Poster Presentation 2025 Joint Meeting of the COSA ASM and IPOS Congress

Common symptoms and lifestyle factors reported by cancer survivors attending the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Multidisciplinary Clinic (126568)

Sim Yee (Cindy) Tan 1 2 3 , Kim Kerin-Ayres 1 4 , Eric Chen 1 , Cole Deguchi 1 4 , Marlena Hua 1 4 , Fiona Lieu 1 5 , Rebecca Norwood 1 5 , Jane Turner 1 , Carolyn Wildbore 1 4 , Ilona Cunningham 1 6 , Ash Malalasekera 1 , Haryana Dhillon 7 , Janette Vardy 1 2
  1. Concord Cancer Centre , Concord Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia
  2. Faculty of Health and Medicine, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW
  3. Nutrition and Dietetics Department, Concord Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia
  4. Nursing Services, Concord Hospital, Concord, NSW, Australia
  5. Psychology Department, Concord Hospital, Concord, NSW , Australia
  6. Haematology Department, Concord Hospital, Concord , NSW, Australia
  7. Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-based Decision-making, University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW, Australia

Background

Sydney Cancer Survivorship Clinic (SCSC) aims to support survivors in managing their disease and long-term treatment side-effects, and to promote healthy lifestyle behaviours. During their initial visit, survivors with early-stage cancer who have completed primary adjuvant treatment attend a multidisciplinary clinic, consulting with a medical oncologist/haematologist, cancer nurse specialist, dietitian, clinical psychologist, and exercise physiologist. Here, we evaluate the health status of cancer survivors following primary adjuvant treatment. 

Methods:

Survivors complete patient-reported outcomes assessing: symptoms, quality of life (QOL), distress, diet, and physical activity before attending their initial clinic; and an anonymous satisfaction survey after. Anthropometry and medical data were obtained from the medical record. Simple descriptive statistical methods were used.

Results:

Overall, 1038 survivors attended SCSC from September 2013 to December 2024; 988 consented to use of their data. Of these 68% were female; median age 58 years (range 18-91). Median time from diagnosis 11 months (IQR 8.4-14.3).  Tumour types: 37% breast, 33% colorectal, 16% haematological, 14% other. 84% had surgery, 89% chemotherapy, and 40% radiotherapy. Overall, 47% had 5+ symptoms of at least moderate severity. Most frequently reported symptoms were: fatigue (45%), insomnia (37%), anxiety (32%), pain (32%), numbness (30%), sore hands/feet (29%), trouble concentrating (28%). Moderate-severe distress was reported in 40%; psychologist rated 65% as having ‘fear of cancer recurrence’ (FCR); 26% were referred for follow-up. 

Average BMI was 27.3kg/m2(range 16.2-59.1kg/m2); 60% were overweight or obese. Only 4% met COSA exercise guidelines for both resistance and aerobic exercises (18% resistance exercises alone, 25% aerobic exercise alone).

98% of 704 survivors “agree/completely agreed” it was worth attending the clinic.

Conclusion:

More than a third of our cancer survivors have moderately-severe distress, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and FCR. The majority were overweight or obese, and did not meet exercise guidelines.