Abstract P1-11-23: Patient care in breast cancer: Unmet and fulfilled needs
Authors: Simon H , Viguier J , Naman H , Touboul C , Lhomel C , Ganem G , Eisinger F , Morère J-F 
Published: May 2019

Background Comprehensive cancer care uses complementary approaches alongside specific anticancer therapy. Using a dedicated questionnaire, the Calista 2 national survey sought to assess the importance of supportive care and activities among breast cancer (BC) patients, how often these services are made available, the uptake rate, and the proportion of unmet needs.

Methods Of the 82 physicians who accepted to take part in the survey, 29 recruited 257 patients with BC of whom 210 answered the patient-reported questionnaire. Patients meeting the inclusion criteria were adult females already on specific therapy for early or advanced BC. The patient-reported questionnaires covered drug management of pain, fatigue, adverse events (AE), sleep disorders, social and psychological support, physical activities, and complementary and alternative medicines. Items were rated on a scale of 0 – 10. Questionnaires were collected between September 2016 and October 2017.

Results After exclusion of non-valid patient questionnaires, 197 were analyzed. The mean age of these patients was 56.8 years (SD 12.6); 53% had early stage disease and 41% advanced stage disease. Patients perceived the management of AE and pain, and self-image improvement techniques as the three most important items (8.0, 7.5, 6.7, respectively), followed by physical activity (6.3) and the management of fatigue (6.0), while preservation of fertility (2.3), spiritual support (2.5), counselling with regards to employment (3.2), and art therapy (3.3) were the least important. Most facilities were available at the point of care. Physicians frequently suggested management AE and pain (83% and 73%, respectively), self-image improvement techniques (73%) and psychological support for the patient (70%). Management of fatigue was however far less frequently proposed (30%). Management of AE (75%) and pain (60%), and self-image improvement (50%) were the most widely used support techniques. Only 19% of patients who were offered support in the management of fatigue declared actually using it. The management of fatigue nevertheless represented one of the three main unmet needs (for 27% of patients), together with complementary medicines (37%) and relaxation (29%).

Conclusion These key findings highlight the fact that support for the management of AE and pain, together with self-image improvement techniques, are important for patients, are available, suggested and used. Although management of fatigue is available, it is rarely suggested by physicians and is therefore seen by patients as an unmet need. Patients also expressed the need for complementary medicines and relaxation techniques; these are however less frequently available at the point of care and seldom proposed.

Citation Format: Simon H, Viguier J, Naman H, Touboul C, Lhomel C, Ganem G, Eisinger F, Morère J-F. Patient care in breast cancer: Unmet and fulfilled needs [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the 2018 San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium; 2018 Dec 4-8; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2019;79(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-11-23.