Journal Article

OPTILATER: optimal long-term survival after cancer – a cross-sectional study protocol for a quantitative survey on the care situation of long-term cancer survivors in Germany

Claassen, K., Baumann, F., Kaminski, K., De Lazzari, N., Götte, M., Kersten, J., Stang, A., Grünwald, V., Teufel, M. A., Dirksen, U., Jansen, C., Martin, C. N., Palm, S., Skoda, E.-M.

2025

Overview

Background Cancer survivors in Germany face considerable challenges related to the late and long-term effects of treatment and a lack of post-treatment support. Despite an increasing number of cancer survivors, existing healthcare systems are insufficiently adapted to meet their ongoing needs, particularly for long-term survivors who may experience physical, emotional, and socio-economic hardships. This study aims to address the knowledge gaps in the care situation of long-term cancer survivors, focusing on their experiences and the barriers they face in accessing care. Methods This study protocol outlines the methodology for a quantitative survey involving up to 3,300 long-term cancer survivors across various cancer types in Germany. The survey assesses their experiences with cancer care, focusing on diet, exercise, mental health, sleep, cognition, overall health-related quality of life, and somatic late effects. Special attention is given to survivors from diverse socio-demographic backgrounds, including those with a migration history, in order to explore the unique challenges they face. Discussion The results of the study will contribute to the development of needs-based care recommendations for cancer survivors, particularly those in potentially vulnerable groups. The findings will inform the design of more inclusive care strategies and interventions, leading to better long-term health outcomes for cancer survivors in Germany. Trial registration German Clinical Trials Register: DRKS00032146, registered on 03/12/2024.

• Publisher: BioMed Central,BioMed Central Ltd,Springer Nature B.V,BMC
• Subject: Analysis / Anxiety / Biomedical and Life Sciences / Biomedicine / Cancer / Cancer Research / Cancer survivors / Cancer Survivors - psychology / Cancer Survivors - statistics & numerical data / Cancer therapies / Clinical trials / Cognition / Cross-Sectional Studies / Exercise / Female / Germany - epidemiology / Health aspects / Health Promotion and Disease Prevention / Health surveys / Health-related quality of life / Hospitals / Humans / Long-term care / Long-term effects / Male / Medical diagnosis / Medicine/Public Health / Middle Aged / Migration background / Minority & ethnic groups / Neoplasms - epidemiology / Neoplasms - mortality / Neoplasms - psychology / Neoplasms - therapy / Oncology / Quality of Life / Quantitative interviews / Questionnaires / Sarcoma / Sleep / Social aspects / Socioeconomic factors / Socioeconomic status / Study Protocol / Surgical Oncology / Surveys / Surveys and Questionnaires / Survivorship care / Well being