Evaluation of Important Contact Persons and Their Helpfulness in Coping with Metastatic Breast Cancer Induced Psycho-Social Distress. A Prospective Study at a Community-Based Oncology Group Practice in Germany.

Abstract

Abstract Introduction: Since psycho-social distress is a prevalent condition in metastatic breast cancer patients, it is important to find out which contact persons are called on most frequently to find help in dealing with this situation. In addition to the significance of these contact persons we wanted to find out to what extend they were actually helpful for the patients when contacted.Methods: 57 patients with metastatic breast cancer visiting the practice in April and May 2009 were administered the Distress Thermometer (DT) and Problem List (PL). Thereafter a standardized personal interview was held concerning their important contact persons where patients were asked to name their important contact persons freely. After this additionally a list of possible contact persons was read to the patients to complete the set of persons the patient has contacted. For each contact person the patient was asked to indicate if this contact was helpful or not.Results: The mean distress level observed in this population of 57 metastatic breast cancer patients was 4.9. 36% showed a distress level > 5. Physical problems as a source of distress were stated by 93%, emotional, familial, practical or spiritual problems were causing distress in 72%, 26%, 21% and 4% respectively. 88% of patients named their oncologist as an important person to help them with their distress. Children, partner, friends and general practitioner were important persons for 70%, 65%, 60% and 54% respectively. Regarding only the free answers the order of the most important persons was partner (60%), children (54%), friends (42%), other family members (35%), oncologist (28%), general practitioner (14%). All patients (100%) who sought help from their oncologist described this as helpful. Children, partner, friends and general practitioner were helpful in 90%, 86%, 94% and 94% of cases. 10 patients (18%) had contacted a psychiatrist. This was helpful for 8 (80%) of these patients.There is a positive and statistically significant correlation between distress level and number of persons contacted. (r=.283; p=0.033).Conclusions: Psycho-social distress in patients with metastatic breast cancer is mostly caused by physical and emotional problems. Patients treated in an oncology practice reported a network of care-giving persons as helpful in the coping process. Persons described as being most helpful were oncologists, partner, children, friends an general practitioner. Patients with higher distress levels tend to contact more different persons in trying to find help. Citation Information: Cancer Res 2009;69(24 Suppl):Abstract nr 1072.