scholarly journals Breast cancer survivors’ perspectives on whether clinical staff should ask breast cancer patients about childhood abuse

2014 ◽  
Vol 96 (5) ◽  
pp. 364-368
Author(s):  
L Clark ◽  
C Holcombe ◽  
J Fisher ◽  
P Salmon

Introduction Recent studies have shown that women who recall childhood abuse are at increased risk of emotional problems following a breast cancer diagnosis. How services should respond is unclear given the risk of compounding the emotional trauma of cancer with questioning about abuse. Our aim was to present the research findings to women with experience of breast cancer so as to obtain their perspective on how this evidence should influence clinical practice. Methods Participants were women who had been treated for breast cancer at one of the study units and women with a history of breast cancer who were members of a local patient support group. Three focus groups were conducted (with six, five and three participants respectively). The interview transcripts were analysed qualitatively. Results Participants emphasised the importance of the research findings for cancer care. The consensus was that abuse and its consequences for patients being treated for cancer should not be a ‘taboo’ area, and that patients should be given the opportunity and choice to disclose abuse as part of a holistic programme of care. Conclusions Services should examine how to include prompts about abuse as part of routine holistic assessment by clinical staff, who will need to be trained in eliciting and managing disclosures of abuse.

2019 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Felix Grassmann ◽  
Wei He ◽  
Mikael Eriksson ◽  
Marike Gabrielson ◽  
Per Hall ◽  
...  

Abstract Breast cancer (BC) patients diagnosed between two screenings (interval cancers) are more likely than screen-detected patients to carry rare deleterious mutations in cancer genes potentially leading to increased risk for other non-breast cancer (non-BC) tumors. In this study, we include 14,846 women diagnosed with BC of which 1,772 are interval and 13,074 screen-detected. Compared to women with screen-detected cancers, interval breast cancer patients are more likely to have a non-BC tumor before (Odds ratio (OR): 1.43 [1.19–1.70], P = 9.4 x 10−5) and after (OR: 1.28 [1.14–1.44], P = 4.70 x 10−5) breast cancer diagnosis, are more likely to report a family history of non-BC tumors and have a lower genetic risk score based on common variants for non-BC tumors. In conclusion, interval breast cancer is associated with other tumors and common cancer variants are unlikely to be responsible for this association. These findings could have implications for future screening and prevention programs.


2006 ◽  
Vol 24 (3) ◽  
pp. 345-353 ◽  
Author(s):  
Reynard R. Bouknight ◽  
Cathy J. Bradley ◽  
Zhehui Luo

