title: A qualitative study of women's experiences of healthcare, treatment and support for metastatic breast cancer.
abstract: OBJECTIVE
  The purpose of this qualitative research was to identify the healthcare, information and support needs of women living with metastatic breast cancer.
  
  
  METHODS
  Semi-structured qualitative interviews were conducted with 18 women. Women were asked about their experiences of living with metastatic breast cancer and their information and support needs.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Women valued relationships with their healthcare professionals, particularly their oncologists. They wanted more attention paid to side-effects of ongoing treatments, which had a negative impact on their health. While oncologists were a primary source of information, women also drew on other sources. There were mixed findings about the value of support groups, with women preferring to seek alternative sources of social support.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  A diagnosis of metastatic breast cancer brings heightened reliance on healthcare professionals to respond to women's needs in a way that is different to that required with a diagnosis of early breast cancer.
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: sophie.lewis@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sophie
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Lewis
authors.affiliation: Breast Cancer Research Group, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: jasmine.yee@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Jasmine
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Yee
authors.affiliation: Discipline of Physiotherapy, Faculty of Health Sciences, University of Sydney, Australia. Electronic address: sharon.kilbreath@sydney.edu.au.
authors.forename: Sharon
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Kilbreath
authors.affiliation: Faculty of Health Sciences, Australian Catholic University, Postal Address: Locked Bag 4115, Fitzroy, Vic, 3065, Australia. Electronic address: karen.willis@acu.edu.au.
authors.forename: Karen
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Willis
mesh_terms: D000223:Adaptation, Psychological; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D001294:Attitude to Health; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000473:pathology / Q000523:psychology* / Q000628:therapy; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007407:Interviews as Topic; D008875:Middle Aged; D020380:Needs Assessment; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D012944:Social Support
keywords: Breast cancer; Healthcare; Metastatic; Qualitative research; Social support