Patient-provider communication and hormonal therapy side effects in breast cancer survivors.
Side effects from hormonal therapy (HT) for breast cancer treatment occur frequently and are associated with worse quality of life and HT non-adherence. Whether improved patient-physician communication is associated with patients' reporting of side effects is unknown. We undertook this study to assess factors associated with women's reports of HT side effects. Between December 2012 and April 2013, we conducted a cross-sectional survey of breast cancer patients undergoing HT in an urban medical center. Descriptive statistics, univariate analyses, and multivariate analyses were used to evaluate associations. Of the 100 participants, 67% reported having HT side effects. However, when prompted, an additional 9% reported experiencing specific HT-related symptoms. Despite very high communication scores, one-third of participants reported they had not discussed side effects with providers. Multivariate analysis showed that after controlling for age, education, race, and medication beliefs, women who had difficulty asking providers for more information were more likely to report side effects (odds ratio 8.27, 95% confidence interval 1.01-69.88). Although HT side effects often occur and are bothersome, patient-provider discussions about side effects remain suboptimal. Providers should actively ask patients about medication side effects so that they can be addressed to improve quality of life and potentially, medication adherence.
a Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA.
Jenny J
JJ
Lin
a Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA.
Jennifer
J
Chao
a Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA.|b Department of Population Health and Policy , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA.
Nina A
NA
Bickell
a Division of General Internal Medicine, Department of Medicine , Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai , New York , New York , USA.
Juan P
JP
Wisnivesky
D000046:Academic Medical Centers; D000328:Adult; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal / Q000009:adverse effects*; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors / Q000008:administration & dosage / Q000009:adverse effects*; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000188:drug therapy* / Q000401:mortality / Q000523:psychology; D000073116:Cancer Survivors; D003142:Communication; D064420:Drug-Related Side Effects and Adverse Reactions; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D011788:Quality of Life; D014505:Urban Population
D018931:Antineoplastic Agents, Hormonal; D047072:Aromatase Inhibitors
Breast cancer; hormonal therapy; patient-provider communication; side effects