PurposeTo identify correlates of return to work for employed breast cancer survivors.Patients and MethodsPatients included 416 employed women with newly diagnosed breast cancer identified from the Metropolitan Detroit Cancer Surveillance System. Patients were interviewed by telephone 12 and 18 months after diagnosis. Correlates of return to work at 12 and 18 months were identified using multivariate logistic regression.ResultsMore than 80% of patients returned to work during the study period, and 87% reported that their employer was accommodating to their cancer illness and treatment. After adjusting for demographic characteristics, health status, cancer stage, treatment, and job type, heavy lifting on the job (odds ratio = 0.42; 95% CI, 0.18 to 0.99), perceived employer accommodation for cancer illness and treatment (odds ratio = 2.2; 95% CI, 1.03 to 4.8), and perceived employer discrimination because of a cancer diagnosis (odds ratio = 0.27; 95% CI, 0.10 to 0.71) were independently associated with return to work at 12 months after breast cancer diagnosis, and perceived employer accommodation (odds ratio = 2.3; 95% CI, 1.06 to 5.1) was independently associated with return to work at 18 months after breast cancer diagnosis.ConclusionA high percentage of employed breast cancer patients returned to work after treatment, and workplace accommodations played an important role in their return. In addition, perceived employer discrimination because of cancer was negatively associated with return to work for breast cancer survivors. Employers seem to have a pivotal role in breast cancer patients' successful return to work.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyomi Mitsui ◽  
Motoki Endo ◽  
Yuya Imai ◽  
Yuito Ueda ◽  
Hiroko Ogawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The number of breast cancer patients of working age is increasing in Japan . Consequently, there is a need for support for working individuals concomitantly undergoing breast cancer treatment. The present study aimed to clarify the risk factors for resignation and taking sick leave among breast cancer survivors in continued employment at the time of diagnosis. Methods As part of a Japanese national research project (Endo-Han), the investigators conducted a web-based survey of cancer survivors (CSs) in 2018. The investigators analyzed the risk factors for post-breast cancer diagnosis resignation and sick leave using a logistic regression model, including age at diagnosis, educational level, cancer stage, surgery, pharmacotherapy, radiotherapy, employment status, and occupational type. Results 40 of 269 breast cancer survivors (14.9%) quit their job after cancer diagnosis. Predictors of resignation included lower education level (odds ratio [OR]: 3.802; 95%CI: 1.233-11.729), taking sick leave (OR: 2.514; 95%CI: 1.202-5.261), and younger age at diagnosis (OR: 0.470; 95%CI: 0.221-0.998). Of 229 patients who continued working, sick leave was taken by 72 (31.4%); having surgery was a predictor for taking sick leave (OR: 8.311; 95%CI: 1.007-68.621). Conclusions 14.9% of Japanese employees quit their jobs after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Being younger at breast cancer diagnosis, having lower educational attainment level, and utilizing sick leave were identified as predictors of post-cancer diagnosis resignation. Surgery was associated with the highest risk of taking sick leave. Breast cancer survivors exhibit higher risks for resignation, and may require more carefully follow-up after diagnosis by healthcare providers and employers to protect work sustainability.


Breast Care ◽  
2019 ◽  
Vol 15 (1) ◽  
pp. 45-54
Author(s):  
Tal Sella ◽  
Gabriel Chodick

Background: Adjuvant hormonal therapy (HT) has been consistently proven to improve multiple outcomes in early breast cancer yet rates of adherence and persistence are variable. Methods: We retrospectively identified women diagnosed with nonmetastatic breast cancer and initiating HT between January 2000 and December 2007 in a large Israeli health provider. Prescription records including the drug name, date of purchase, and the quantity of pills dispensed were collected. We used Cox proportional hazards and binary logistic models to analyze factors associated with early discontinuation (<5 years) and nonadherence (proportion of days covered, PDC <80%) of HT, respectively. Results: A total of 4,178 women with breast cancer were identified with nearly 95% of patients treated with tamoxifen as the initial HT. Over the 5-year follow-up period, early discontinuation was identified in 955 (23%) patients. The mean PDC was 82.9% (SD 0.004). Younger age and low BMI were both associated with an increased risk of early discontinuation and nonadherence. A history of hypertension was associated with a higher likelihood of both outcomes. Conclusion: Adherence and persistence with HT among Israeli breast cancer survivors are comparable to those in international reports. Interventions are necessary to identify and prevent suboptimal HT adherence.


2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kiyomi Mitsui ◽  
Motoki Endo ◽  
Yuya Imai ◽  
Yuito Ueda ◽  
Hiroko Ogawa ◽  
...  

