Antonia Pearson1,2, Haryana M Dhillon3, Belinda E Kiely4. 1. Sydney Medical School, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. Antonia.pearson@sydney.edu.au. 2. Bill Walsh Laboratory, Kolling Institute, Level 8, Reserve Road, St Leonards, NSW, 2065, Australia. Antonia.pearson@sydney.edu.au. 3. Centre for Medical Psychology and Evidence-Based Decision-Making, School of Psychology, Faculty of Science, The University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia. 4. NHMRC Clinical Trials Centre, University of Sydney, Camperdown, NSW, Australia.
Abstract
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to improve understanding of health professional knowledge and management of genitourinary symptoms (GUS) in women with early breast cancer (EBC). METHODS: A survey was sent to 872 health professionals caring for women with EBC. Questions addressed most common GUS seen, experience treating GUS, and attitudes to treatment options. RESULTS: 144 surveys were completed. Respondent characteristics: median age 50 years; 76% female; 42% medical oncologists; 24% nurses; 20% breast surgeons; 8% radiation oncologists. Most (68%) reported prescribing endocrine therapies for EBC, 99% were aware endocrine therapies can cause GUS, and 55% reported "often" or "always" asking patients on endocrine therapy if they have GUS. Respondents thought vaginal dryness was the most bothersome symptom for their patients (66%), followed by dyspareunia (11%). 81% of respondents reported seeing women stop endocrine therapy prematurely due to GUS. Respondents reported receiving "none" (19%) or "a little" (46%) training or education in managing GUS and only 16% reported feeling "very confident" managing GUS. The proportions of respondents reporting "often" and "very often" recommending the following vaginal treatments were: lubricants (81%); moisturisers (68%); oestrogens (21%); and laser (3%). Vaginal oestrogens were considered "safe" or "probably safe" by 77% and 90% of respondents for women with hormone receptor positive and negative EBC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite health professionals frequently encountering GUS in women with EBC and seeing patients stop endocrine therapies prematurely, only 16% felt confident managing these symptoms. Education and training for health professionals are needed to better address this common problem.
OBJECTIVES: We aimed to improve understanding of health professional knowledge and management of genitourinary symptoms (GUS) in women with early breast cancer (EBC). METHODS: A survey was sent to 872 health professionals caring for women with EBC. Questions addressed most common GUS seen, experience treating GUS, and attitudes to treatment options. RESULTS: 144 surveys were completed. Respondent characteristics: median age 50 years; 76% female; 42% medical oncologists; 24% nurses; 20% breast surgeons; 8% radiation oncologists. Most (68%) reported prescribing endocrine therapies for EBC, 99% were aware endocrine therapies can cause GUS, and 55% reported "often" or "always" asking patients on endocrine therapy if they have GUS. Respondents thought vaginal dryness was the most bothersome symptom for their patients (66%), followed by dyspareunia (11%). 81% of respondents reported seeing women stop endocrine therapy prematurely due to GUS. Respondents reported receiving "none" (19%) or "a little" (46%) training or education in managing GUS and only 16% reported feeling "very confident" managing GUS. The proportions of respondents reporting "often" and "very often" recommending the following vaginal treatments were: lubricants (81%); moisturisers (68%); oestrogens (21%); and laser (3%). Vaginal oestrogens were considered "safe" or "probably safe" by 77% and 90% of respondents for women with hormone receptor positive and negative EBC, respectively. CONCLUSIONS: Despite health professionals frequently encountering GUS in women with EBC and seeing patients stop endocrine therapies prematurely, only 16% felt confident managing these symptoms. Education and training for health professionals are needed to better address this common problem.
Authors: Sasha Mazzarello; Brian Hutton; Mohammed F K Ibrahim; Carmel Jacobs; Risa Shorr; Stephanie Smith; Terry Ng; Mark Clemons Journal: Breast Cancer Res Treat Date: 2015-05-24 Impact factor: 4.872
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Authors: Nicoletta Biglia; Valentina E Bounous; Luca G Sgro; Marta D'Alonzo; Silvia Pecchio; Rossella E Nappi Journal: Clin Breast Cancer Date: 2015-06-18 Impact factor: 3.225