Meeting the needs of cancer patients: identifying patients', relatives' and professionals' representations.

Background And Aim: The literature on cancer patients agrees that most of the cancer patients' needs often remain unmet. How are these different needs perceived by patients, relatives and professionals? The present research has tried to make a contribution by analysing evidences of the needs, especially unmet, that different actors attribute to a cancer patient.

Method: A total of 42 Italian participants (76.

[The degree of coincidence between the needs of cancer patients and the answers in the statutes of associations and dedicated health services].

Aims: The research took place in the northern area of Emilia Romagna, and aimed at investigating the needs expressed by cancer patients and those included in the goals of health services and associations dedicated to cancer disease.

Method: The study involved 22 cancer patients (12 females and 10 males, mean age 55.36 +/- 10.