scholarly journals Breast Cancer Patients’ Experience and Wishes Regarding Communication on Sexual Health - The BEROSE Study

Author(s):  
Marion Aupomerol ◽  
Dan Chaltiel ◽  
Patricia Pautier ◽  
Delphine Wehrer ◽  
Lucie Veron ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: Although sexual health (SH) is a major concern for many patients with breast cancer (BC), only few of them receive adequate information on this topic throughout their care. BEROSE is a single-center pilot cross-sectional observational study, which aimed at evaluating communication on SH between women with BC and their health-care providers.Methods: From June 12th to July 31th, 2020, a survey was distributed to patients consulting at Breast Cancer Unit of Gustave Roussy Cancer Center. The primary endpoint was the rate of women reporting to have received information on SH from health professionals throughout active treatment administration or BC follow-up.Results: Of 348 surveys collected, 318 were completely filled and included in the analysis. Sixty-one percent of women were older than 50 years and 65% had a localized BC. The majority (63%) was receiving hormone-therapy (37%) or chemotherapy (26%). Overall, 65% reported that they had not received any information about SH throughout their care, while 69% felt it would have been important to discuss sexual issues. Most of women expected professionals to bring up the topic, preferably oncologists or gynecologists, during face-to-face consultations. Concerning satisfaction on SH, 83% reported of being satisfied or very satisfied before BC diagnosis, and only 30% at the time of our survey. Conclusion: Most of women treated or followed-up for BC feel that they lack of information regarding SH-related issues. The impact of BC diagnosis and treatment on SH should be discussed with all women from the first visit and then regularly readdressed.

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Marion Aupomerol ◽  
Dan Chaltiel ◽  
Patricia Pautier ◽  
Delphine Wehrer ◽  
Lucie Véron ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: Although sexual health (SH) is a major concern for many patients with breast cancer (BC), only few of them receive adequate information on this topic throughout their whole care pathway. BEROSE is a single-center pilot cross-sectional observational study, which aimed at evaluating communication on SH between women with BC and their health-care providers.Methods: From June 12th to July 31st, 2020, a survey was distributed to patients consulting at Breast Cancer Unit of Gustave Roussy Cancer Center. The primary endpoint was the rate of women reporting to have received information on SH from health professionals throughout active treatment administration or BC follow-up.Results: Of 348 surveys collected, 318 were fully completed and included in the analysis. Sixty-one percent of women were older than 50 years and 65% had a localized BC. The majority (63%) was receiving hormone-therapy (37%) or chemotherapy (26%). Overall, 65% reported that they had not received any information about SH throughout their care, while 69% felt it would have been important to discuss sexual issues. For 31% of women, professionals, preferably oncologists or gynecologists, should have initiated the discussion on SH, during an in-person consultation. Concerning satisfaction on SH, 83% reported being satisfied or very satisfied before BC diagnosis, and only 30% at the time they completed the survey.Conclusion: Most of women undergoing treatment or follow-up for BC feel that they lack of adequate information regarding sexual issues associated to BC. The impact of BC diagnosis and treatment on SH should be discussed with all women from the first visit and then regularly readdressed.


Author(s):  
Dieuwke R. Mink van der Molen ◽  
◽  
Claudia A. Bargon ◽  
Marilot C. T. Batenburg ◽  
Roxanne Gal ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose To identify factors associated with (perceived) access to health care among (ex-)breast cancer patients during the COVID-19 pandemic. Methods Cross-sectional study within a large prospective, multicenter cohort of (ex-)breast cancer patients, i.e., UMBRELLA. All participants enrolled in the UMBRELLA cohort between October 2013 and April 2020 were sent a COVID-19-specific survey, including the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS) questionnaire. Results In total, 1051 (66.0%) participants completed the survey. During COVID-19, 284 (27.0%) participants reported clinically relevant increased levels of anxiety and/or depression, i.e., total HADS score ≥ 12. Participants with anxiety and/or depression reported statistically significant higher barriers to contact their general practitioner (47.5% vs. 25.0%, resp.) and breast cancer physicians (26.8% vs. 11.2%, resp.) compared to participants without these symptoms. In addition, a higher proportion of participants with anxiety and/or depression reported that their current treatment or (after)care was affected by COVID-19 compared to those without these symptoms (32.7% vs. 20.5%, resp.). Factors independently associated with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression during COVID-19 were pre-existent anxiety (OR 6.1, 95% CI 4.1–9.2) or depression (OR 6.0, 95% CI 3.5–10.2). Conclusion During the COVID-19 pandemic, (ex-)breast cancer patients with symptoms of anxiety and/or depression experience higher barriers to contact health care providers. Also, they more often report that their health care was affected by COVID-19. Risk factors for anxiety and/or depression during COVID-19 are pre-existent symptoms of anxiety or depression. Extra attention—including mental health support—is needed for this group.


