Uttermalm A.-C.1,2
1Mälardalens Högskola, Academy of Health, Care and Welfare, Eskilstuna, Sweden, 2Hela Kroppen Physiotherapy, Stockholm, Sweden
Background: Breast cancer is the most common cancer among women in Sweden and also worldwide. The majority of breast tumors are hormone receptor-positive and the woman is prescribed endocrine therapy for five years. Many women seek physiotherapy help for their side-effects of the treatment. Side-effects may include menopausal symptoms, or joint and muscle pain. Symptoms may be so severe that the woman chooses to end treatment early. Medical care lacks clear guidelines regarding medical treatment and rehabilitation measures for this type of side-effects.
Purpose: To increase understanding of the experiences of the side-effects of endocrine therapy for breast cancer in Sweden.
Methods: Qualitative method was used. Twelve breast cancer affected women, in two focus groups were interviewed about their experiences of side-effects of endocrine therapy. The interviews were analyzed by qualitative content analysis with an inductive approach.
Results: The results showed that women experienced a variety of physical and psychological disorders. Themes that emerged were: Altered body, Psychological impact, Fatigue, Strategies, Support of care and Importance of rehabilitation. The women lacked both support to cope with the treatment and information about its side-effects from treatment.
Conclusion(s): The results of this study showed that breast cancer-affected women, who receive endocrine therapy, experience a variety of physical and psychological disorders. They experienced impaired strength, bodily pain, fatigue, and thus impaired self efficacy. The women lacked support from medical care to recover physically and mentally and information regarding rehabilitation in breast cancer. They also lacked information about the endocrine treatment and its side effects and insufficient help in relieving the symptoms.
Implications: There is currently no guidance on the rehabilitation and treatment of side effects of endocrine therapy due to breast cancer. There is no consensus on optimal treatment and evidence of proposed therapies are active both regarding side effects of tamoxifen or AI preparations.The result of this study can provide the caregiver a deeper understanding of women with breast cancer, who experience side effects of endocrine therapy. It may improve the premise addressing this population in a better way and also develop methods that can alleviate current problems. If the caregiver can develop a better attitude and better ways to support and treat these women, this may ultimately help women manage to complete the endocrine therapy. This contributes to an extension of the time free of relapse and hence to improved cancer survival.
Funding acknowledgements: Study was financed by the Breast Cancer Foundation, Sweden and Brunetti-Jacovone Foundation.
Thanks Aina Johnsson, PHD, MSW, Karolinska hospital, Stockholm.
Thanks Aina Johnsson, PHD, MSW, Karolinska hospital, Stockholm.
Topic: Oncology, HIV & palliative care
Ethics approval: The study was approved by the Regional Ethical Review Board in Stockholm in 2013
All authors, affiliations and abstracts have been published as submitted.
