title: Are cancer survivors/patients knowledgeable about osteoporosis? Results from a survey of 285 chemotherapy-treated cancer patients and their companions.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  This study assessed osteoporosis knowledge deficits among cancer patients and their spouses/partners.
  
  
  METHODS
  Single-institution survey (modified version of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool).
  
  
  METHODS
  The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
  
  
  METHODS
  Consecutive chemotherapy-treated cancer patients (n = 285) with their spouses/partners (n = 101).
  
  
  METHODS
  The main outcome was the percentage of cancer patients who incorrectly conveyed that 1) cancer treatment strengthens bones (or did not know) and/or 2) male cancer patients are not at risk for osteoporosis (or did not know).
  
  
  METHODS
  Test scores and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as well as the correlation between patient and spouse/partner scores, are reported.
  
  
  RESULTS
  39% of patients (95% CI, 32% - 48%) thought cancer treatment strengthened bones or did not know, and 39% (95% CI, 32% - 48%) either answered that osteoporosis almost never occurred in men or did not know. The mean correct score on the modified Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool was 6.7 (95% CI, 6.7, 7.9), and scores from patients correlated with companion scores (r = 0.42; P < .001).
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Chemotherapy-treated cancer patients and their companions have knowledge deficits concerning osteoporosis. Educational initiatives to increase awareness may be of value.
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota 55905, USA.
authors.forename: Heidi
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: McKean
authors.forename: Sherry
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Looker
authors.forename: Lynn C
authors.initials: LC
authors.lastname: Hartmann
authors.forename: Suzanne R
authors.initials: SR
authors.lastname: Hayman
authors.forename: Judith S
authors.initials: JS
authors.lastname: Kaur
authors.forename: Robert R
authors.initials: RR
authors.lastname: McWilliams
authors.forename: Prema P
authors.initials: PP
authors.lastname: Peethambaram
authors.forename: Jean F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: Stahl
authors.forename: Aminah
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Jatoi
mesh_terms: D024221:Antineoplastic Protocols; D005260:Female; D007722:Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; D006801:Humans; D008297:Male; D008875:Middle Aged; D009369:Neoplasms / Q000000981:diagnostic imaging / Q000188:drug therapy; D010024:Osteoporosis / Q000139:chemically induced* / Q000523:psychology*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic; D011859:Radiography; D012307:Risk Factors; D018454:Spouses / Q000193:education / Q000523:psychology; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*