Adjuvant tamoxifen: predictors of use, side effects, and discontinuation in older women.
OBJECTIVE
To identify predictors of adjuvant tamoxifen use, side effects, and discontinuation in older women.


METHODS
We followed a cohort of 303 women > or = 55 years of age diagnosed with stage I or stage II breast cancer for nearly 3 years. Data were collected from women's surgical records and from computer-assisted telephone interviews at 5, 21, and 33 months after primary tumor therapy.


RESULTS
Two hundred ninety-two (96%) of 303 patients in the study provided information about tamoxifen use. Tamoxifen use was reported by 189 patients (65%); 26 (15%) discontinued use during the follow-up period. Patients who were 65 to 74 years of age (relative to those 55 to 64 years of age), had stage II disease, were estrogen receptor-positive, saw a greater number of breast cancer physicians, and had better perceptions of their abilities to discuss treatment options with physicians had greater odds of tamoxifen use. Those who had better physical function, had received standard primary tumor therapy, and had obtained helpful breast cancer information from books or magazines had lesser odds of tamoxifen use. Patients > or = 75 years of age (relative to those 55 to 64 years of age) and patients with better emotional health had significantly lesser odds of reporting side effects. Patients who were estrogen receptor-positive were less likely to stop taking tamoxifen; patients who experienced side effects were more likely to stop taking tamoxifen.


CONCLUSIONS
Deviations from a prescribed course of adjuvant tamoxifen occur relatively frequently. The clinical consequences of this deviation need to be identified.
Demissie
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S
Boston University School of Public Health, Boston University School of Medicine, and Boston Medical Center, Boston, MA 02118, USA.
Silliman
R A
RA
Lash
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TL
D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000473:pathology / Q000601:surgery; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D015331:Cohort Studies; D003625:Data Collection; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D016015:Logistic Models; D008875:Middle Aged; D015999:Multivariate Analysis; D009367:Neoplasm Staging; D010349:Patient Compliance; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D013629:Tamoxifen