Abstract P1-09-23: Symptoms, desire for help, and quality of life among recent breast cancer survivors

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Advances in detection and treatment have led to improved survival among breast cancer (BC) patients and 89% can expect >5 year survival. Progress comes at a cost, however, and patients experience lasting effects from disease and treatment. It is not clear how these effects impact quality of life (QoL) achieved by BC survivors. We examined relationships between symptoms, desire for help, and QoL among recent BC survivors. Method: Eligibility included non-metastatic BC treated < 1 year prior and attendance at a survivorship clinic. QoL was assessed with the SF-12. 19 common symptoms were assessed on a 0-5 bother scale. Participants reported desire for help item for each symptom rated > 1. Results: 171 primarily white (73%), middle aged (M=54.9 yrs), and Stage I (58%) BC survivors were recruited. Both Physical (M=48.1) and Mental (M=53.8) QoL were similar to national norms. Survivors reported an average of 12 symptoms, most commonly Fatigue (90%), Insomnia (75%), Hot Flashes (73%), and Joint Pain (70%). Most bothersome symptoms included Joint Pain (M=2.9), Decreased Sexual Drive (M=2.8), Hot Flashes (M=2.8), and Vaginal Dryness (M=2.7). Participants desired help with few symptoms (M=2.3), primarily Weight Gain (50%), Joint Pain (45%), and Numbness in Hands/Feet (44%). Both Physical and Mental QoL were negatively associated with number of symptoms experienced (r = -.46 and -.41, respectively) and number of symptoms for which help was desired (r = -.16 and -.41, respectively). Conclusion: Symptoms are common among recent breast cancer survivors and negatively impact Physical and Mental QoL. Desire for help is less common, though similarly associated with impairment in QoL. Assessing QoL in isolation from symptom burden may miss important areas for which remediation is possible and could result in improved QoL. Patient education regarding the potential for and value of symptom reduction may be needed in BC survivors. Citation Format: Steven C Palmer, SarahLena L Panzer, Karen Glanz, Marilyn M Schapira, Angela M DeMichele, Linda A Jacobs. Symptoms, desire for help, and quality of life among recent breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Seventh Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2014 Dec 9-13; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2015;75(9 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-09-23.