Abstract Background The number of breast cancer patients of working age is increasing in Japan . Consequently, there is a need for support for working individuals concomitantly undergoing breast cancer treatment. The present study aimed to clarify the risk factors for resignation and taking sick leave among breast cancer survivors in continued employment at the time of diagnosis. Methods As part of a Japanese national research project (Endo-Han), the investigators conducted a web-based survey of cancer survivors (CSs) in 2018. The investigators analyzed the risk factors for post-breast cancer diagnosis resignation and sick leave using a logistic regression model, including age at diagnosis, educational level, cancer stage, surgery, pharmacotherapy, radiotherapy, employment status, and occupational type. Results 40 of 269 breast cancer survivors (14.9%) quit their job after cancer diagnosis. Predictors of resignation included lower education level (odds ratio [OR]: 3.802; 95%CI: 1.233-11.729), taking sick leave (OR: 2.514; 95%CI: 1.202-5.261), and younger age at diagnosis (OR: 0.470; 95%CI: 0.221-0.998). Of 229 patients who continued working, sick leave was taken by 72 (31.4%); having surgery was a predictor for taking sick leave (OR: 8.311; 95%CI: 1.007-68.621). Conclusions 14.9% of Japanese employees quit their jobs after being diagnosed with breast cancer. Being younger at breast cancer diagnosis, having lower educational attainment level, and utilizing sick leave were identified as predictors of post-cancer diagnosis resignation. Surgery was associated with the highest risk of taking sick leave. Breast cancer survivors exhibit higher risks for resignation, and may require more carefully follow-up after diagnosis by healthcare providers and employers to protect work sustainability.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sri Kruthi Devarakonda ◽  
Reinier Timman ◽  
Paul F. Bouvy ◽  
Arvind Oemrawsingh ◽  
Inge Apon ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose A breast cancer diagnosis can threaten every aspect of a woman’s wellbeing, including her mental health. With the growing number of breast cancer survivors, longitudinal studies addressing mental health in this population are of increasing importance now more than ever. Therefore, the current study investigated trends in emotional functioning and psychosocial wellbeing of breast cancer survivors, and the demographic and treatment characteristics that may influence these trends. Methods Prospectively collected data of women treated for breast cancer at the Erasmus MC was analyzed in this study. Emotional functioning was measured using the EORTC-QLQ-C30, while psychosocial wellbeing was measured using the BREAST-Q. Type of surgery, age, family status and employment status of study participants were retrieved from patient files. Multilevel analysis was performed to identify trends in emotional functioning and psychosocial wellbeing and to determine the relationship between aforementioned characteristics and these trends. Results 334 cancer survivors were analyzed. Psychosocial wellbeing declined, but emotional functioning showed a steady improvement over time. Type of surgery was associated with changes in emotional functioning and family status with changes in psychosocial wellbeing: women who underwent breast reconstruction showed a steeper increase in their emotional functioning and women with no partner or children showed a greater decline in psychosocial wellbeing between baseline and 12 months after surgery. Conclusion These findings can be utilized by healthcare teams to identify breast cancer patients at risk for emotional problems and to provide adequate psychological support to those women who need help dealing with their emotions and self-concept in order to optimize clinical treatment.


2012 ◽  
Vol 30 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. e11092-e11092
Author(s):  
Kadri Altundag ◽  
Ibrahim Petekkaya ◽  
Ugur Sahin ◽  
Mustafa Solak ◽  
Yavuz Ozisik

e11092 Background: Due to advances in treatment modalities and palliative care patients with breast cancer live longer compared to the past and thus encounter an increased risk for secondary cancers. This study aims at finding the frequency of other solid cancers in a retrospective cohort. Methods: A search for the history of a non-breast solid tumor (NBST) among 1914 women admitted to our institute with stage I to IV breast cancer between 2006 – 2012 was conducted. Frequency of NBST according to temporal relation with breast cancer diagnosis was calculated Results: Overall 79 NBST and 75 patients (3.9 %) with another solid tumor were discovered. Of the patients 4 had more than one tumor. For these patients the median age at diagnosis was 55 (28 – 93), median follow-up time for breast cancer was 32 months (1 – 132). Post-menopausality was 60.8 %. The most common breast cancer histology was infiltrative ductal carcinoma (70.9 %). Of the 79 NBST, 34 (43.0 %) were diagnosed after breast cancer; 30 (38.0 %) before; and 15 (19.0 %) synchronously. Median time of diagnosis for NBST after breast cancer was 21 months (7 – 296). The most common malignancies were cancers of the ovary, thyroid and uterus (17.7, 15.2 and 11.4 %, respectively). Conclusions: The frequency of gynecological cancers and thyroid cancer along the course of breast cancer is high. Common environmental and genetic factors and may be involved. These patients should be followed closely


2013 ◽  
Vol 31 (15_suppl) ◽  
pp. 9508-9508
Author(s):  
Kathryn Jean Ruddy ◽  
Anne M. O'Neill ◽  
Kathy Miller ◽  
Bryan P. Schneider ◽  
Emily Baker ◽  
...  

