Quality of Life of Postmenopausal Women in the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) Adjuvant Breast Cancer Trial

2004 ◽  
Vol 22 (21) ◽  
pp. 4261-4271 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lesley Fallowfield ◽  
David Cella ◽  
Jack Cuzick ◽  
Stephen Francis ◽  
Gershon Locker ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Sexual Interest ◽  
Care Needs ◽  
Cancer Trial ◽  
Gradual Improvement ◽  
End Point ◽  
Adjuvant Breast Cancer ◽  
Endocrine Symptoms

Purpose To determine the quality of life (QoL) of women participating in the Arimidex, Tamoxifen, Alone or in Combination (ATAC) Adjuvant Breast Cancer Trial during the first 2 years of treatment. Patients and Methods A total of 1,021 women were enrolled onto the QoL subprotocol. All had completed primary treatment (surgery ± radiotherapy ± chemotherapy) and were to receive 5 years of adjuvant treatment with anastrozole (n = 335), tamoxifen (n = 347), or a combination (n = 339) of both. Patients completed the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT–B) plus endocrine subscale (ES) at baseline and 3, 6, 12, 18, and 24 months, or until disease recurrence. The primary end point was the FACT–B Trial Outcome Index (TOI). The secondary end point was the ES total score. Analyses of individual endocrine symptoms were also explored. Results Questionnaire completion approximated 85% of assessments available for analysis. Overall QoL for all groups improved from baseline during the 2-year period. There were no significant differences in TOI or ES scores across treatment groups. Endocrine symptoms increased between baseline and 3 months for all groups and stabilized thereafter. There were some small differences in side effect profiles. Compared with patients receiving tamoxifen only, patients receiving anastrozole only reported significantly fewer cold sweats and vaginal discharge, yet more vaginal dryness, painful intercourse, and loss of sexual interest. Conclusion Two years of treatment with anastrozole, tamoxifen, or the combination had a similar overall QoL impact, showing gradual improvement over time. Endocrine-related symptoms for all three arms worsened initially and recovered partially during 2 years. The different symptoms experienced may assist in decision making about treatment and supportive care needs.

Fatigue, Menopausal Symptoms, and Cognitive Function in Women After Adjuvant Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer: 1- and 2-Year Follow-Up of a Prospective Controlled Study

2005 ◽  
Vol 23 (31) ◽  
pp. 8025-8032 ◽  
Author(s):  
Helen G. Mar Fan ◽  
Nadine Houédé-Tchen ◽  
Qi-Long Yi ◽  
Irene Chemerynsky ◽  
Fiona P. Downie ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Cancer Treatment ◽  
Cognitive Dysfunction ◽  
Functional Assessment ◽  
High Sensitivity ◽  
Menopausal Symptoms ◽  
Cognitive Screen ◽  
Endocrine Symptoms

Purpose We previously evaluated fatigue, menopausal symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction in patients receiving adjuvant therapy for breast cancer and matched healthy women. Here we report assessment of these women 1 and 2 years later. Patients and Methods Patients without relapse and controls were evaluated by the Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-General Quality of Life questionnaire, with subscales for fatigue and endocrine symptoms, and by the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen. Results There were 104, 91, and 83 patients and 102, 81, and 81 controls assessed at baseline and at 1 and 2 years, respectively. Median Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Fatigue scores (range, 0 to 52) for patients improved from 31 (on chemotherapy) to 43 and 45 at 1 and 2 years, respectively, but were stable in controls (46 to 48). Median Functional Assessment of Cancer Treatment-Endocrine Symptoms scores (range, 0 to 72) for patients improved from 57 (on chemotherapy) to 59 and 61 at 1 and 2 years, respectively, and were stable in controls (64 to 65). Differences between patients and controls remained significant for these scales. The incidence of moderate-severe cognitive dysfunction by the High Sensitivity Cognitive Screen decreased in patients from 16% (on chemotherapy) to 4.4% and 3.8% and in controls from 5% to 3.6% and 0% at 1 and 2 years, respectively. There were minimal differences between estrogen receptor–positive patients who started hormonal therapy (mainly tamoxifen) after chemotherapy and estrogen receptor–negative patients who did not. Differences in quality of life between patients and controls were significant only at baseline. Conclusion Fatigue, menopausal symptoms, and cognitive dysfunction are important adverse effects of chemotherapy that improve in most patients. Hormonal treatment has minimal impact on them.

scholarly journals Factors affecting baseline quality of life in two international adjuvant breast cancer trials

1998 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 686-693 ◽  
Author(s):  
J Bernhard ◽  
◽  
C Hürny ◽  
AS Coates ◽  
HF Peterson ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Factors Affecting ◽  
Adjuvant Breast Cancer ◽  
Cancer Trials

scholarly journals Using a quality of life (QoL)-monitor: preliminary results of a randomized trial in Dutch patients with early breast cancer

