Abstract
ObjectiveThis study examined the course and predictors of supportive care needs among Mexican breast cancer patients for different cancer treatment trajectories.MethodsData from 172 (66.4% response rate) patients were considered in this observational longitudinal study. Participants were measured after diagnosis, neoadjuvant treatment, surgery, adjuvant treatment, and the first post‐treatment follow‐up visit. Psychological, Health System and Information, Physical and Daily Living, Patient Care and Support, Sexual, and Additional care needs were measured with the Supportive Care Needs Survey (SCNS‐SF34). Linear mixed models with maximum‐likelihood estimation were computed.ResultsThe course of supportive care needs was similar across the different cancer treatment trajectories. Supportive care needs declined significantly from diagnosis to the first post‐treatment follow‐up visit. Health System and Information care needs were the highest needs over time. Depressive symptoms and time since diagnosis were the most consistent predictors of changes in course of supportive care needs of these patients.ConclusionsHealth system and information care needs of Mexican breast cancer patients need to be addressed with priority because these needs are the least met. Furthermore, patients with high depressive symptoms at the start of the disease trajectory have greater needs for supportive care throughout the disease trajectory.
Highlights
This study was the first to examine the course of supportive care needs among Mexican breast cancer patients looking at differences in cancer treatment and potential predictors of changes in supportive care needs
Overall the course of supportive care needs did not differ by the cancer treatment trajectory
Supportive care needs declined over time and patients reported relatively low scores
Summary
We conducted an observational longitudinal study with measurements scheduled after diagnosis, after finishing each treatment modality, and at the first post‐treatment follow‐up visit. Group B are the patients who followed surgery and adjuvant treatment. Group C are the patients who followed neoadjuvant treatment, surgery, and adjuvant treatment. The assessments were conducted after diagnosis but before surgery (T1); after end of neoadjuvant treatment (T2); after surgery and before start of adjuvant treatment (T3); at the end of the adjuvant treatment (either chemotherapy, radiotherapy or the combination of both) (T4); at first post‐treatment follow‐up appointment (T5). Depending on these treatment trajectories, patients had 3 (group A), 4 (group B), or 5 measurements (group C). Some patients within each group were following hormone therapy, but this treatment was not taken into account in the study due to its long duration
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