Impact of comorbidities and treatment burden on general well-being among women's cancer survivors.

BACKGROUND: Gains in cancer detection and treatment have meant that more patients are now living with both cancer and other chronic health conditions, which may become burdensome. We used the Patient Experience with Treatment and Self-Management (PETS) framework to study challenges in self-management and its impact on health among survivors of women's cancers who are caring for other chronic health conditions. METHODS: Applicability of the PETS domains among survivors of women's cancers with comorbidities was assessed in focus groups to create the study survey. Women surviving primary breast, cervical, ovarian, or endometrial/uterine cancer treated between 6 months and 3 years prior at two large healthcare systems in Virginia were mailed study invitation letters to complete a telephone-based survey. The survey included questions on cancer treatment history, comorbid conditions prior to cancer, treatment and self-management experiences, health literacy, financial security, and items on self-management activities, self-management difficulties and self-management impact (i.e., role/social activity limitations and physical/mental exhaustion). Additionally, general health was assessed with items from the Patient-Reported Outcomes Measurement Information System (PROMIS). Hierarchical regression models and path analysis were used to examine correlates of self-management impact on general physical health (GPH) and mental health (GMH). RESULTS: Of 1448 patients contacted by mail, 274 (26%) returned an interest form providing their consent to be contacted. Of these, 183 completed the survey. Reasons for non-completion included ineligibility (42), unable to be reached (33) and refusal (6). The majority were survivors of breast (58%) or endometrial/uterine cancer (28%), and 45% resided in non-urban locations. After adjusting for age, race, and cancer type, survivors with higher self-management difficulty reported higher self-management impact, which was associated with lower perceived general health. Reports of higher self-management impact was associated with being single or unmarried, white race, fulltime employed, higher financial insecurity, lower health literacy and more comorbidities. In path analysis, self-management impact was a significant mediator in the association of comorbidity and financial insecurity on GPH and GMH. CONCLUSIONS: Among survivors of women's cancer, pre-diagnosis comorbidity, health literacy, and financial security are associated with psychosocial impact of self-management and general physical and mental health in the 6 month to 3-year period after cancer treatment has ended. The impact of self-management on psychosocial functioning is an important factor among cancer survivors caring for multiple chronic health conditions. This study provides evidence on the importance of assessing cancer survivors' self-management difficulties such as in future interventions to promote health and wellness.

Characterization of male breast cancer: results of the EORTC 10085/TBCRC/BIG/NABCG International Male Breast Cancer Program.

Background: Male breast cancer (BC) is rare, managed by extrapolation from female BC. The International Male BC Program aims to better characterize and manage this disease. We report the results of part I, a retrospective joint analysis of cases diagnosed during a 20-year period. Methods: Patients with follow-up and tumor samples, treated between 1990 and 2010, in 93 centers/9 countries. Samples were centrally analyzed in three laboratories (the United Kingdom, the Netherlands and the United States). Results: Of 1822 patients enrolled, 1483 were analyzed; 63.5% were diagnosed between 2001 and 2010, 57 (5.1%) had metastatic disease (M1). Median age at diagnosis: 68.4 years. Of 1054 M0 cases, 56.2% were node-negative (N0) and 48.5% had T1 tumors; 4% had breast conserving surgery (BCS), 18% sentinel lymph-node biopsy; half received adjuvant radiotherapy; 29.8% (neo)adjuvant chemotherapy and 76.8% adjuvant endocrine therapy (ET), mostly tamoxifen (88.4%). Per central pathology, for M0 tumors: 84.8% ductal invasive carcinomas, 51.5% grade 2; 99.3% estrogen receptor (ER)-positive; 81.9% progesterone receptor (PR)-positive; 96.9% androgen receptor (AR)-positive [ER, PR or AR Allred score ≥3]; 61.1% Ki67 expression low (<14% positive cells); using immunohistochemistry (IHC) surrogates, 41.9% were Luminal-A-like, 48.6% Luminal-B-like/HER-2-negative, 8.7% HER-2-positive, 0.3% triple negative. Median follow-up: 8.2 years (0.0-23.8) for all, 7.2 years (0.0-23.2), for M0, 2.6 years (0.0-12.7) for M1 patients. A significant improvement over time was observed in age-corrected BC mortality. BC-specific-mortality was higher for men younger than 50 years. Better overall (OS) and recurrence-free survival (RFS) were observed for highly ER+ (P = 0.001), highly PR+ (P = 0.002), highly AR+ disease (P = 0.019). There was no association between OS/RFS and HER-2 status, Ki67, IHC subtypes nor grade. Conclusions: Male BC is usually ER, PR and AR-positive, Luminal B-like/HER2-negative. Of note, 56% patients had T1 tumors but only 4% had BCS. ER was highly positive in >90% of cases but only 77% received adjuvant ET. ER, PR and AR were associated with OS and RFS, whereas grade, Ki67 and IHC surrogates were not. Significant improvement in survival over time was observed.

