title: French women's representations and experiences of the post-treatment management of breast cancer and their perception of the general practitioner's role in follow-up care: A qualitative study.
abstract: In France, the Cancer Plan II 2009-2013 was launched to improve post-cancer management and promote greater involvement of general practitioners (GPs) in follow-up care.
  
  
  
  We investigated how women experienced the post-treatment management of breast cancer and perceived the role of the GP in follow-up care.
  
  
  
  We conducted a qualitative study based on semi-structured interviews with women with breast cancer in remission. The interviews were transcribed and analysed in accordance with the principles of thematic analysis.
  
  
  
  We interviewed 21 patients aged between 30 and 86. Eighteen breast cancer survivors were recruited from GP practices and five from a patients' association.
  
  
  
  Four themes emerged from the thematic analysis: that breast cancer is a life-changing event; how patients managed the effects of treatment; how patients viewed the future; and patients' expectations of their GP.
  
  
  
  French survivors of breast cancer perceived the physical changes caused by their illness to impact their womanhood, leading to difficulties with sexual relations, a diminished sense of self and fears for the future. They felt abandoned at the end of treatment and desired support. They appreciated the ease of contacting their GP but considered follow-up care outside their remit. They agreed to be followed up by their GP, provided that they co-operated closely with a cancer specialist. This is in accordance with the French Cancer Plan II 2009-2013, which recommends greater involvement of GPs in a monitoring protocol shared with cancer specialists.
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|EA 7280 NPsy-Sydo, University of Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Catherine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Laporte
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Julie
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Vaure
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Anne
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Bottet
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Bénédicte
authors.initials: B
authors.lastname: Eschalier
authors.affiliation: Maison des Sciences de l'Homme, Blaise Pascal University, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Clémentine
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Raineau
authors.affiliation: Service de Chirurgie Digestive, Unité d'Oncologie-UMR Unité Inserm/Université d'Auvergne U1071, University Hospital, Clermont-Ferrand-Hôpital d'Estaing, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Denis
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Pezet
authors.affiliation: Department of General Medicine, Faculty of Medicine of Clermont-Ferrand, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.|PEPRADE (Périnatalité, grossesse, Environnement, PRAtiques médicales et DEveloppement), Clermont Université, Université d'Auvergne, Clermont-Ferrand, France.
authors.forename: Philippe
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Vorilhon
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D000359:Aftercare / Q000379:methods*; D000368:Aged; D000369:Aged, 80 and over; D001943:Breast Neoplasms / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D005602:France; D058005:General Practitioners / Q000706:statistics & numerical data*; D006801:Humans; D008875:Middle Aged; D010817:Physician-Patient Relations; D036301:Qualitative Research; D017741:Survivors / Q000523:psychology*
keywords: breast cancer survivors; general practitioner; post-treatment follow-up; qualitative research