Abstract
PurposeTo identify adherence to follow-up recommendations in long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCS) of the SURBCAN cohort and to identify its determinants, using real-world data.MethodsWe conducted a retrospective study using electronic health records from 2012 to 2016 of women diagnosed with incident breast cancer in Spain between 2000 and 2006 and surviving at least 5 years. Adherence to basic follow-up recommendations, adherence according to risk of recurrence, and overall adherence were calculated based on attendance at medical appointments and imaging surveillance, by year of survivorship. Logistic regression models were fitted to depict the association between adherence and its determinants.ResultsA total of 2079 LTBCS were followed up for a median of 4.97 years. Of them, 23.6% had survived ≥ 10 years at baseline. We estimated that 79.5% of LTBCS were overall adherent to at least one visit and one imaging test. Adherence to recommendations decreased over time and no differences were found according to recurrence risk. Determinants of better overall adherence were diagnosis in middle age (50–69 years old), living in a more-deprived area, having fewer years of survival, receiving primary treatment, and being alive at the end of follow-up.ConclusionWe identified women apparently not complying with surveillance visits and tests. Special attention should be paid to the youngest and eldest women at diagnosis and to those with longer survival.
Highlights
Improvements in diagnosis, treatment, access to health care systems, and screening programs have greatly enhanced the likelihood of surviving the disease [1]
We aimed to (1) estimate adherence to follow-up recommendations in long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCS) in the Spanish SURBCAN cohort, in general and according to recurrence risk and (2) to identify the factors associated with adherence using real-world data
Residents are insured under two categories according to their affiliation to the Social Security System: active, for workers contributing to Social Security, and pensioners, for those receiving benefits due to retirement, permanent disability, widow/orphan-hood, or old age
Summary
Breast cancer is the most frequent cancer in women worldwide. Improvements in diagnosis, treatment, access to health care systems, and screening programs have greatly enhanced the likelihood of surviving the disease [1]. Current data show that up to 85.5% of women with breast cancer will survive 5 years and up to 70%, 10 years after diagnosis [2, 3]. The population of long-term breast cancer survivors (LTBCS), defined as women with survival for 5 years or more, is increasing [4]. The risks of recurrence and adverse effects are higher in the first few years after. Extended author information available on the last page of the article diagnosis [5, 6], second breast cancer events can occur at any time and LTBCS continue to experience health problems and disruptions to social life decades after diagnosis. The main concerns include skin disorders, lymphedema, cardiotoxicity, cognitive impairment, bone and musculoskeletal health, pain and neuropathy, premature menopause and infertility, distress, depression, and anxiety, fatigue, sexual health, return to work, and daily activities [7, 8]
Sign-in/Register to view highlights & summary Talk to us
Join us for a 30 min session where you can share your feedback and ask us any queries you have
Schedule a callDisclaimer: All third-party content on this website/platform is and will remain the property of their respective owners and is provided on "as is" basis without any warranties, express or implied. Use of third-party content does not indicate any affiliation, sponsorship with or endorsement by them. Any references to third-party content is to identify the corresponding services and shall be considered fair use under The CopyrightLaw.
