Abstract 5160
Background
The Irish Cancer Society is committed to monitoring the impact of our Cancer Information Services (CIS) at 4 key stages (prevention, support, survivorship and palliative) to demonstrate the positive changes our services bring to the people affected by cancer. CIS incorporates Cancer Nurseline (freephone cancer helpline) and Daffodil Centres (walkin cancer information and support centres) based in cancer centres. Both are staffed by specialist cancer nurses. CIS provides support, advice and information to anyone affected by cancer. The information provided is tailored to the needs of each individual enquirer giving them greater access to cancer support and information which complements the service provided by the clinical teams in hospitals or in the community. In 2018 there were 47371 contacts to the service.
Methods
Impact Monitoring uses surveys (paper and online) to collect information from service users. The nurses recruited cancer support enquirers over a two month period during September and October 2018. An enquirers’ distress level was assessed (using distress screening) by the nurse to determine if they were suitable to take part in the survey. Consent was obtained from participants across all services. Returned surveys were entered into a database and analysed according to themes and patterns. All respondents were anonymous.
Results
CIS had many positive impacts. Enquirers to the service appreciated the opportunity to access information from a healthcare professional either by phone or within a Daffodil Centre. During analysis some of the main benefits of the service identified include • Increased knowledge of cancer and its symptoms • More supported and aware of emotional supports • More in control • Reduced anxiety. Accurate and reliable information from a CIS healthcare professional offered reassurance to patients.
Conclusions
Having access to a cancer nurse through the CIS gave cancer patients the opportunity to avail of support, information and advice as and when they needed it. Enquirers felt they could talk through their questions and concerns, with the nurse providing information and guidance which reassured them. Talking to a nurse helped people feel more supported, more knowledgeable about their cancer and hopeful about the future.
Clinical trial identification
Editorial acknowledgement
Legal entity responsible for the study
The authors.
Funding
Has not received any funding.
Disclosure
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.
Resources from the same session
3523 - Results of a global external quality assessment scheme for EGFR testing on liquid biopsy
Presenter: Nicola Normanno
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3295 - Clinical impact of plasma Next-Generation Sequencing (NGS) in advanced Non-small cell lung cancer (aNSCLC)
Presenter: Laura Bonanno
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5632 - Feasibility study of a ctEGFR prototype assay on the fully automated Idylla™ platform
Presenter: Martin Reijans
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
3614 - Enhanced Access to EGFR Molecular Testing in NSCLC using a Cell-Free DNA Tube for Liquid Biopsy
Presenter: Theresa May
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5664 - Analysis of circulating tumor DNA in paired plasma and sputum samples of EGFR-mutated NSCLC patients
Presenter: Christina Grech
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
4945 - Liquid biopsy and Array Comparative Genomic Hybridization (aCGH)
Presenter: Panagiotis Apostolou
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5746 - Next-generation sequencing panel verification to detect low frequency single nucleotide and copy number variants from mixing cell line studies
Presenter: Rocio Rosas-Alonso
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5901 - Automated rarefaction analysis for precision B and T cell receptor repertoire profiling from peripheral blood and FFPE-preserved tumor
Presenter: Luca Quagliata
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
2027 - A Heptamethine cyanine dye is a potential diagnostic marker for Myeloid-Derived Suppressor Cells
Presenter: Chaeyong Jung
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract
5517 - Molecular fingerprinting in breast cancer (BC) screening using Quantum Optics (QO) technology combined with an artificial intelligence (AI) approach applying the concept of “molecular profiles at n variables (MPnV)”: a prospective pilot study.
Presenter: Jean-Marc Nabholtz
Session: Poster Display session 3
Resources:
Abstract