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Current Oncology
Volume 32
Issue 5
10.3390/curroncol32050284
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Article

The Co-Creation of a Psychosocial Support Website for Advanced Cancer Patients Obtaining a Long-Term Response to Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy

by
Laura C. Zwanenburg
1,2,
Marije L. van der Lee
1,2,
José J. Koldenhof
3,
Janneke van der Stap
4,
Karijn P. M. Suijkerbuijk
3 and
Melanie P. J. Schellekens
1,2,*
1
Center of Research on Psychological Disorders and Somatic Diseases, Department of Medical and Clinical Psychology, Tilburg University School of Social and Behavioral Sciences, 5037DB Tilburg, The Netherlands
2
Department of Scientific Research, Helen Dowling Institute, Centre for Psycho-Oncology, 3723MB Bilthoven, The Netherlands
3
Department of Medical Oncology, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3582CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
4
Department of Respiratory Diseases, University Medical Centre Utrecht, Utrecht University, 3582CX Utrecht, The Netherlands
*
Author to whom correspondence should be addressed.
Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32(5), 284; https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32050284
Submission received: 17 April 2025 / Revised: 15 May 2025 / Accepted: 16 May 2025 / Published: 19 May 2025
(This article belongs to the Section Psychosocial Oncology)
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Abstract

Due to new treatment options, the number of patients living longer with advanced cancer is rapidly growing. While this is promising, many long-term responders (LTRs) face difficulties adapting to life with cancer due to persistent uncertainty, feeling misunderstood, and insufficient tools to navigate their “new normal”. Using the Person-Based Approach, this study developed and evaluated a website in co-creation with LTRs, healthcare professionals, and service providers, offering evidence-based information and tools for LTRs. We identified the key issues (i.e., living with uncertainty, relationships with close others, mourning losses, and adapting to life with cancer) and established the website’s main goals: acknowledging and normalizing emotions, difficulties, and challenges LTRs face and providing tailored information and practical tools. The prototype was improved through repeated feedback from a user panel (n = 9). In the evaluation phase (n = 43), 68% of participants rated the website’s usability as good or excellent. Interview data indicated that participants experienced recognition through portrait videos and quotes, valued the psycho-education via written text and (animated) videos, and made use of the practical tools (e.g. conversation aid), confirming that the main goals were achieved. Approximately 90% of participants indicated they would recommend the website to other LTRs. The Dutch website—Doorlevenmetkanker (i.e., continuing life with cancer) was officially launched in March 2025 in the Netherlands.
Keywords: neoplasm metastasis; immunotherapy; molecular targeted therapy; psychosocial support systems; psychological wellbeing; e-health neoplasm metastasis; immunotherapy; molecular targeted therapy; psychosocial support systems; psychological wellbeing; e-health

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MDPI and ACS Style

Zwanenburg, L.C.; van der Lee, M.L.; Koldenhof, J.J.; van der Stap, J.; Suijkerbuijk, K.P.M.; Schellekens, M.P.J. The Co-Creation of a Psychosocial Support Website for Advanced Cancer Patients Obtaining a Long-Term Response to Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy. Curr. Oncol. 2025, 32, 284. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32050284

AMA Style

Zwanenburg LC, van der Lee ML, Koldenhof JJ, van der Stap J, Suijkerbuijk KPM, Schellekens MPJ. The Co-Creation of a Psychosocial Support Website for Advanced Cancer Patients Obtaining a Long-Term Response to Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy. Current Oncology. 2025; 32(5):284. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32050284

Chicago/Turabian Style

Zwanenburg, Laura C., Marije L. van der Lee, José J. Koldenhof, Janneke van der Stap, Karijn P. M. Suijkerbuijk, and Melanie P. J. Schellekens. 2025. "The Co-Creation of a Psychosocial Support Website for Advanced Cancer Patients Obtaining a Long-Term Response to Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy" Current Oncology 32, no. 5: 284. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32050284

APA Style

Zwanenburg, L. C., van der Lee, M. L., Koldenhof, J. J., van der Stap, J., Suijkerbuijk, K. P. M., & Schellekens, M. P. J. (2025). The Co-Creation of a Psychosocial Support Website for Advanced Cancer Patients Obtaining a Long-Term Response to Immunotherapy or Targeted Therapy. Current Oncology, 32(5), 284. https://doi.org/10.3390/curroncol32050284

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