Addressing unmet supportive care needs in metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative exploration to inform models of care

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dc.contributor.authorKeane, Danielle
dc.contributor.authorMitchell, Nicola
dc.contributor.authorJohnston, Katie E.
dc.contributor.authorPhilips, Grace
dc.contributor.authorO'Connell, Kate
dc.contributor.authorConnolly, Roisin M.
dc.contributor.authorHegarty, Josephine
dc.contributor.funderIrish Cancer Society, WHI21COHE
dc.contributor.funderPfizer Ireland Pharmaceuticals, WHI21COHE
dc.date.accessioned2026-09-21T11:25:01Z
dc.date.available2026-09-21T11:25:01Z
dc.date.issued2026-06-06
dc.description.abstractBackground Advances in diagnostics and treatments have resulted in many individuals with metastatic breast cancer living longer with the disease. A cohort has thus emerged with unique, complex and largely unmet supportive care needs. We performed a qualitative study to explore the views of individuals living with advanced breast cancer and healthcare professionals regarding supportive care services in this cohort. Methods Focus group discussions were conducted with two groups; individuals living with metastatic breast cancer (n = 10) and healthcare professionals (n = 11). Questions addressed: (1) unmet needs, (2) models and supportive care services, (3) barriers and facilitators in service delivery, and (4) future service development. Interviews were recorded, transcribed, and analysed using an inductive thematic content analysis. Results Focus group discussions revealed considerable unmet supportive care needs, varying across the trajectory of the disease. Themes included unmet supportive care needs; lack of services; unmet needs of specific groups such as males and those in the LGBTQI + community; effective types of supportive care and solutions to address unmet needs. Emphasis was placed on the need for accessible and reliable metastatic breast cancer-specific information, directed towards helping individuals live well with the diagnosis. The need for multipronged and coordinated approaches to support individuals across acute, community and palliative care services was highlighted. A shared care and patient-led model of survivorship care was preferred. Dedicated support hubs were suggested as well as improved financial and family support services. Conclusion Focus groups revealed the extent and diversity of the unmet needs of individuals living with metastatic breast cancer. Findings from this research can inform the development of comprehensive supportive care services in the future.en
dc.description.sponsorshipIrish Cancer Society|WHI21COHE
dc.description.sponsorshipPfizer Ireland|WHI21COHE
dc.description.versionPublished Version
dc.format.extent8
dc.format.mimetypeapplication/pdfen
dc.identifier.articleid103238
dc.identifier.authororcidKeane, Danielle
dc.identifier.authororcidMitchell, Nicola
dc.identifier.authororcidJohnston, Katie E.
dc.identifier.authororcidPhilips, Grace
dc.identifier.authororcidO'Connell, Kate
dc.identifier.authororcidConnolly, Roisin M.§0000-0003-0056-1070
dc.identifier.authororcidHegarty, Josephine§0000-0002-1663-4820
dc.identifier.citationKeane, D, Mitchell, N, Johnston, K E, Philips, G, O'Connell, K, Connolly, R M & Hegarty, J 2026, 'Addressing unmet supportive care needs in metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative exploration to inform models of care', European Journal of Oncology Nursing, vol. 83, 103238, pp. 1-8. https://doi.org/10.1016/j.ejon.2026.103238
dc.identifier.doi10.1016/j.ejon.2026.103238
dc.identifier.endpage8
dc.identifier.issn1462-3889
dc.identifier.journaltitleEuropean Journal of Oncology Nursing
dc.identifier.otherORCID: /0000-0002-1663-4820/work/227408773
dc.identifier.startpage1
dc.identifier.urihttps://hdl.handle.net/10468/19300
dc.identifier.volume83
dc.language.isoen
dc.publisherChurchill Livingstone
dc.relation.urihttps://www.scopus.com/pages/publications/105041327296
dc.rights© 2026 the authors. Published by Elsevier Ltd. This is an open access article under the CC BY license ( http://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/ ).
dc.rights.accessrightsopen access
dc.rights.licensenameAttribution 4.0 International
dc.rights.urihttps://creativecommons.org/licenses/by/4.0/
dc.statusPeer reviewed
dc.subjectBreast neoplasms
dc.subjectFocus groups
dc.subjectHealth services needs and demand
dc.subjectNeoplasm metastasis
dc.subjectOncology nursing
dc.subjectPalliative care
dc.subjectPatient-centred care
dc.subjectQualitative research
dc.subjectQuality of life
dc.subjectSupportive care
dc.subject[NursingMidwifery]
dc.subject[Medicine]
dc.titleAddressing unmet supportive care needs in metastatic breast cancer: A qualitative exploration to inform models of careen
dc.typeArticle (peer-reviewed)
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