Health profiles of 814 very long-term breast cancer survivors.
BACKGROUND
Information regarding the long-term health impact of cancer and cancer treatments on survivors is gradually accumulating but is generally limited to the first few years after diagnosis.


METHODS
We analyzed health information provided by 814 breast cancer survivors whose cancer was diagnosed >or= 15 years earlier and compared the information with that of female survivors of other cancers. These women were identified from a larger cohort of very long-term survivors of cancer who responded to a health survey.


RESULTS
All survivors underwent surgery as part of their cancer therapy, and 334 (41%) also received chemotherapy. Survivors of breast cancer reported significantly more arthritis/osteoporosis, cataracts, and heart problems than other cancer survivors. Those who were treated with chemotherapy reported more psychologic problems, loss of memory, and circulation problems than those who did not receive chemotherapy. A third (30.4%) of the breast cancer survivors reported that cancer had affected their health.


CONCLUSIONS
Very long-term survivors of breast cancer generally report good health and quality of life, as do very long-term survivors of other cancers. Nevertheless, 30.4% of breast cancer survivors report that cancer has affected their health. A number of distinctions are noted that can serve a basis for further hypothesis-driven research.
Stava
Charles
C
Department of Endocrine Neoplasia and Hormonal Disorders, The University of Texas M. D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA.
Weiss
L Todd
LT
Vassilopoulou-Sellin
Rena
R
D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000453:epidemiology* / Q000209:etiology / Q000523:psychology / Q000628:therapy*; D003131:Combined Modality Therapy / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D005260:Female; D006306:Health Surveys; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D011788:Quality of Life; D011795:Surveys and Questionnaires; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology* / Q000706:statistics & numerical data; D013781:Texas / Q000453:epidemiology; D014481:United States / Q000453:epidemiology
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents