Schizophrenia does not adversely affect the treatment of women with breast cancer: a cohort study.
BACKGROUND
Data on the natural course of patients with breast cancer and schizophrenia are limited. Although there have been studies in assessing the incidence of breast cancer in the setting of schizophrenia, there is very little information concerning the clinical profile of these women.


METHODS
We analyzed the data from our electronic notes system by searching for the terms 'schizophrenia' or 'schizophrenic' and 'breast cancer' or 'tumour' between 1993 and 2009. Information was collected on demographics, clinico-pathologic disease variables, treatment including anti-emetic use, chemotherapy delivery and outcomes.


RESULTS
From 90,676 patients screened, we identified 37 individuals who had breast cancer and a pre-existing underlying diagnosis of schizophrenia. Of these, 30 (81%) presented with early breast cancer and 7 (19%) presented with metastatic disease. Node positivity was observed in 14 individuals (38%). The average interval between diagnosis of schizophrenia and breast cancer was more than 20 years in the majority of the patients. Treatment outcomes, trial involvement, compliance and ability to provide informed consent were similar to our previously published cohort data.


CONCLUSIONS
Schizophrenia does not affect treatment delivery or outcomes in women with breast cancer. The presence of schizophrenia should not be a limiting factor for entry into clinical trials. Breast cancer patients with this illness should be offered standard treatment without discrimination, including entry into clinical trials.
Sharma
Anand
A
Departments of Oncology and Surgery, Imperial College Healthcare NHS Trust, Charing Cross Hospital, Fulham Palace Road, London, UK.
Ngan
Sarah
S
Nandoskar
Ashwini
A
Lowdell
Charles
C
Lewis
Jacqueline S
JS
Hogben
Katy
K
Coombes
R Charles
RC
Stebbing
Justin
J
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000150:complications* / Q000628:therapy*; D002986:Clinical Trials as Topic; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D018579:Patient Selection; D012559:Schizophrenia / Q000150:complications*; D016896:Treatment Outcome