2020 ◽  
Vol 29 (11) ◽  
pp. 2961-2975
Author(s):  
R. T. Lugtenberg ◽  
M. J. Fischer ◽  
F. de Jongh ◽  
K. Kobayashi ◽  
K. Inoue ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Usual Care ◽  
Early Breast Cancer ◽  
Patient Management ◽  
Illness Perceptions ◽  
Controlled Trial ◽  
Healthcare Providers ◽  
Care Needs

Abstract Purpose The diagnosis and treatment of cancer negatively affect patients’ physical, functional and psychological wellbeing. Patients’ needs for care cannot be addressed unless they are recognized by healthcare providers (HCPs). The use of quality of life (QoL) assessments with feedback to HCPs might facilitate the identification and discussion of QoL-topics. Methods 113 patients with stage I–IIIB breast cancer treated with chemotherapy were included in this randomized controlled trial. Patients were randomly allocated to receive either usual care, or usual care with an intervention consisting of a QoL-monitor assessing QoL, distress and care needs before every chemotherapy cycle visit. Patients completed questionnaires regarding QoL, illness perceptions, self-efficacy, and satisfaction with communication. From the 2nd visit onwards, patients in the intervention arm and their HCPs received a copy of the QoL overview and results were shown in patients’ medical files. Audio-recordings and patients’ self-reports were used to investigate effects on communication, patient management and patient-wellbeing. A composite score for communication was calculated by summing the number of QoL-topics discussed during each consultation. Results Use of the QoL-monitor resulted in a higher communication score (0.7 topics increase per visit, p = 0.04), especially regarding the disease-specific and psychosocial issues (p < 0.01). There were no differences in patient management, QoL, illness perceptions or distress. Patients in the experimental arm (n = 60) had higher scores on satisfaction with communication (p < 0.05). Conclusions Use of a QoL-monitor during chemotherapy in patients with early breast cancer might result in a more frequent discussion of QoL-topics, associated with high levels of patients’ satisfaction.

Tamoxifen-related endocrine symptoms in early breast cancer patients are relieved when it is switched to anastrozole

2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (18_suppl) ◽  
pp. 10597-10597 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Massacesi ◽  
L. Zepponi ◽  
M. B. Rocchi ◽  
S. Rossini ◽  
L. Burattini
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Side Effects ◽  
Early Breast Cancer ◽  
Menopausal Symptoms ◽  
Breast Cancer Patients ◽  
Related Quality ◽  
Health Related ◽  
Endocrine Symptoms

10597 Background: To determine how menopausal symptoms and quality of life changed when adjuvant tamoxifen has been suspended for any reason in favor of anastrozole in early breast cancer (BC) patients (pts). Methods: Major inclusion criteria: severe side effects or serious potential diseases caused by tamoxifen (20 mg die) that switched to anastrozole (1 mg die); confirmed early BC radically resected and with positive hormonal receptors; postmenopausal status; adjuvant chemo and/or radiotherapy suspended at least 4 wks before the hormonal switch. Exclusion criteria: discontinuation of tamoxifen for endocrine symptoms. Menopausal symptoms and health-related quality of life were assessed by the series of Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B) plus endocrine subscale (ES) questionnaires at the switch and 3, 6, 9, and 12 months later. Sample size was decided by the effect size method (SD fixed as 0.5, effect of medium value). Score modifications were evaluated by one-way ANOVAS. Results: From Feb 2002 to Jun 2003, a total of 44 women were enrolled into the study. Discontinuation of tamoxifen was for: asymptomatic uterine problems (endometrium thickening or fibromatosis) in 56% of pts; cardiovascular disorders (mainly leg thrombosis and phlebitis) in 18%; patient’s refusal in 9%; GI persistent side effects in 5%; other reasons in 12% of pts. Endocrine symptoms ameliorated between baseline and 3 months, and stabilized thereafter. Mean ES scores improvement from baseline test was +3 (95% CI, 1 to 5), +4 (95% CI, 3 to 6), +5 (95% CI, 3 to 7), and +4 (95% CI, 3 to 6) at 3, 6, 9 and 12 months, respectively. FACT-ES global score had a mean improvement during 1-yr period of 9 points (95% CI 6 to 13, p < .0005), with 22 patients (50%) ever reaching an increase ≥ 5% of the baseline score. There also was a significant improvement in TOI score (+4 points, 95% CI 2 to 6, p < .0005), and physical and breast cancer subscales (+2, 95% CI 1 to 2, p < .001, and +1, 95% CI, 1 to 2, p < .001, respectively). Pts receiving anastrozole reported higher rate of mild arthritic and bone pain (27% vs 7%, p = .021). Conclusion: When a patient develops an endocrine symptom while on tamoxifen, a change in favor of anastrozole should be considered to minimize those symptoms and to improve quality of patient’s life. No significant financial relationships to disclose.

Changes of Supportive Care Needs and Quality of Life in Patients with Breast Cancer

2016 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 217 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hee Park ◽  
Mison Chun ◽  
Yong-Sik Jung ◽  
Young-Mi Jung
Keyword(s):  
Breast Cancer ◽  
Quality Of Life ◽  
Supportive Care ◽  
Supportive Care Needs ◽  
Care Needs
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