Quality of Life and Treatment-Related Side Effects in Patients With HR+/HER2− Advanced Breast Cancer: Findings From a Multicountry Survey

• Published in: The oncologist (Dayton, Ohio) Vol. 28; no. 10; pp. 856 - 865
• Main Authors: Cardoso, Fatima, Rihani, Julie, Harmer, Victoria, Harbeck, Nadia, Casas, Ana, Rugo, Hope S, Fasching, Peter A, Moore, Adam, de Courcy, Joanna, Pathak, Purnima, Haftchenary, Sina, Aubel, Dawn, Schumacher-Wulf, Eva
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: US Oxford University Press 01.10.2023
• Subjects: Analysis; Antimitotic agents; Antineoplastic agents; Breast Cancer; Care and treatment; Complications and side effects; Diagnosis; Dosage and administration; Health aspects; Physician and patient; Quality of life; United States; survey; physician/patient communication; qualitative research; quality of life; advanced breast cancer
• ISSN: 1083-7159; 1549-490X
• DOI: 10.1093/oncolo/oyad207

Abstract Background Quality of life (QOL) is a critical factor in decision-making for advanced breast cancer (ABC). There is a need to improve how QOL and treatment-related side effects (SEs) that impact it are clinically assessed. We examined healthcare professionals’ (HCPs’) and patients’ perspectives on the importance of QOL discussions and the impact of SEs on QOL in clinical settings. Patients and Methods A cross-sectional online survey was conducted (7/2020-5/2021) among oncologists, nurses, and patients with HR+/HER2− ABC in 7 countries. Results The survey was completed by 502 HCPs and 467 patients. Overall, 88% of oncologists and 49% of patients recalled QOL discussions at follow-up. In the first- through fourth-line (1L, 2L, 3L, and 4L) settings, respectively, 48%, 57%, 79%, and 85% of oncologists reported QOL was very important; 73% and 45% of patients receiving 1L and 2L treatment and 40% receiving 3L+ treatment indicated QOL was important. Patients reported that insomnia, anxiety, back pain, fatigue, diarrhea, hot flashes, low sexual interest, and loss of appetite had a moderate/severe impact on QOL. Of patients experiencing certain SEs, ≥64% did not discuss them with HCPs until there was a moderate/severe impact on QOL. In patients receiving a CDK4/6 inhibitor, SEs, including insomnia, diarrhea, back pain, and fatigue, had a moderate/severe impact on QOL. Conclusions This survey discovered disconnects between HCPs and patients with ABC on the importance of QOL discussions and the impact of SEs on QOL. These data support the use of ABC-specific QOL questionnaires that closely monitor SEs impacting QOL. There is a need to improve how quality of life (QOL) and the treatment-related side effects that affect QOL are clinically assessed. This article examines healthcare professionals’ and patients’ perspectives on this topic.