Influence of follow-up by telephone on adherence and quality of life for breast cancer patients with hormonal therapy

Abstract

Objective To explore the influence of follow-up by telephone on adherence and quality of life for breast cancer patients with hormonal therapy. Methods Totally 78 breast cancer patients with hormonal therapy were divided into the intervention group (40 cases) and the control group (38 cases). The control group were carried on routine guidance treatment and enjoined regular subsequent visit. The patients in intervention group were carried on the above-mentioned treatment and also receive regular follow-up by telephone. Through the follow-up by telephone we provided guidance for present and will present problems. Adherence for breast cancer patients with hormonal therapy and cancer rehabilitation evaluation system-short form(CARES-SF) were used to investigate the patients' adherence and quality of life six month after the intervention. Then we compared the adherence and quality of life before, six month of the intervention. The changes of adherence and quality of life scores were analyzed by repeated-measure ANOVA. Results The score of quality of life in the intervention group after 6 month of intervention was (25.43±6.04), while in the control group was (40.61±7.73) , the difference was significant between the two groups,P<0.05. The score of medication adherence in the intervention group after 6 month of intervention was (8.57±6.20), while in the control group was (14.12±6.63) , the difference was significant between the two groups,P<0.05. Conclusion Follow-up by telephone can improve adherence and quality of life for breast cancer patients with hormonal therapy. Key words: Follow-up studies; Telephone; Breast neoplasms; Medication adherence; Quality of life