2020 ◽  
Vol 19 ◽  
pp. 153473542098391
Author(s):  
Chieh-Ying Chin ◽  
Yung-Hsiang Chen ◽  
Shin-Chung Wu ◽  
Chien-Ting Liu ◽  
Yun-Fang Lee ◽  
...  

Background Complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) is becoming more common in medical practice, but little is known about the concurrent use of CAM and conventional treatment. Therefore, the aim was to investigate the types of CAM used and their prevalence in a regional patient cohort with breast cancer (BC). Methods BC patients were interviewed with a structured questionnaire survey on the use of CAM in southern Taiwan at an Integrative Breast Cancer Center (IBCC). The National Centre for Complementary and Integrative Health (NCCIH) classification was used to group responses. Over a period of 8 months, all patients receiving treatment for cancer at the IBCC were approached. Results A total of 106 BC patients completed the survey (response rate: 79.7%). The prevalence of CAM use was 82.4%. Patients who were employed, were receiving radiotherapy and hormone therapy, and had cancer for a longer duration were more likely to use CAM ( P < .05). Multivariate analysis identified employment as an independent predictor of CAM use (OR = 6.92; 95% CI = 1.33-36.15). Dietary supplementation (n = 69, 82.1%) was the type of CAM most frequently used, followed by exercise (n = 48, 57.1%) and traditional Chinese medicine (n = 29, 34.5%). The main reason for using CAM was to ameliorate the side effects of conventional therapies. Almost half (46.4%) of these CAM users did not disclose that they were using it in medical consultations with their physicians. Most chose to use CAM due to recommendations from family and friends. Conclusion A large portion of BC patients at the IBCC undergoing anti-cancer treatment courses used CAM, but less than half discussed it with their physicians. Given the high prevalence of CAM, it would be justifiable to direct further resources toward this service so that cancer patients can benefit from a holistic approach to their treatment.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Siti Balqis Chanmekun ◽  
Maryam Mohd Zulkifli ◽  
Rosediani Muhamad ◽  
Norhasmah Mohd Zain ◽  
Wah Yun Low ◽  
...  

Abstract Purpose: Management of female sexual dysfunction (FSD) is vital for women with breast cancer due to the devastating consequences, which include marital disharmony and reduced quality of life. We explore healthcare providers’ (HCPs) perceptions and experiences in managing FSD for women living with breast cancer using phenomenological approach. Methods: This qualitative study was conducted using a face-to-face interview method to HCPs from two tertiary hospitals in North East Malaysia. The interviews were recorded, transcribed verbatim, and transferred to NVivo ® for data management. The transcriptions were analyzed using thematic analysis. Results: Three key barriers were identified through the thematic analysis: a scarcity of related knowledge; the influence of socio-cultural ideas about sex; and the speciality-centric nature of the healthcare system. Most HCPs interviewed had a very narrow understanding of sexuality, were unfamiliar with the meaning of FSD, and felt their training on sexual health issues to be very limited. They viewed talking about sex to be embarrassing to both parties that is, both to HCPs and patients and was therefore not a priority. They focused more on their specialty hence limited the time to discuss sexual health and FSD with their patients. Conclusion: Therefore, interventions to empower the knowledge, break the sociocultural barriers and improve the clinic settings are crucial for HCPs in managing FSD confidently.


