Lessons learned from the metastatic breast cancer community.
OBJECTIVE
To present findings from two large surveys that explored the needs for information, emotional support, provision of services, perceptions, and attitudes of women with metastatic breast cancer (MBC).


METHODS
Published articles and surveys.


CONCLUSIONS
Results from an online needs assessment of 618 women with MBC and a global survey of 1,342 women with MBC living in 13 countries interviewed following referral by their physicians revealed that the most urgent needs are for good, accurate, in-depth information about their disease, standard and emerging treatments, and ways of coping with side effects and symptoms.


CONCLUSIONS
Much research has focused on coping with early breast cancer, but little has been studied about the needs and experiences of women living with MBC. Nurses can learn from what patients have told us about what they want, to better respond to these needs.
Mayer
Musa
M
musa@echonyc.com
D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology / Q000556:secondary; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D020380:Needs Assessment; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods*; D010353:Patient Education as Topic / Q000379:methods*; D012944:Social Support