Requests for health education from Chinese cancer patients during their recovery period: a cross-sectional study.

To determine the prevalence of posttreatment patient requests for health information from Chinese cancer patients during their recovery period, a cross-sectional, descriptive study using a mailed survey was conducted among 374 patients selected randomly. The survey addressed what types of information patients actually wanted but did not receive from their care providers. Questionnaires from 360 patients were received and analyzed. Approximately 76.0% of the patients did not receive health information and expressed the need for the information. The information about how to reduce emotional distress (90.1%), rehabilitation (76.2%), disease symptoms (59.3%), and nutritional support (56.8%) were paramount among patients' concerns. Only 12.8% hoped to acquire information on sexual health. Health information for cancer patients at the recovery stage in China is poor. A tripartite involvement of the hospital-family-community and the combined intervention related to physical sequelae and psychosocial factors are needed at the recovery stage.