title: Why are older women not having surgery for breast cancer? A qualitative study.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  Surgery is the mainstay of treatment for breast cancer. However, there is evidence that older women are not receiving this treatment. This study explores reasons why older women are not having surgery.
  
  
  METHODS
  Twenty eight in-depth interviews were conducted with women over 70 years old with operable breast cancer receiving primary endocrine therapy (PET) as their primary treatment. The interviews focused on their perceptions of why they were being treated with PET rather than surgery. Transcripts were analysed using the Framework method.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Based on reasons for PET, patients were divided into three groups: 'Patient Declined', 'Patient Considered' or 'Surgeon Decided'. The first group 'Patient Declined' absolutely ruled out surgery to treat their breast cancer. These patients were not interested in maximising their survival and rejected surgery citing their age or concerns about impact of treatment on their level of functioning. The second group 'Patient Considered' considered surgery but chose to have PET most specifying if PET failed then they could have the operation. Patients viewed this as offering them two options of treatment. The third group 'Surgeon Decided' was started by the surgeon on PET. These patients had comorbidities and in most cases the surgeon asserted that the comorbidities were incompatible with surgery.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  Older women represent a diverse group and have multifaceted reasons for foregoing surgery. Discussions about breast cancer treatment should be patient centred and adapted to differing patient priorities.
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.|Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors: Anne Marie
authors: http://orcid.org/0000-0003-3094-1488
authors: AM
authors: Sowerbutts
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.|Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors: Jane
authors: J
authors: Griffiths
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.|Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors: Chris
authors: C
authors: Todd
authors: School of Nursing, Midwifery and Social Work, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.|Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre (MAHSC), University of Manchester, Manchester, UK.
authors: Katrina
authors: K
authors: Lavelle
mesh_terms: D000367:Age Factors; D000368:Aged; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000627:therapeutic use*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D000066491:Clinical Decision-Making; D015897:Comorbidity; D003657:Decision Making; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D018802:Patient-Centered Care / Q000379:methods / Q000639:trends; D036301:Qualitative Research
chemical_list: D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal
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