Journal
CURRENT ONCOLOGY
Volume 30, Issue 2, Pages 1461-1472Publisher
MDPI
DOI: 10.3390/curroncol30020112
Keywords
breast cancer; adjuvant endocrine therapy; adherence to treatment; side effects; tamoxifen; aromatase inhibitors; GnRH agonist; questionnaire
Categories
Ask authors/readers for more resources
This study analyzed the side effects of adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) and their impact on treatment adherence. It found that side effects led to a 12% discontinuation rate, and trustful patient-physician communication and a good-quality care network could improve adherence to treatment.
Background: Adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) reduces breast cancer recurrence and mortality of women with hormone-receptor-positive tumors, but poor adherence remains a significant problem. The aim of this study was to analyze AET side effects and their impact on adherence to treatment. Methods: A total of 373 breast cancer patients treated with AET filled out a specific questionnaire during their follow up visits at the Breast Unit of our Centre. Results: Side effects were reported by 81% of patients, 84% of those taking tamoxifen and 80% of those taking aromatase inhibitors (AIs). The most common side effect in the tamoxifen group was hot flashes (55.6%), while in the AI group it was arthralgia (60.6%). The addition of GnRH agonists to both tamoxifen and AI significantly worsened all menopausal symptoms. Overall, 12% of patients definitively discontinued AET due to side effects, 6.4% during the first 5 years and 24% during extended therapy. Patients who had previously received chemotherapy or radiotherapy reported a significantly lower discontinuation rate. Conclusions: AET side effects represent a significant problem in breast cancer survivors leading to irregular assumption and discontinuation of therapy. Adherence to AET may be improved by trustful patient-physician communication and a good-quality care network.
Authors
I am an author on this paper
Click your name to claim this paper and add it to your profile.
Reviews
Recommended
No Data Available