Assessing the Needs and the Quality of Life of Women With Advanced Breast Cancer

Abstract

Background and context: Each year, 19,000 women are diagnosed with breast cancer in Argentina, which represents 16,8% of total cancer incidence. Although most of them are diagnosed with early stage, a significant number of them have or will develop advanced breast cancer (ABC). Argentina, after Uruguay, is the country of America with the highest mortality rate for breast cancer, with 19.9 deaths each 100,000 women, and there is a significant difference in the mortality rate across regions within the country. Due to the advances in treatments, some women with ABC can live for extended periods of time. Their lives are affected by anxiety and uncertainty, and periods of well-being alternate with others affected by the reality of the cancer progression and the effects of treatments. We will survey a representative number of women with ABC from different regions of Argentina, about their quality of life. This study will provide useful data about the needs of this population in terms of information, care, and other resources, as well as about gaps and disparities in accessing of services. Aim: To generate evidence about the quality of life and needs of ABC patients, that will support a public awareness campaign, raising the voices of these patients. To recommend interventions and determine the baseline for further evaluations of their efficacy. Strategy/Tactics: The assessment of the quality of life (QOL) will be performed using the EORTC QLQ-C30 version 3.0 and EORTC QLQ-BR23 questionnaires. However, a set of questions will be added to measure some outcomes such as psychosocial and medical aspects that are not considered by these questionnaires. Authorization will be obtained from the ethics committees, and informed consent will be provided by all patients. Program/Policy process: A study based on a descriptive analysis of the data will be conducted. A sample of patients diagnosed with metastatic breast cancer in several private/public centers/hospitals in Argentina will be surveyed. The clinical history and a script of open questions so that patients will be able to freely express their concerns will be used as instruments. The results and conclusions of the survey will be communicated to the centers. An awareness campaign through the media will be conducted. Outcomes: We expect that by means of this survey we will have evidence about the real needs of this group of patients, and in this way we will be able to raise their voices and create awareness about their situation, as well as propose interventions or new approaches to improve their quality of life.