Needs and Preferences for Peer Support and Peer Navigation among Patients with Head and Neck Cancer: A Cross-Sectional Survey at a Canadian Cancer Centre

Introduction People with head and neck cancers (HNC) face significant practical, functional and psychosocial barriers to supportive care, including peer support. Peer navigation may help address these challenges. This study examined the needs and preferences of patients with HNC for peer support and peer navigation. Methods A cross-sectional survey was administered in clinic and by email to patients with HNC at a Canadian cancer centre. Descriptive statistics summarized peer support and peer navigation needs and preferences. Univariable and multivariable analyses examined factors associated with interest in receiving and providing peer navigation. Results Participants (n=170) were on average 59 years of age (SD=13.1) and 3.2 years post-diagnosis (SD=3.4); 73.4% were male. Half of participants (n=82, 49.7%) were interested in connecting with other HNC patients at some point since diagnosis; 37.5% (n=62) had connected, and 21.5% (n=35) received peer support. Common barriers included social media privacy concerns (62%) and inconvenience of in-person programs (51%). Interest in support from a peer cancer survivor or navigator was highest before or during treatment (61%) and post-treatment (55%), and lowest in survivorship (∼20%), but increased to 47% if offered through a digital app; 43% were interested in being peer navigators. Preferred matching characteristics included cancer, treatments, specific concerns, disease stage, and age at diagnosis. Older age (p=0.02) and anxiety (p=0.02) were associated with interest in receiving peer navigation, and greater social support with being a peer navigator (p=0.02). Conclusion Among patients with HNC surveyed, half wanted to connect with other peers, about one-third did, and only one in five received peer support. Technology-mediated peer navigation may reduce access barriers and warrants further study.