2018 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 143
Author(s):  
Alvita Brilliana R. Arafah ◽  
Hari Basuki Notobroto

Breast cancer is cancer with the number of new cases and deaths highest in Indonesia. According to the Data Center and Information Ministry of a health Indonesia in the year 2013, the number of new cases of breast cancer of 819 and the number of deaths amounted to 217. In general, breast cancer known after stepping on an advanced stage. So the methods of early detection of breast cancer are focused on the detection of early stage tumors that are usually small with self-breast examination (SADARI). The purpose of this research is to predict the factors related to the behavior of self-breast examination (SADARI) the housewives aged 40–50 years. This research is an observational study with cross sectional approach. Sample research totaling 100 people  housewife in Kelurahan Sidotopo Wetan Kenjeran Subdistrict Surabaya. The measurement was done by providing a questionnaire to obtain information about the research variables. Variable independent research is k nowledge, attitudes, information accessibility, support health providers and descent with breast cancer. The results of this research showed the variables that are associated with the  SADARI behavior of the housewifes is attitude (p = 0.000), accessibility of information (p = 0.000), and health care providers support (p = 0.010). The majority of housewives in Kelurahan Sidotopo Wetan Kenjeran Sub-district Surabaya showed a good attitude and support toward SADARI. In the area surrounding the residence h ousewife get access information easily. There are no support for doing SADARI from health care providers.


2018 ◽  
pp. 1-10 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lydia E. Pace ◽  
Jean-Marie Vianney Dusengimana ◽  
Nancy L. Keating ◽  
Vedaste Hategekimana ◽  
Vestine Rugema ◽  
...  

Purpose In April 2015, we initiated a training program to facilitate earlier diagnosis of breast cancer among women with breast symptoms in rural Rwanda. The goal of this study was to assess the impact of the training intervention in breast cancer detection on knowledge and skills among health center nurses and community health workers (CHWs). Methods We assessed nurses’ and CHWs’ knowledge about breast cancer risk factors, signs and symptoms, and treatability through a written test administered immediately before, immediately after, and 3 months after trainings. We assessed nurses’ skills in clinical breast examination immediately before and after trainings and then during ongoing mentorship by a nurse midwife. We also examined the appropriateness of referrals made to the hospital by health center nurses. Results Nurses’ and CHWs’ written test scores improved substantially after the trainings (overall percentage correct increased from 73.9% to 91.3% among nurses and from 75.0% to 93.8% among CHWs ( P < .001 for both), and this improvement was sustained 3 months after the trainings. On checklists that assessed skills, nurses’ median percentage of actions performed correctly was 24% before the training. Nurses’ skills improved significantly after the training and were maintained during the mentorship period (the median score was 88% after training and during mentorship; P < .001). In total, 96.1% of patients seen for breast concerns at the project’s hospital-based clinic were deemed to have been appropriately referred. Conclusion Nurses and CHWs demonstrated substantially improved knowledge about breast cancer and skills in evaluating and managing breast concerns after brief trainings. With adequate training, mentorship, and established care delivery and referral systems, primary health care providers in sub-Saharan Africa can play a critical role in earlier detection of breast cancer.


2020 ◽  
Vol 4 (Supplement_2) ◽  
pp. 320-320
Author(s):  
Kenza Drareni ◽  
Moustafa Bensafi ◽  
Helene Lusson ◽  
Damien Vansteene ◽  
Agnès Giboreau ◽  
...  

Abstract Objectives Given the influence of sensory signals on food intake regulation and the subsequent nutritional status, it is important to reduce the impact of commonly observed smell and taste alterations on the pleasure of eating during chemotherapy. This study aimed to examine the effect of various types of flavor enhancement on the appreciation of an appetizer by a group of patients undergoing chemotherapy. Methods Five eggplant appetizers with no seasoning (REF) or enhanced with either salt, lemon, garlic or cumin were developed. In this cross-sectional study, 36 healthy female subjects (age 58 ± 7 y) (control group) and 84 breast cancer patients (age 56 ± 11 y) treated with chemotherapy were recruited. A hierarchical cluster analysis based on patients' self-reported smell and taste abilities classified the patients in two groups: the ‘unaltered, (high sensory abilities) n = 49’ and the ‘altered, (poor sensory abilities), n = 35’ group. Participants tasted and assessed the appreciation of the reference appetizer on a visual analog scale and performed a randomized comparative liking task, by rating the appreciation for each flavor-enhanced appetizer relative to the REF (one-sample t-test). Results There was no significant difference in the appreciation of the REF appetizer between the three groups (P &gt; 0.05). In the comparative liking task, the control group rated similarly the appreciation between the flavor-enhanced and the REF appetizers except for the cumin-enhanced appetizer, which was appreciated significantly more than the REF (P &lt; 0.001). Patients in both ‘altered’ and ‘unaltered’ groups appreciated similarly the cumin appetizer (P &gt; 0.05), more the salt and garlic-enhanced appetizers (P ≤ 0.001, P = 0.005, respectively) and significantly less the lemon-enhanced appetizer relative to the REF (P = 0.029), confirming a tendency for patients to reject acid-flavored foods. Conclusions The salt and garlic enhancements were appreciated by the patients independent of the stage of chemotherapy or the severity of smell and taste alterations. Flavor enhancement seems a good strategy to maintain the pleasure of eating in patients undergoing chemotherapy. Further research is still needed on the appreciation and intake of a complete meal (starter, main course, dessert). Funding Sources APICIL and ELIOR groups.


