Women's experiences with antiestrogen therapy to treat breast cancer.
OBJECTIVE
To understand the experiences of women undergoing antiestrogen therapy (AET) to treat breast cancer.


METHODS
Content analysis of tape-recorded focus group interviews.


METHODS
Breast oncology center of a large medical center in the northeastern United States.


METHODS
Purposive sample of 21 women undergoing AET to treat breast cancer.


METHODS
A nonexperimental qualitative, descriptive design using open-ended interviews and content analysis to isolate themes.


METHODS
Women's experiences with AET.


RESULTS
Five themes were isolated and were focused on the overall experience of having breast cancer: symptoms related to AET, shared decision making, being strong for others, discovering new priorities, and recognizing vulnerability.


CONCLUSIONS
Oral therapies are an increasingly popular treatment option for various types of cancer, particularly in women with estrogen-sensitive breast cancer. Although this type of treatment has been efficacious in terms of disease-free and overall survival, women undergoing AET face many challenges related to treatment. Healthcare providers need to understand women's perceptions of AET and its effects as a first step in the process of developing interventions to improve care.


CONCLUSIONS
More research is needed to distinguish whether the presence of preexisting chronic illness, differences in type of AET, age, and ethnicity impact the overall experience of women on AET. Individual interviews may be necessary to fully explore the experience. Oncology nurses should implement surveillance care to explore the effects of AET on women with breast cancer.
Connell School of Nursing, Boston College, Massachusetts, USA. flanagjg@bc.edu
Jane
J
Flanagan
Loren N
LN
Winters
Karleen
K
Habin
Barbara
B
Cashavelly
D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000970:Antineoplastic Agents / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy / Q000451:nursing / Q000523:psychology; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D015404:Nursing Methodology Research; D009859:Oncology Nursing / Q000379:methods; D010361:Patients / Q000523:psychology*; D012649:Self Concept
D000970:Antineoplastic Agents; D020847:Estrogen Receptor Modulators