Abstract 7343: Factors associated with self-reported fatigue among long-term metastatic breast cancer survivors
Authors: Chloe M. Hery, Juan Peng, Ashley Pariser Davenport, Michelle J. Naughton
Journal: Cancer Research (2025)

Abstract Purpose: Fatigue is one of the most often reported symptoms among breast cancer patients and affects patients’ quality of life and emotional and physical functioning. This study aimed to examine the association between self-reported fatigue and sociodemographic, clinical, and psychosocial factors among metastatic breast cancer (MBC) survivors. Methods: 232 patients from the Ohio State University Stefanie Spielman Comprehensive Breast Center, who had been diagnosed with MBC for ≥1 year, were asked to complete a one-time, online survey. The survey assessed the patients’ quality of life, self-rated health, symptoms, supportive care needs, and reflections on their cancer diagnosis and treatment. Participants were asked to rate their level of fatigue in the past 7 days on a scale of 0 (no fatigue) to 10 (very severe fatigue). A multivariate generalized linear model (GLM) was used to determine the sociodemographic (age, race, education, income, rural/urban residency), psychosocial (self-rated health, quality of life, social support, sleep quality, anxiety), and clinical factors (time since diagnosis, treatment types, pain, symptoms) associated with patients’ fatigue. Results: Patients were on average 59.6 years old (±12.7) and 5.3 (±4.8) years from their diagnosis with MBC. Most were non-Hispanic and white (91%), approximately half had a college education (51.7%), and over a quarter resided in rural counties (28%). The results indicated that overall, 53% rated their quality of life as very good or excellent. The patients’ average level of fatigue was 4.3 points (±2.4) out of 10 points possible. In multivariate models, self-rated quality of life, pain, and sleep quality were significantly associated with fatigue after controlling for age, time since diagnosis, self-rated health, education level, rural/urban residency, and treatment type (oral therapy only vs. IV therapy). Higher quality of life (β=-0.35, p=0.0003) and better sleep quality (β=-0.14, p=0.02) were associated with lower levels of fatigue. In contrast, higher levels of pain were associated with greater fatigue (β=0.37, p&amp;lt;0.0001). Conclusions: Understanding and treating the long-term symptoms and unique experiences of MBC survivors is important in improving their quality of life and long-term survival. Fatigue does not necessarily resolve after treatments have concluded and MBC patients are often on treatment for long periods of time. Addressing methods to improve patients’ sleep quality and pain levels may improve their fatigue and quality of life and alleviate the symptom burden experienced by these patients. Citation Format: Chloe M. Hery, Juan Peng, Ashley Pariser Davenport, Michelle J. Naughton. Factors associated with self-reported fatigue among long-term metastatic breast cancer survivors [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the American Association for Cancer Research Annual Meeting 2025; Part 1 (Regular Abstracts); 2025 Apr 25-30; Chicago, IL. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2025;85(8_Suppl_1):Abstract nr 7343.