Breast cancer survivorship (CS): A comparison of perceptions in the acute and extended survival phases

Abstract

20599 Background: There are three phases of CS: acute, extended, and permanent. While fear of recurrence, anxiety, and physical limitations are constant elements of the extended survival phase (ESP), other patient perceptions during this phase are not well known. This study examined perceptions among patients in the ESP and compared them to the acute survival phase (ASP), which was studied previously in the pilot project. Methods: Forty-eight female breast cancer patients who have completed chemotherapy and are in remission were individually interviewed. Subjects were queried about multiple areas of survivorship including their social support system, satisfaction and adherence with treatment, satisfaction and trust of their primary care physician (PCP), nursing staff, and medical oncologist, distress level (0- 10), and quality of life. Results: Overall, 96% of patients in the ESP were satisfied with their treatment and 88% felt they were well-informed about their cancer and treatment as compared to 63% and 53% in the ASP, respectively. In the ESP, 98% of patients were satisfied with the medical care they received with regards to their physical well-being, 85% for psychological well-being, 77% for social well- being, and 67% for spiritual well-being as compared to 67%, 57%, 43%, and 23% in the ASP, respectively. In the ESP, 79% reported satisfaction with their PCP, 98% with nursing staff, and 98% with their medical oncologist, as compared to 60%, 83%, and 63% in the ASP, respectively. Patients in the ESP had lower average distress scores, 4.5 versus 5.2 in the ASP. 46% of patients in the ESP were treated for depression compared with 27% in the ASP. 58% of patients in the ESP listed 7+ members in their social support group compared to 28% in the ASP. Conclusions: This pilot study of perceptions and beliefs of adult cancer survivors in the ESP identified that though patients are satisfied in more areas than in the ASP, there is still a need to better address social and spiritual well-being and identify depression, while continuing to provide ideal medical care. In the future, more studies should be done in adult patients in all phases of CS. No significant financial relationships to disclose.