Reasons for the Non-Utilisation of an Oncological Rehabilitation. Results of a Written Survey with Patients of Oncological Healthcare Centers

Background Incidence and survival rates in patients with cancer are rising as well as the potential rehabilitation needs. In contrast, the numbers of rehabilitation treatments after cancer are decreasing. The reasons are not yet completely understood. Methods A written survey with patients of three cancer indications breast cancer, prostate cancer and colon cancer after acute medical treatment. 376 persons participated and were asked for rehabilitation utilisation, reasons against medical rehabilitation and subjective health status. Statistical analyses were mainly performed descriptively. Results Half of the participants used a medical rehabilitation. Those patients were more affected in subjective health and showed a higher level of disease severity. Participants who refused the utilisation of a medical rehabilitation mentioned primarily family, personal and private reasons. Conclusion The written survey provided a variety of reasons why a medical rehabilitation is not used after cancer disease. From this data, suggestions for the optimization of rehabilitation and organizational arrangements can be derived.