Distress in post-treatment hematological cancer survivors: Prevalence and predictors

Abstract

Objectives: To calculate the prevalence of psychosocial distress, and identify factors that predict distress, in early post-treatment hematological cancer survivors.

Design: Cross-sectional survey containing self-report measures.

Sample/Methods: Post-treatment hematological cancer survivors in remission (>18 years) (n = 409) completed questionnaires. Distress was measured with the distress thermometer (DT). Logistic regression was used to identify predictors of distress.

Findings: Overall 21.9% (n = 93) of respondents reported significant distress (DT ≥4). Significant distress was twice as high in those born overseas (OR = 2.09, p = .03), 3.5 times higher in those with lower social support (OR = 3.51, p = <.001) and five times higher in those with increased fear of recurrence (OR = 0.17, p = <.001).

Implications for Psychosocial Providers: Early identification of distress may decrease psychosocial issues in the post-treatment period, especially as psychosocial services have been shown to improve wellbeing for those who are distressed.

Keywords:

• hematological cancer
• oncology
• post-treatment
• prevalence
• psychosocial distress
• survivorship

Disclosure statement

No potential conflict of interest was reported by the authors.