Radically treated breast cancer patient's perception about routine physical follow-up visit

Abstract

Aim: The study aimed to evaluate radically treated breast cancer patient's (RTBCP) perception about routine physical follow up visit (RPFUV). Materials and Methods: RTBCP who had completed treatment at least 1 year before and attended radiation oncology department for RPFUV from August 2018 to May 2019 were evaluated for the study. Patients of both sex and all age group who were declared disease free and ready to give informed written consent for the study were interviewed before and after briefing session. The briefing session included explanation of natural history of disease, long-term treatment side effects, alarming symptoms of disease recurrence, and coping up strategies. Data were collected, compiled, and analyzed using descriptive statistics. Results: One hundred and one radically treated eligible breast cancer patients were interviewed. The median age was 51 years. The female-to-male sex ratio was 100:1. Majority of the patients were Stage II (57.43%) and 67.33% of patients were from the middle socioeconomic group. The average investigation and travel cost per visit excluding food, stay, and care's cost per patient was Rs. 765(±343) and Rs. 483.7 (±400.67), respectively. Majority of the patients (63.37%) feel stressed when they plan for RPFUV. Before briefing sessions, 57.43% of patients agreed to follow-up with a local physician or telephonic follow-up. Whereas, after briefing sessions, 62.38% of patients agreed for the same. Conclusion: Routine physical follow-up visits cause psychological and financial burden on patients. There is a need to practice an alternative to routine physical follow-up visits in RTBCP along with patient's education to further improve posttreatment quality of life.