emphasis on the importance of treating CSs with dignity and respect within healthcare settings; (2) Desire for Normality: Highlighting CSs' strong desire to regain a sense of normalcy post-treatment; (3) Pursuit of Control Over One's Life: CSs' need to maintain control, particularly regarding information needs and treatment management; (4) Existential Vulnerability: The vulnerability and fragility felt by CSs, underscoring their need for emotional support and reassurance.

conclusionsUnmet needs remain a significant challenge for CSs, necessitating the implementation of tailored, patient-centered care interventions. Addressing these needs can enhance quality of life, satisfaction, and outcomes for CSs worldwide.

trial registrationClinicalTrials.gov Identifier: NCT06236373.

Indexed as

Cancer SurvivorsHealth Services Needs and DemandNeoplasmsSurvivorshipAdultAgedCaregiversCross-Sectional StudiesFemaleHumansItalyMaleMiddle AgedPatient-Centered CareQualitative ResearchQuality of Lifebreast cancerfocus groupsframework analysislymphomamyelomaprostate cancerqualitativesurvivorshipthyroid cancerunmet needs

Identifiers

PMID40747540
PMCPMC12314541

What OpenQuestion holds

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Registered trials

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.