Identifying subgroups of well-being among patients with cancer: Differences in attitudes and preferences around surveillance after curative-intent surgery

Background: Patient perceptions and preferences related to postoperative surveillance are not yet well defined.

Methods: A cross-sectional analysis of the surveillance practice preferences and attitudes was undertaken based on subgroups derived from clustering participants for measures of well-being, including financial toxicity, emotional, family/social, and functional well-being.

Results: Among 212 participants, the average age was 58.1 years and most patients were female (57.1%) and white (90.2%). Common malignancies included melanoma/sarcoma (26.4%), thyroid (25.5%), breast (18.9%), gastrointestinal (18.4%), and lung (7.5%) cancer. Respondents within the highest well-being subgroup rated their perception of communication as being the highest more consistently compared with the other well-being subgroups (P = .005). Participants with the highest level of well-being felt more reassured by follow-up appointments (Subgroup 1, Med = 4.00, interquartile range (IQR) = 0.25 vs subgroup 4, Med = 3.75, IQR = 0.73, P = .023). In contrast, patients with the lowest sense of well-being had the highest level of nervousness related to surveillance (subgroup 1, Med = 1.60, IQR = 1.00 vs subgroup 4, Med = 2.20, IQR = 1.15, P < .001). There were no differences in surveillance frequency preferences among different well-being subgroups.

Conclusion: Attitudes towards postoperative surveillance varied with regard to perception of provider communication, nervous anticipation, and assuredness depending on overall patient well-being. Providers should attempt to assess patient well-being as part of a tailored approach to postcancer surgery surveillance.