Abstract
Background: The Cancer Survivors’ Unmet Needs (CaSUN) measure is an assessment tool developed specifically for this population but several issues about its structural properties still remain unresolved. Method: The present study tests the theoretical model, the original authors’ empirical solution, and a new rational proposal of the CaSUN using Confirmatory Factor Analysis. Reliability and convergent validity are also analysed. 566 Spanish breast cancer survivors completed the CaSUN, the Brief Symptom Inventory-18 (BSI-18) and the Quality of Life in Adult Cancer Survivors questionnaire (QLACS). Results: The proposed model of five domains (physical effects, psychological effects, comprehensive care and information, practical issues, and relationships) plus a total score provided better fit than the authors' theoretical proposal and some advantages over their empirical proposal. Internal consistency (α = .73 - .95; r item-total > .30) and test-retest reliability (r = .74 - 89) were adequate. The CaSUN correlated with high emotional distress (r = .43 - .77) and poor quality of life (r = .18 - .64). Conclusions: The CaSUN-S is an effective and complete instrument that can help health professionals to collect data about the impact of the disease beyond the diagnosis and treatment phase that is important for patient care.
