Unmet Care Needs in Breast Cancer Survivors: An Integrative Review

Abstract

Introduction: Understanding the unmet care needs of breast cancer survivors is one of the important aspects of healthcare service. Objective: This study aimed to identify the unmet needs of breast cancer survivors. Materials and Methods: This research is an integrative review of evidence-based studies from five electronic databases (Web of Science, PubMed, Science Direct, Scopus, and Google Scholar), which was conducted with no time limit until December 2020. Eligible articles were critically reviewed and scored using the mixed methods appraisal tool (MMAT). Results: A total of 28 articles were reviewed, including 7 qualitative, 19 quantitative, and 2 mixed methods studies. “Survival care needs” are referred to information needs, unmet communication needs, and management of disease symptoms and complications. The “unperceived support needs” are referred to six themes of self-change, hurting hope, uncertain faith, unmet occupational needs, impaired sexual function, and forgotten social support. Conclusion: As the survival rate of breast cancer increases, developing flexible strategies for long-term and changing unmet needs of these patients should be a priority for health policymakers to promote care for breast cancer patients.