Psychosocial outcomes in active treatment through survivorship

Abstract

Objective: The objective of the study is to understand potential differences in psychosocial outcomes from active treatment to survivorship.

Methods: Using the Medical Expenditure Panel Survey Experiences with Cancer Survivorship Supplement (n = 1360), we examined and compared psychosocial outcomes among respondents in active treatment with survivors by year(s) since treatment ended. Survey-weighted regression models were used to test associations between year(s) since treatment and depressive symptoms (Patient Health Questionnaire-2), psychological distress (K6), and cancer-specific worry related to recurrence.

Results: Unadjusted estimates showed no significant differences in depressive symptoms or psychological distress between those in active treatment and cancer survivors at any time posttreatment. In contrast, the prevalence of cancer-specific worry was lowest among survivors more than 5 years since treatment (10%), slightly higher among those with less than 1 year since treatment (15%), and highest among those in active treatment (32%). In models controlled for sociodemographic and health-related covariates, the year(s) since treatment ended was inversely associated with the odds of cancer-specific worry but was not associated with depressive symptoms or psychological distress.

Conclusions: In this population-based sample, worry about cancer recurrence may diminish with years since treatment ended, while depressive symptoms and distress are persistent across the trajectory. These findings highlight unmet psychosocial needs among cancer survivors and demonstrate the importance of targeted interventions across the survivorship continuum.

Keywords: cancer survivorship; cancer-specific worry; depressive symptoms; distress; psychosocial outcomes.