Unmet Information Needs and Quality of Life in Young Breast Cancer Survivors in Japan.

BACKGROUND: Young breast cancer survivors have specific needs related to age. Clarifying the relationships between unmet information needs and quality of life (QOL) in young breast cancer survivors can contribute to constructing a support system to enhance QOL in patients.

OBJECTIVE: This study aimed to identify the unmet information needs and examine the relationships between unmet information needs and QOL in young breast cancer survivors in Japan.

METHODS: Participants completed an information needs questionnaire containing 26 items, the World Health Organization Quality of Life Instrument-Short Form (WHOQOL-BREF), and a demographic and medical information questionnaire.

RESULTS: Fifty participants (30.7%) were unsatisfied with "overall communication with medical professionals." The mean scores on all subscales of the WHOQOL-BREF of the participants who were satisfied with "overall communication with medical professionals" were significantly higher than those of the unsatisfied group. "follow-up tests," "treatment for recurrence of breast cancer," "strategies about communication with medical staff," and "nutrition" were significantly related with all subscales in the WHOQOL-BREF. "Secondary menopause caused by hormonal therapy" was significantly related with physical and psychological health.

CONCLUSIONS: Japanese young breast cancer survivors have unmet information needs, including age-specific issues. These unmet information needs are related to QOL. In particular, "overall communication with medical professionals," which is the most unmet information need, is related to QOL.

IMPLICATIONS FOR PRACTICE: Oncology nurses should teach patients communication skills, provide adequate information, and provide education and emotional support to medical professionals to improve QOL in young breast cancer survivors.