Needs assessment of breast cancer survivors' intimate partners. Partners' preferences regarding the type, timing and source of post-treatment support

Purpose. The purpose of the present study was to identify the post-treatment needs for information and support of breast cancer survivors' intimate partners.
Methods. A cross-sectional study was conducted assessing partners' care needs, the meeting of these needs and partners' preferences regarding the time and source of post-treatment care. Partners' needs and preferences were identified regarding 9 topics: (1) own physical and (2) psychological functioning, (3) physical and (4) psychological functioning of the survivor, (5) sexuality, relationship with (6) the survivor, (7) others or (8) companions and (9) the supporting of the survivor. Moreover, sociodemographic and medical differences were examined according to partners' needs.
Results. Most frequently reported care needs concerned the physical and psychological functioning of the survivor, the supporting of the survivor, sexuality and the relationship with the survivor. Care needs were systematically unmet and generally continued across the illness trajectory. Partners mainly preferred their needs to be met by informative brochures and websites. In general no differences were found regarding the reporting of care needs according to partners' sociodemographic profile or the treatment received by the survivor.
Conclusions. The post-treatment provision of information and support to breast cancer survivors' intimate partners clearly needs improvement. Interventions aimed at assisting partners shortly after primary treatment should take into account the results of the present study to allow for optimal tailoring of the intervention to partners' needs and preferences.