1997 ◽  
Vol 15 (10) ◽  
pp. 3192-3200 ◽  
Author(s):  
V A Palda ◽  
H A Llewellyn-Thomas ◽  
R G Mackenzie ◽  
K I Pritchard ◽  
C D Naylor

PURPOSE Along with evidence, clinical policies must take patients' values into account. Particularly where evidence is limited and where assumptions of utility-maximizing behavior may not be valid, new methods such as trade-off techniques (TOTs), which allow elicitation of patients' treatment alternatives, might be useful in policy formulation. We used TOTs to assess breast cancer patients' attitudes toward two clinical policies designed to ration adjuvant postlumpectomy breast radiation therapy. METHODS Cross-sectional interviews were performed in a tertiary cancer center. A total of 102 patients were presented with information about the side effects and benefits associated with two hypothetical decisions: (1) willingness to receive treatment elsewhere to shorten the wait for radiation therapy, and (2) foregoing radiation therapy in the face of small marginal benefits. For each scenario, a TOT was used to identify the maximal acceptable wait time (MAWT) for therapy and the benefit threshold at which the patient would forego therapy. Associations of clinical and demographic factors with these decisions were determined by regression analysis. RESULTS Patients would be willing to wait, on average, 7 weeks before wanting to leave their city for radiation therapy, less than the 13-week delay our patients actually faced. Older patients were less willing to wait (P = .013); 46% of patients would not give up radiation therapy, even in the face of no stated benefit. Willingness to give up radiation therapy was predicted by willingness to accept delay (odds ratio [OR], 1.84; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.05 to 3.37) and being employed (OR, 2.61; 95% CI, 1.08 to 6.54). Patients with larger tumors were less willing to give up radiation therapy (OR, 0.57; 95% CI, 0.31 to 0.97). CONCLUSION Even in difficult decisions such as rationing postlumpectomy breast cancer radiation therapy, TOTs can inform policy formulation by indicating the distributions of patients' preferences.


2020 ◽  
Vol 38 (29_suppl) ◽  
pp. 128-128
Author(s):  
Georgina T. Rodgers ◽  
Christa Poole ◽  
MaryKay Moore ◽  
Mikayla Baer ◽  
Christina Ferraro ◽  
...  

128 Background: The LGBT community is a diverse population that crosses race, ethnicity, socioeconomic status, age, and other factors. It is estimated that 8.8 million Americans are part of the community and the number is likely higher due to under reporting. The population is at increased risk for certain cancers, sexually transmitted infections, and is more likely to use alcohol, tobacco, drugs, and suffer from obesity, and behavioral health issues. LGBT patients face barriers to accessing care due to being under-insured, fear of discrimination and lack of access to culturally competent health care providers. Our cancer center embraced the need to collect sexual orientation/gender identity (SOGI) data as a means to identify and address the comprehensive needs of our patients and set a goal to provide an inclusive, patient-centered environment through education of our teams to build a trusted patient-provider relationship. Methods: We implemented a history section in the EHR to assist with data collection including, preferred name, sexual orientation, gender identity, legal sex, and sex assigned at birth. A project team was developed in 2019 to improve utilization of the existing tool and provide education to increase the comfort level of our caregivers. Our target groups consist of advance practice providers, RN care coordinators, social workers and physicians. Educational sessions occurred through multiple modes and “champions” were identified within target groups to keep the momentum going. Results: There was initial hesitation in utilization due to lack of understanding of the impact on patient care and lack of confidence in communication. Training was modified to include communication techniques and the why collection of SOGI data is important. Conclusions: A monthly report was developed to determine utilization of the SOGI fields and as of May 2020 have increased from 1.5% utilization to 17.5% utilization. A survey has been deployed to education attendees to determine pre and post education comfort levels in addressing the SOGI needs of patients and early data is showing a marked improvement in the comfort level of caregivers.


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