A Dedicated Menopausal After Cancer Clinic May Improve Adherence to Endocrine Therapy For Breast Cancer: A Population Based Study

Abstract

PurposeTo examine utilization of a dedicated menopause symptoms after cancer clinic (MSAC) and to determine whether women referred to the MSAC for management of severe hot flush symptoms are more likely to adhere to endocrine therapy compare to those with severe symptoms not referred to MSAC. Patients and methodsBreast cancer patients prescribed endocrine therapy with a diagnosis of estrogen-receptor positive breast cancer between January 2003 and December 2011 were identified from the Royal Perth Hospital Breast Unit database. Details of breast cancer pathology, endocrine therapy, endocrine therapy related side effects, referral to MSAC and patient reported adherence to endocrine therapy for up to 4 years were ascertained from the database and medical records systems. For those with severe vasomotor symptoms, total duration of endocrine therapy was compared between women referred to MSAC and those who were not referred to MSAC. ResultsAbout 1275 women were identified from the database, with the cohort followed up until Dec 2016. Of these women, 120 (9.4%) were referred to MSAC and 1155 (90.1%) received usual care. In total, 147 reported severe vasomotor symptoms of whom almost half (71) were referred to MSAC. Women with severe vasomotor symptoms managed by MSAC were less likely to discontinue endocrine therapy (15.5%) compared with those managed with usual care (26.3%). However, this difference was not statistically significant (chi-square test statistic = 2.584, 1df, P = .1). ConclusionManagement of severe vasomotor symptoms at a dedicated menopause clinic may increase adherence to endocrine therapy for breast cancer.