Management of Potential Long-Term Toxicities in Breast Cancer Patients.

Breast cancer is the most common non-cutaneous malignancy among women, and there are over 3 million breast cancer survivors living in the United States today. Excellent cure rates with modern therapies are associated with substantial toxicities for many women; it is important that health care providers attend to the resulting symptoms and issues to optimize quality of life in this population. In this article, we review management options for potential long term toxicities in breast cancer survivors, with a particular focus on bone health, fertility preservation, premature menopause, cardiac dysfunction, and cognitive impairment.

Male breast cancer: risk factors, biology, diagnosis, treatment, and survivorship.

BACKGROUND: The causes, optimal treatments, and medical/psychosocial sequelae of breast cancer in men are poorly understood. DESIGN: A systematic review of the English language literature was conducted to identify studies relevant to male breast cancer between 1987 and 2012 and including at least 20 patients. Searches were carried out on PubMed using the title terms 'male breast cancer' or 'male breast carcinoma'. RESULTS: Relevant published data regarding risk factors, biological characteristics, presentation and prognosis, appropriate evaluation and treatment, and survivorship issues in male breast cancer patients are presented. BRCA2 mutations, age, conditions that alter the estrogen/androgen ratio, and radiation are proven risk factors. Disease biology is distinct in men, but diagnostic approaches and treatments for men are generally extrapolated from those in women due to inadequate research in men. Survivorship issues in men may include sexual and hormonal side-effects of endocrine therapies as well as unique psychosocial impacts of the disease. CONCLUSION: Further research is needed to address gaps in knowledge pertaining to care of male breast cancer patients and survivors.

Persistence, adherence, and toxicity with oral CMF in older women with early-stage breast cancer (Adherence Companion Study 60104 for CALGB 49907).

BACKGROUND: Cyclophosphamide-methotrexate-5-fluorouracil (CMF) is often selected as adjuvant chemotherapy for older patients with early-stage breast cancer due to perceived superior tolerability. We sought to measure persistence with CMF, adherence to oral cyclophosphamide, and the association of these with toxic effects. PATIENTS AND METHODS: CALGB 49907 was a randomized trial comparing standard chemotherapy (CMF or AC, provider/patient choice) with capecitabine in patients aged ≥65 with stage I-IIIB breast cancer. Those randomized to standard therapy and choosing CMF were prescribed oral cyclophosphamide 100 mg/m(2) for 14 consecutive days in six 28-day cycles. Persistence was defined as being prescribed six cycles of at least one of the three CMF drugs. Adherence was the number of cyclophosphamide doses that women reported they had taken divided by the number prescribed. Persistence and adherence were based on case report forms and medication calendars. RESULTS: Of 317 randomized to standard chemotherapy, 133 received CMF. Median age was 73 (range 65-88). Seventy-one percent submitted at least one medication calendar; 65% persisted with CMF. Non-persistence was associated with node negativity (P = 0.019), febrile neutropenia (P = 0.002), and fatigue (P = 0.044). Average adherence was 97% during prescribed cycles. CONCLUSIONS: Self-reported adherence to cyclophosphamide was high, but persistence was lower, which may be attributable to toxic effects.

Genetic testing in young women with breast cancer: results from a Web-based survey.

BACKGROUND: Young women with breast cancer have an increased risk for harboring a BRCA1 or BRCA2 mutation. Frequency of genetic testing and factors associated with testing have not been well described in this population. PATIENTS AND METHODS: We evaluated the rate of genetic testing among young breast cancer survivors identified through the Young Survival Coalition (YSC), an advocacy group for young women with breast cancer. Items regarding family history and genetic testing were included in a Web-based cross-sectional survey. RESULTS: A total of 701 women were eligible based on a history of breast cancer diagnosed < or =40 years. Mean age at diagnosis was 32.9 years and mean age at survey 35.7 years. About 41% reported a first- or second-degree relative with breast or ovarian cancer. About 24% had undergone genetic testing, and 26% of those tested reported that a mutation was found. By multivariate logistic regression, likelihood of having undergone testing was higher in women who were younger at diagnosis, were more educated, had a first- or second-degree relative with breast or ovarian cancer, had a mastectomy rather than breast conservation, and considered themselves at high risk for a cancer-predisposing mutation. CONCLUSION: Most women diagnosed with breast cancer < or =40 years do not undergo genetic testing.