Background: Increasing rates of mastectomy, primarily bilateral mastectomy (BMx), have been most dramatic in young women with breast cancer (BC). Impact on long-term quality of life (QOL) is largely unknown. Methods: Between 10/2016-11/2017, we administered the BREAST-Q, a validated patient-reported outcomes measure, to women dx with BC at age ≤40 in a large prospective cohort study. Demographic and treatment information was obtained by surveys and chart review. Mean BREAST-Q scores for each domain (breast satisfaction, physical, psychosocial, and sexual) were compared by surgery types; higher BREAST-Q scores (range: 0-100) indicate better QOL. Linear regression was used to identify predictors of BREAST-Q domain scores. Results: 581 women with stage 0-3 BC completed the BREAST-Q a median of 5.8 years from dx. Median age at dx was 37 (range: 26-40) years; 86% had stage 0, 1 or 2 disease; 28% had breast-conserving surgery (BCS); 72% had mastectomy (Mx), among whom 72% underwent BMx and 89% had reconstruction. Mean BREAST-Q scores (unadjusted) for breast satisfaction, psychosocial, and sexual well-being were lower for patients having unilateral mastectomy (UMx) or BMx compared to BCS; physical function was similar among groups. In multivariate analysis, lower BREAST-Q psychosocial scores were associated with radiation and Mx (UMx or BMx). Lower sexual well-being scores were also associated with Mx. Lower satisfaction with breast scores following radiation were of a clinically significant magnitude (β -8.1 95% CI -11.9- -4.3, p-value 0.03). Lower scores for physical well-being were seen for patients reporting lymphedema and higher for those who had undergone surgery more than 5 years prior. Lower scores across all 4 domains were associated with reported financial distress. BREAST-Q domain mean scores (SD) BMxUMxBCSp-valueBreast satisfaction60.3 (18.9)59.5 (21.3)65.9 (20.7)0.008Physical well-being78.6 (14.9)79.7 (15.1)78.9 (15.5)0.8Psychosocial well-being68.1 (20.8)70.5 (21.2)76.1 (20.5)<0.001Sexual well-being48.6 (21.3)53.2 (21.7)57.5 (18.7)<0.001SD Standard deviation Conclusion: Local therapy in young breast cancer survivors may have a persistent impact on their breast satisfaction, psychosocial, and sexual outcomes, with particular effects from UMx or BMx. Socio-economic stressors also appear to play a role. When counseling young women about their surgical decisions, knowledge of potential long-term QOL impact is of critical importance. Citation Format: Dominici LS, Hu J, King TA, Ruddy KJ, Tamimi RM, Peppercorn J, Schapira L, Borges VF, Come SE, Warner E, Partridge AH, Rosenberg SM. Local therapy and quality of life outcomes in young women with breast cancer [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 GS6-06.
Background: Breast cancer (BC) treatment, including surgery, can impact not only short-term health outcomes but may also affect longer term health-related and psychosocial quality of life (QOL). We sought to describe the impact of BC surgery on QOL among breast cancer survivors followed in a large randomized trial. Methods: The ECOG-ACRIN protocol E5103 was a phase III trial that randomized BC patients (pts) who had undergone definitive BC surgery to receive adjuvant doxorubicin, cyclophosphamide, and paclitaxel with either bevacizumab (bev) or placebo. Telephone based surveys were administered to all pts enrolled between 01/Jan/10 and 08/Jun/10 as part of a Decision-Making/QOL component until 18 mos post enrollment. Functional/psychosocial QOL domains were assessed by the EQ-5D-3L and the FACT B+G. Fisher's exact test compared categorical and Wilcoxon rank sum test compared continuous variables between subgroups. Multivariable regression was used to evaluate factors in addition to primary surgery at enrollment (age, race, ER/PgR status, tumor size, nodal status) associated with overall FACT score at 18 mos. Results: Patient reported outcomes at 18 mos were available from 89.6% (465/519) pts. At enrollment, 57% (266/465) had a mastectomy; 43% (199/465) breast conserving surgery (BCS). Median age at enrollment was 52 (range: 25-76) years. There were no differences in QOL between bev vs placebo treatment arms (EQ-5D-3L Index Score p=0.65; FACT B+G Score p=0.23) at 18 mos so groups were combined. Using EQ-5D-3L, over half of the pts (58%) reported at least some pain/discomfort; 38% symptoms of anxiety/depression. A higher proportion of mastectomy pts reported problems with usual activities compared to BCS pts (Table). Compared to BCS pts, mastectomy pts had lower average EQ5D-3L scores 0.80 vs. 0.84, p=0.04 and FACT B+G scores 109 vs. 114, p=0.01, indicating worse QOL. In univariate analyses, non-white race (p=0.03), ER/PgR+ status (p=0.04) and mastectomy as primary surgery (p=0.01) were significantly associated with worse QOL (lower FACT B+G scores). In multivariable analyses, non-white race (p=0.02) and ER/PgR+ status (p=0.05) remained associated with worse QOL; mastectomy was borderline significant (p=0.06). Conclusions: Among women participating in a contemporary adjuvant BC chemotherapy trial, a substantial proportion of survivors experience symptoms that may be amenable to intervention, including referral to physical rehabilitation, especially among pts undergoing more extensive surgery. Attention to psychosocial health is also essential both during and after completion of active treatment to optimize QOL outcomes. N(%) reporting problems* 5 DimensionsBCSMastectomyOverallp**Mobility44(23)59(23)103(23)1.00Self-care11(6)23(9)34(7)0.21Usual activities49(25)90(34)139(30)0.04Pain/discomfort104(53)161(61)265(58)0.08Anxiety/depression70(36)105(40)175(38)0.44*3L: 3 possible answers: 1) no problems 2) some/moderate problems 3) problems; responses then collapsed into no problems vs. any problems' (=some/moderate problems and problems). ** Fisher's exact test p-value. Citation Format: Rosenberg SM, O'Neill A, Sepucha K, Miller KD, Dang CT, Northfelt DW, Sledge GW, Schneider BP, Partridge AH. The impact of breast cancer surgery on quality of life: Long term results from E5103 [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 GS6-05.
Background: Young women with breast cancer need highly effective contraception given the potential implications of unplanned pregnancy for optimal treatment, and the teratogenic risks. We sought to determine the contraceptive methods used by young women after diagnosis (dx) of breast cancer and factors associated with use of less effective methods or no contraceptive method, which confers a 6-90% annual risk of pregnancy in sexually active women in contrast to highly effective methods (risk <1%). Methods: As part of a randomized trial conducted in 54 sites to test an education and support intervention for young women with breast cancer and their oncologists, we surveyed women about their pre-dx, current, and planned contraceptive use, and about communication with their providers regarding contraception. Women enrolled within 3 months of dx; contraception items were included on 3- and 12-month post-enrollment surveys. Intrauterine device (IUD) use, tubal sterilization, hysterectomy or bilateral salpingo-oophorectomy (hyst/BSO) after dx, or male partner vasectomy were classified as highly effective methods; all other methods and non-use were categorized as less effective. We excluded women not at risk of pregnancy: hyst/BSO prior to dx, or no indication for contraception. We used logistic regression to explore factors associated with use of less effective methods. Results: Of 424 women who completed the 3-month post-enrollment survey, median age at dx was 39 (range 22-45). 312 women at risk of pregnancy were included in this analysis, including 291 reporting sexual activity with a male partner within the last 6 months, and 21 reporting no recent sexual activity but reporting use of birth control. 123 women (39%) used highly effective contraceptive methods prior to dx; after dx, 161 (52%) reported current use of or a plan to use a highly effective method. 19 women (6%) reported use of a hormonal birth control method since dx; 7 (2%) reported withdrawal as their only contraceptive method; 25 (8%) reported no contraception. 30% of women did not recall a discussion of avoiding pregnancy or need for contraception during treatment with their providers. In multivariable analyses (N=310), desire for additional biologic children (OR 7.54, 95% CI 3.88-14.66) and provider discussion of contraception and pregnancy (OR 2.13 95% CI 1.20-3.78) were associated with use of less effective contraception. Age, race/ethnicity, disease stage, and partner status were not significantly associated with use of less effective methods. Conclusion: About half of women who are at risk of pregnancy reported use or planned use of less effective contraceptive methods or no method of contraception following dx of breast cancer. Women with breast cancer and their providers may benefit from targeted education on contraceptive options and method effectiveness. Citation Format: Rosenberg SM, Dutton CR, Ligibel J, Barry W, Ruddy KJ, Sprunck-Harrild K, Emmons KM, Partridge AH. Contraception use in young women with breast cancer. [abstract]. In: Proceedings of the Thirty-Eighth Annual CTRC-AACR San Antonio Breast Cancer Symposium: 2015 Dec 8-12; San Antonio, TX. Philadelphia (PA): AACR; Cancer Res 2016;76(4 Suppl):Abstract nr P1-10-18.