9508 Background: Chemotherapy-related amenorrhea (CRA) is associated with infertility and may impact treatment decision-making. We investigated whether anti-mullerian hormone (AMH) levels before chemotherapy predict likelihood of CRA. Methods: 591 patients enrolled on the quality of life substudy of ECOG5103, which randomized breast cancer patients to doxorubicin-cyclophosphamide followed by paclitaxel: 1) alone; 2) with concurrent bevacizumab; or 3) with prolonged bevacizumab. 144 of the 195 women who reported a period <12 months before enrollment consented to serum collection prior to chemotherapy. AMH was measured in 143 with available serum. Participants self-reported menstrual frequency at 12 and 18 months after enrollment. 12-month CRA was defined as no menses for 6 months before the 12-month survey, and 18-month CRA as no menses for 6 months before the 18-month survey. Fisher’s exact test was used to identify associations with CRA. Results: Of the 143, 16 were excluded due to bilateral oophorectomy or initiation of ovarian function suppression within 12 months, and 2 due to missing data at 12 months. In the remaining 125, median age at enrollment was 45 (range 25-55). 103 (82%) had CRA at 12 months, including 68% of patients </= 45 (43/63) and 97% of patients >45 (60/62). Median pre-chemotherapy AMH was 0.11 (range 0.01-8.63). 12-month CRA was more likely in women who received bevacizumab (p<0.01), were >45 (p<0.01), and had AMH </=0.11 (p<0.01) pre-treatment. Hormonal tx was not associated with 12-month CRA (p=0.63). 100 patients were eligible for 18-month CRA analysis: 81 (81%) had CRA, including 63% of patients </= 45 (33/52) and 100% (48/48) of patients >45. 18-month CRA was more likely in women >45 (p<0.01) and with AMH </=0.11 (p<0.01) pre-treatment. Bevacizumab (p=0.15) and hormonal tx (p=0.07) were not statistically significant predictors of 18-month CRA. Conclusions: Pre-chemotherapy AMH predicts risk of CRA at 12 and 18 months, and is a promising biomarker of ovarian reserve in young breast cancer survivors. Longer studies will be needed to ascertain whether lower pre-treatment AMH is associated with increased risk of later infertility. Clinical trial information: NCT00433511.


2020 ◽  
Vol 22 (1) ◽  
pp. 16-20
Author(s):  
Abu Khaled Muhammad Iqbal ◽  
Nasima Akhter ◽  
Hasan Shahrear Ahmed ◽  
Md Rassell ◽  
AMM Yahia ◽  
...  

Background: Malignant neoplastic lesions of the breast are one of the main causes of cancer death among women. In tumor cells the expression status of Estrogen receptor (ER), progesterone receptor (PR), and c-ERBB2 (HER2/neu) are therapeutically and prognostically important markers affecting the treatment approach, management and prognosis of breast carcinoma. Objective: To explore the relation of receptor status in recurrent breast cancer to age and time of recurrence. Methods: This study was conducted in National Institute of Cancer Research and Hospital (NICRH) and included 81 female patients between 20 to 75 years with recurrent breast cancer. Detection of receptor status of ER +ve/-ve, PR +ve/-ve, Her-2+ve/-ve was based on the immunohistochemistry staining of tissue samples of malignant neoplastic lesions prepared from tissue biopsies of patients with recurrent breast cancer. All the information were recorded through the pre-structured data collection sheet and analyzed. Results: This study showed that most of the recurrent breast cancer patients were Triple negative breast cancer (TNBC) (39.5%) and among them most of them were younger patients. Younger patients with TNBC had increased risk of recurrence. Most of the recurrence occurred within 1-2 years. Conclusion: It can be concluded that the assessment of the expression of these biornarkers in recurrent tumors provides reliable information for the treatment approach of locoregional tumors. Journal of Surgical Sciences (2018) Vol. 22 (1): 16-20


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