Common symptoms, quality of life, and lifestyle factors reported by cancer survivors attending the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Multidisciplinary Clinic.

12113 Background: Sydney Cancer Survivorship Clinic (SCSC) provides multidisciplinary care for cancer survivors. During an initial visit, survivors consult with a medical oncologist or hematologist, cancer nurse specialist, dietitian, clinical psychologist, and exercise physiologist. Over 12 years, we assessed the health status of cancer survivors after curative-intent treatment. Methods: Survivors completed patient-reported outcomes assessing symptoms (PT-DATA), quality of life (QOL) (FACT-G), distress (Distress thermometer), fear of cancer recurrence (FCR-7, and psychologist assessment), diet, and physical activity (LTEQ) before initial clinic visit. Clinical data were obtained from the medical record. Simple descriptive statistical methods were used. FACT-G scores were standardized and compared to Australian general population and population with cancer (T-score 50, SD 10). Results: Between September 2013 and December 2025, 1181 survivors attended initial SCSC; 1081 (95%) consented to the use of their data. Of these, 68% were female; median age 58 years (range 18-91). Median time from diagnosis 10.7 months (IQR 8.4-16.6). Tumor types: 38% breast, 33% colorectal, 16% hematological, 14% other. Primary treatment: surgery 84%, chemotherapy 90%, radiotherapy 40%. Overall, 47% had 5+ symptoms of at least moderate severity (4+/10). Most frequently reported moderate-severe symptoms were: fatigue (50%), insomnia (40%), anxiety (36%), pain (35%), numbness (33%), sore hands/feet (32%), trouble concentrating (32%). Moderate-severe distress was reported in 44%. On the FCR-7, 32% had moderate-severe FCR. The psychologist rated 46% as having moderate-severe FCR. Mean QOL (FACT-G): total 79.9: domains physical 22.1; social 21.2, emotional 18, functional 18.6. Comparison to Australian populations: Total T-score 46.0: physical and emotional domains both 0.8 SD below. 59% were overweight or obese (mean BMI 27.2kg/m 2 (range 16.2-59.1)). Only 7% met national exercise guidelines for both resistance and aerobic exercise (18% resistance exercise alone, 24% aerobic exercise alone). Conclusions: Symptom burden remains high almost a year after diagnosis, with 47% reporting at least five moderate-severe symptoms; most commonly distress, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and FCR. Overweight/obesity (59%) and physical inactivity remain lifestyle risk factors.

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Journal
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Published
2026-05-27
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1200/jco.2026.44.16_suppl.12113
Primary Topic
Cancer survivorship and care
Type
article
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article

Common symptoms, quality of life, and lifestyle factors reported by cancer survivors attending the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Multidisciplinary Clinic.

Rebecca Norwood, Ashanya Malalasekera, Carolyn Wildbore, Eric Yu Hai Chen et al.
Journal of Clinical Oncology
Cancer survivorship and care
article

Common symptoms, quality of life, and lifestyle factors reported by cancer survivors attending the Sydney Cancer Survivorship Multidisciplinary Clinic.

Rebecca Norwood, Ashanya Malalasekera, Carolyn Wildbore, Eric Yu Hai Chen, F. K. Lieu, Cole Deguchi, Sim Yee Cindy Tan, Jane Turner, Haryana M. Dhillon, Janette L. Vardy, Kim Kerin-Ayers, Marlena Hua
article en

Abstract

12113 Background: Sydney Cancer Survivorship Clinic (SCSC) provides multidisciplinary care for cancer survivors. During an initial visit, survivors consult with a medical oncologist or hematologist, cancer nurse specialist, dietitian, clinical psychologist, and exercise physiologist. Over 12 years, we assessed the health status of cancer survivors after curative-intent treatment. Methods: Survivors completed patient-reported outcomes assessing symptoms (PT-DATA), quality of life (QOL) (FACT-G), distress (Distress thermometer), fear of cancer recurrence (FCR-7, and psychologist assessment), diet, and physical activity (LTEQ) before initial clinic visit. Clinical data were obtained from the medical record. Simple descriptive statistical methods were used. FACT-G scores were standardized and compared to Australian general population and population with cancer (T-score 50, SD 10). Results: Between September 2013 and December 2025, 1181 survivors attended initial SCSC; 1081 (95%) consented to the use of their data. Of these, 68% were female; median age 58 years (range 18-91). Median time from diagnosis 10.7 months (IQR 8.4-16.6). Tumor types: 38% breast, 33% colorectal, 16% hematological, 14% other. Primary treatment: surgery 84%, chemotherapy 90%, radiotherapy 40%. Overall, 47% had 5+ symptoms of at least moderate severity (4+/10). Most frequently reported moderate-severe symptoms were: fatigue (50%), insomnia (40%), anxiety (36%), pain (35%), numbness (33%), sore hands/feet (32%), trouble concentrating (32%). Moderate-severe distress was reported in 44%. On the FCR-7, 32% had moderate-severe FCR. The psychologist rated 46% as having moderate-severe FCR. Mean QOL (FACT-G): total 79.9: domains physical 22.1; social 21.2, emotional 18, functional 18.6. Comparison to Australian populations: Total T-score 46.0: physical and emotional domains both 0.8 SD below. 59% were overweight or obese (mean BMI 27.2kg/m 2 (range 16.2-59.1)). Only 7% met national exercise guidelines for both resistance and aerobic exercise (18% resistance exercise alone, 24% aerobic exercise alone). Conclusions: Symptom burden remains high almost a year after diagnosis, with 47% reporting at least five moderate-severe symptoms; most commonly distress, fatigue, insomnia, anxiety and FCR. Overweight/obesity (59%) and physical inactivity remain lifestyle risk factors.

Journal of Clinical OncologyVol. 44(16_suppl)
The University of Sydney (AU), Concord Hospital (US), Concord Repatriation General Hospital (AU)
Good health and well-being
Openalex Percentile: Top 12%
Cancer survivorship and care
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