Background: While younger age at diagnosis has consistently been identified as a predictor of contralateral prophylactic mastectomy (CPM), little is known about how clinical, decisional, and psychosocial factors are related to the decision to undergo CPM in young women with breast cancer. Methods: As part of an ongoing, multi-center cohort study of young women diagnosed with breast cancer at age 40 or younger, we identified 428 women with unilateral Stage I-III disease. Participants were asked to complete surveys by mail that included questions about decision-making and treatments. Tumor characteristics were ascertained via medical record review. Multinomial logistic regression was used to identify predictors of: 1) CPM vs. unilateral mastectomy (UM); 2) CPM vs. breast conserving surgery (BCS). Independent variables with a p-value ≤ 0.15 in bi-variate analyses were included in the final multivariable model. Results: 41% of women had CPM, 29% had UM and 31% had BCS. Median age at diagnosis was 37 (range: 17-40). Most women had stage I or II disease (87%), and estrogen receptor (ER) positive tumors (69%); approximately 14% were carriers of a BRCA 1 or 2 mutation. In the multivariable analysis (Table 1), having a cancer-predisposing mutation, having at least one child, anxiety as measured by the Hospital Anxiety and Depression Scale (HADS), and patient-driven decision making were all associated with a greater likelihood of undergoing CPM, while women who reported their physician made the final decision about surgery were less likely to undergo CPM, compared to both UM and BCS. Additional factors significantly associated with undergoing CPM vs. BCS included nodal involvement, Her2 positivity, and lower BMI. Race/ethnicity, marital status, tumor size, tumor grade, depression (as measured by the HADS), fear of recurrence, and having a first-degree relative with breast or ovarian cancer were not associated with undergoing CPM. Conclusion: Many young women with early stage breast cancer are choosing to undergo CPM. Our findings point to the need for improved communication with patients regarding surgical choices as well as better management of anxiety surrounding diagnosis. Interventions aimed at enhancing risk communication and encouraging shared patient-physician decision-making might be beneficial in this setting. Table 1. Factors associated with: 1) CPM vs. UM; 2) CPM vs. BCS CPM vs. UMCPM vs. BCS OR (95% CI)OR (95% CI)Age at diagnosis0.92 (0.86-1.00)0.97 (0.90-1.04)Mutation positive3.83 (1.60-9.15)14.51 (5.02-41.92)Any nodal involvement0.79 (0.45-1.38)1.93 (1.05-3.55)Her2 positivity0.71 (0.40-1.26)2.24 (1.18-4.25)Having ≥ 1 child2.08 (1.04-4.14)3.25 (1.63-6.48)BMI0.98 (0.92-1.03)0.92 (0.87-0.97)Anxiety1.93 (1.05-3.56)2.31 (1.22-4.35)Decisional involvement (ref = shared) Mainly patient's decision3.47 (1.99-6.06)3.71 (2.09-6.58)Mainly doctor's decision0.14 (0.03-0.63)0.16 (0.03-0.77) Citation Information: Cancer Res 2013;73(24 Suppl): Abstract nr P2-18-02.
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