Translation and perceptions of the French version of the Cancer Survivor Profile-Breast Cancer (CSPro-BC): a tool to identify and manage unmet needs

Purpose: Worldwide healthcare systems continue to struggle to reduce the unmet needs of a growing population of breast cancer survivors (BCSs). The Cancer Survivor Profile-Breast Cancer (CSPro-BC) survey was developed to address BCS’s specific needs. This study aims to produce a culturally adapted French version of the CSPro-BC. Methods: The CSPro-BC was developed through five steps including back translation, use of a multidisciplinary committee, and pretest with BCS (n = 22). Healthcare providers (HCP) (n = 7) from cancer and primary care settings were also interviewed to obtain perceptions of facilitators and barriers to utilization in daily practice. Results: BCS were 40–69 years old (50%), ≥ 5 years post-diagnosis (45%), received chemotherapy alone or in combination (73%). Questionnaire instructions were perceived as clear, the number of questions (n = 73) acceptable, the questions non-intrusive and not complicated. Clarity of questions (min = 1; max = 7) ranged from 4 to 7 with a mean score of 5.9 out of 7. HCP perceived the CSPro-BC as useful for improving communication with BCS. However, HCP stressed implementation concerns regarding competencies, BCS acceptability, and limited resources in the healthcare system to meet the identified concerns. Conclusions: CSPro-BC is a credible tool for assessment in Francophone nations. Our study provides an important perspective in the translation method, including both survivors and HCP perspectives. Further research is required to evaluate its psychometric qualities, sensitivity to change and its clinical signification. Implications for cancer survivors: Access to assessment tools specific to French-speaking cancer survivors having a potential to improve support from HCP and self-management capacity for BCS.