Supportive Care Needs of Patients on Surveillance and Treatment for Non-Muscle-Invasive Bladder Cancer

Objective: This literature review provides an overview of non-muscle-invasive bladder cancer diagnosis (NMIBC), treatment, and surveillance. Existing evidence is reviewed to identify the NMIBC patient pathway, highlight its effect on quality of life, and identify supportive care needs of this patient group. A framework to guide nurses in the care of this underserved population is proposed. Data Sources: Electronic databases including CINAHL, Medline, PsychInfo, Cochrane, and Google Scholar were searched. Conclusion: NMIBC is a chronic disease with high recurrence and progression rates with most patients requiring invasive treatment and burdensome surveillance schedules with frequent hospital visits. Treatment-related side effects may interrupt therapy and possibly result in its discontinuation. Patients’ quality of life can be negatively affected at various stages of the cancer trajectory. Specialist nurses provide holistic care throughout all stages of the patient journey to optimize supportive care, information provision, and delivery of appropriate treatment and surveillance protocols. NMIBC research is historically underfunded with a paucity of evidence identifying the supportive care needs of this population. Further research is urgently required to fill the gaps identified. Implications for Nursing Practice: This timely paper raises the profile of unmet supportive care needs in an underserved research cancer population. Suggestions are proposed to improve the quality of nursing care through standardized practices and the development and integration of patient pathways. Evidence of the effect of NMIBC on family members or carers is absent from the literature. Future research implications and directions are proposed.