Supportive care needs and associated factors among reproductive age women with breast cancer

Breast cancer is a prevalent disease among women of reproductive age. Despite advancements in treatment, many breast cancer survivors experience unmet supportive care needs across various domains including Physical, Psychological, Sexuality, Patient care and support, Health system and information. This study aimed to assess the supportive care needs and associated factors among reproductive age women with breast cancer. This cross-sectional study was conducted among 203 reproductive-aged women with a history of breast cancer surgery within the past 48 months in Mazandaran Province, Iran. Data were collected using the Supportive Care Needs Survey – Short Form 34 (SCNS-SF34) to assess supportive care needs, alongside sociodemographic and other related variables. The eligible participants were included in the study through census method from the Cancer Registration Center. Data were analyzed using SPSS version 16. Logistic regression was performed to identify associated factors, and a significance level of p < 0.05 was applied. The mean age of participants was 40.58 ± 5.17 years (range: 20–48). The majority were housewives (72.9%) and urban residents (75.4%). Most had undergone lumpectomy (62.6%), and 70.4% reported insufficient family income. The study revealed that 74.4% of participants had at least one unmet supportive care need, with the most commonly reported needs being physical (86.7%) and psychological (78.8%). The most frequently reported concerns included fatigue, pain, emotional distress, uncertainty about the future, and changes in sexual function and relationships. Insufficient family income emerged as a significant predictor of unmet physical and daily living needs (OR = 4.80, 95% CI: 1.77–13.04, p = 0.002) and patient care and support needs (OR = 3.13, 95% CI: 1.32–7.40, p = 0.010). Younger age (< 40 years) was strongly associated with unmet informational needs (OR = 3.50, 95% CI: 1.81–6.78, p < 0.001) and higher odds of sexual health concerns (OR = 2.15, 95% CI: 1.08–4.29, p = 0.029). The findings highlight the urgent need for tailored interventions addressing the physical, psychological, and sexual health concerns of reproductive-aged breast cancer survivors. Socioeconomic factors play a crucial role in access to supportive care, necessitating policy improvements to enhance patient-centered care.