9124 Background: Improved treatments mean women with advanced breast cancer (ABC) are living longer, sometimes for many years. As a result, these women may experience chronic needs that are different from those with early breast cancer. We aimed to assess the support and information needs of women living with ABC. Methods: A national postal survey was sent to 2,345 women with ABC registered as members of the consumer organizations BCNA and/or BreaCan. Women were asked about their disease, treatment, experiences of care, and to complete the Supportive Care Needs Survey. Results: The response rate was 34% (792 valid responses). Mean age was 57 (range 25-99) with 21% living alone and 27% working. 18% reported living with ABC for >7 years. 656 (85%) were having current treatment: chemotherapy (43%), hormonal therapy (46%), bisphosphonates (49%), and/or trastuzumab (Herceptin) (19%) respectively. 49% of women reported having access to a Breast Care Nurse (BCN) since diagnosis of ABC but only 3% cited a BCN or cancer nurse as their main contact. The majority (76%) cited their medical oncologist as their main contact, 8% cited their family doctor. Women wanted information about: treatment options (84.2%), new treatments (79.2%), symptoms/side effects (78.9%), clinical trials (60.8%), managing pain (57.2%) and financial assistance (38%). Women ≤ 65 had significantly higher levels of unmet needs than those >65 for the 7 items below, including all items from the sexual domain. Conclusions: Women with ABC have many unmet needs with younger women particularly needing more support with sexual needs and anxiety. Women are heavily reliant on their medical oncologist, who may not be equipped or best placed to meet these needs. Models of care need to be developed to address the unmet supportive care needs of women living with ABC. [Table: see text]
Most prevalent unmet supportive care needs in Greek ambulatory advanced breast cancer female patients receiving chemotherapy
