Providing Supportive Care for Young Breast Cancer Patients: Exploring the Comfort Level and Educational Needs of the Interprofessional Health Care Team at a Comprehensive Cancer Centre

Introduction: Younger patients diagnosed with breast cancer have unique issues compared with their older counterparts, including premature menopause, body image, and fertility/relationship concerns. However, breast cancer information tends to focus on older patients. The interprofessional team at a large hospital was surveyed to assess comfort level and knowledge of supportive care for the younger population. Methods: A one-time, cross-sectional survey was distributed to oncologists, nurses, radiation therapists, and other supportive care professionals. The survey included multiple-choice, Likert scale, and open-ended questions asking participants to assess their knowledge and comfort level around the issues faced by younger breast cancer patients. Demographic information was collected, and results were analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: In total, 67 questionnaires were returned (22% response rate); 92% of respondents felt comfortable providing care to young breast cancer patients, whereas 72% were confident in their ability to provide support for their psychosocial needs. However, most participants rated their knowledge of issues specific to these patients higher than their comfort level. Disparity between the professions occurred, with oncologists and nurses reporting a higher comfort level than other professions. Conclusions: Although most professionals felt they had good knowledge of the issues faced by young breast cancer patients, many felt less confident addressing these issues with their patients. This informational needs gap presents an opportunity for the emergence of champions to heighten awareness and educate colleagues in the supportive care of this patient population.