Annual Meeting of the NCI Cohort Consortium (Abstract Submission): Submission #15

Lightning Talks Abstract
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Presenter's First Name: : Jung Hye









Presenter's Last Name:: Kwon









Title (eg: professor, assistant professor, chair, etc):: Professor









Degree(s): MD, PhD









Contact Email:: kwonjhye.onco@gmail.com









Organization:: Chungnam National University College of Medicine/Chungnam National University Sejong Hospital









Project Title:: Quality of life follow-up cohort of patients with  incurable cancer and their caregivers attending  regional cancer centers - study  protocol/HA23C042723C042









Additional Authors:
1. First Name: Jung Hun 
   Last Name: Kang
   Organization: Division of Hematology/Oncology Department of Internal Medicine School of Medicine,  Gyeongsang National University
2. First Name:  Kyu-Hyoung
   Last Name: Lim
   Organization:  Department of Internal Medicine, Kangwon National University Hospital
3. First Name: Jung Sik
   Last Name: Huh
   Organization: Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea  4. Department of Urology, School of Medicine
4. First Name: Eun-Kee
   Last Name: Song
   Organization: Division of Hematology/Oncology, Chonbuk National University Medical School
5. First Name: Young-Jin 
   Last Name: Choi
   Organization: Department of Internal Medicine, Pusan National University Hospital
6. First Name: Ye-Seul
   Last Name: Kim
   Organization: Department of Family Medicine, Chungbuk National University Hospital
7. First Name: Byung Ho
   Last Name: Choi
   Organization: Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine
8. First Name: Hyun Woo
   Last Name: Lee
   Organization: Department of Hematology-Oncology, Ajou University School of Medicine
9. First Name: Hwan Jung 
   Last Name: Yun
   Organization: Department of Internal Medicine, Chungnam National University Hospital
10. First Name: Su-Jin
    Last Name: Koh
    Organization: Ulsan University Hospital, University of Ulsan College of Medicine, Ulsan, Republic of Korea
11. First Name:  Sun Jin  
    Last Name: Sym
    Organization: Division of Hematology and Oncology, Department of Internal Medicine, Gachon  University Gil Hospital
12. First Name:  Se-il 
    Last Name: Go
    Organization: Department of Internal Medicine, Gyeongsang National University Changwon Hospital,  Gyeongsang National University College of Medicine










Abstract::
Introduction: Cancer patients experience physical, mental, and social pain, impacting both the patient and their family. Increasing cancer incidence and advances in treatment both increase the number of cancer survivors in Korea. Because patients flock to Seoul and the metropolitan areas, continuous care and comprehensive life support are lacking. Traveling long distances for treatment causes logistical and quality-of-life challenges for patients traveling for care. Method: This prospective cohort study targets incurable cancer patients (n=720) and their families (n=288) from ten regional cancer centers and two affiliated hospitals in Korea. Sub-cohorts are based on treatment refusal, Neurologic complications,  catheter-related symptoms, and skeletal-related events. Medical records and patient-reported outcomes will be collected every three months up to three years following, with surveys for guardians conducted for a year post-patient demise. Discussion: Cancer's dynamic nature significantly affects both patients and their caregivers. Identifying factors impacting their quality of life is crucial for integrating them healthily into society. The establishment of a regional cancer center consortium, guided by the findings of this study, aims to address and improve the unmet needs of local cancer patients and their families,  enhancing overall quality of life and contributing to the well-being of our local community. Trial registration: KCT0009177 (registered at https://cris.nih.go.kr/ on 2024/02/16) 
 This study was supported by the National R&D Program for Cancer Control through the National Cancer  Center (NCC) funded by the Ministry of Health & Welfare, Republic of Korea (RS-2023-CC138341).
 Key Words: Cancer, regional cancer center, catheter, SRE, Quality of life