title: Perspectives of postmenopausal breast cancer survivors on adjuvant endocrine therapy-related symptoms.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  To conduct an investigation of women's experiences related to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) and managing AET-related symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Qualitative, focus group design.
  
  
  METHODS
  Main campus of the University of Pittsburgh in Pennsylvania.
  
  
  METHODS
  14 breast cancer survivors, aged 50 years or older, with AET-related symptoms.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semistructured discussion guides were used to elicit recollections of conversations with healthcare providers about starting AET, symptom experiences, symptom management, and suggestions for improving management. Audiotaped discussions were transcribed and analyzed to identify themes.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women reported that, initially, AET was not viewed as a choice, but rather as the necessary next step to save their lives. After starting AET, women experienced difficulties making sense of, communicating about, and managing unanticipated AET-related symptoms. Women who experienced persistently bothersome symptoms began weighing the pros and cons of AET to decide whether to continue treatment.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Focus group findings suggest multiple opportunities to better prepare patients for AET and to improve assessment and management of AET-related symptoms.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  By exploring AET-related symptom experiences, nurses may be able to promote AET adherence in breast cancer survivors.
authors.affiliation: Division of Hematology-Oncology and Geriatric Medicine in the Department of Medicine, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: G J
authors.initials: GJ
authors.lastname: van Londen
authors.affiliation: Department of Acute and Tertiary Care, Office of Community Partnerships, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Heidi S
authors.initials: HS
authors.lastname: Donovan
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Ellen B
authors.initials: EB
authors.lastname: Beckjord
authors.affiliation: Biobehavioral Oncology Program, University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute.
authors.forename: Alexandra L
authors.initials: AL
authors.lastname: Cardy
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Psychology, Clinical and Translational Science Institute, Behavioral and Community Health Services, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Dana H
authors.initials: DH
authors.lastname: Bovbjerg
authors.affiliation: University of Pittsburgh Cancer Institute and UPMC.
authors.forename: Nancy E
authors.initials: NE
authors.lastname: Davidson
authors.affiliation: School of Health Sciences, Chatham University in Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Jennifer Q
authors.initials: JQ
authors.lastname: Morse
authors.affiliation: Department of Medicine, Psychiatry, and Clinical and Translational Science, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Galen E
authors.initials: GE
authors.lastname: Switzer
authors.affiliation: Department of Clinical Psychology, Vrije Universiteit (VU) Medical Center, Amsterdam, Netherlands.
authors.forename: Irma M
authors.initials: IM
authors.lastname: Verdonck-de Leeuw
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Psychology, Epidemiology, and Biostatistics, University of Pittsburgh.
authors.forename: Mary Amanda
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Dew
mesh_terms: D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms; D017024:Chemotherapy, Adjuvant; D004965:Estrogen Antagonists / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D005260:Female; D017144:Focus Groups; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D017698:Postmenopause; D017741:Survivors; D013629:Tamoxifen / Q000009:adverse effects / Q000627:therapeutic use*
chemical_list: D004965:Estrogen Antagonists; D013629:Tamoxifen
keywords: adjuvant endocrine therapy; breast cancer; quality of life