Adherence to Adjuvant Endocrine Therapy in Breast Cancer Patients.
Curr Oncol
; 30(2): 1461-1472, 2023 01 21.
Article
in En
| MEDLINE
| ID: mdl-36826073
ABSTRACT
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.Key words
Full text:
1
Collection:
01-internacional
Database:
MEDLINE
Main subject:
Breast Neoplasms
Limits:
Female
/
Humans
Language:
En
Journal:
Curr Oncol
Year:
2023
Document type:
Article
Affiliation country:
Italy