Education and support needs of younger and older cancer survivors

This study examined the use, satisfaction with, and need for cancer education and support services in northeastern Pennsylvania. Responses of 243 younger survivors (40 to 64 years) were compared with 295 older survivors (≥65 years). Programs attended and desired were related to cancer type and age. The almost 20% of respondents who had attended programs, primarily younger survivors, expressed high levels of satisfaction. Younger survivors reported non-attendance because of lack of interest. Older survivors’ non-attendance reasons included difficulty with travel (N = 259, χ2 = 12.081, p = .002), no identified need for information, and dislike for time of offerings (evenings). Education/support programs should be targeted to the age of people being served, as well as incidence, prevalence, expected trajectory, and prognosis of cancer types in the service area.