A Qualitative Study on the Needs of Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Alfieri, Sara; Brunelli, Cinzia; Capri, Giuseppe; Caraceni, Augusto; Bianchi, Giulia; Borreani, Claudia

doi:10.1007/s13187-020-01954-4

Cited by 7 publications

(12 citation statements)

References 23 publications

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“…Thematic analysis, particularly using an inductive approach, can uncover novel insights regarding treatment and support for patients. Some concerns were common to the oncologic population, [31][32][33] but others were specific to patients with neuroinflammatory disease. For example, many clinicians-both neurologists and oncologists-raised concerns about concurrent immunosuppressive and anti-cancer therapies.…”

Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical course of multiple sclerosis and patient experiences during breast cancer treatment

et al. 2023

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Background: Over one-third of multiple sclerosis (MS) patients are post-menopausal women, the primary demographic affected by breast cancer. After breast cancer diagnosis, there is little information about patients’ clinical experiences with both diseases. Objective: Utilize a case series of MS patients diagnosed with breast cancer to characterize oncologic and MS trajectories, and generate novel insights about clinical considerations using qualitative analysis. Methods: A single-center retrospective review was performed on medical record data of patients with MS and breast cancer. Thematic analysis was used to characterize experiences with the concurrent diagnoses. Results: For the 43 patients identified, mean age was 56.7 years at cancer diagnosis and MS duration was 16.5 years. Approximately half were treated with MS disease modifying therapy at cancer diagnosis, and half of these subsequently discontinued or changed therapy. Altogether 14% experienced MS relapse(s) during follow-up (with 2 relapses in the first 2 years), with mean annualized relapse rate of 0.03. Cohort Expanded Disability Status Scale (EDSS) scores remained stable during follow-up. Qualitative insights unique to this population were identified regarding immunosuppression use and neurologic symptoms. Conclusions: MS relapses were infrequent, and there was modest progression during breast cancer treatment. Oncologic outcomes were comparable to non-MS patients with similarly staged cancer.

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Section: Discussionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Clinical course of multiple sclerosis and patient experiences during breast cancer treatment

et al. 2023

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“…Seven papers focused on metastatic BC [39][40][41][42][43][44][45]. Five focused on African American survivors [46][47][48][49][50], eleven on 'younger' survivors (e.g.…”

Section: Study Characteristicsmentioning

confidence: 99%

“…Alfieri et al 2021 [40] Italy Achieve an in-depth understanding of the patients' needs related to the metastatic BC care pathway Qualitative 9…”

Section: Theme 5: Posttraumatic Growth "To Grow From It To Heal From It"mentioning

confidence: 99%

“…It's a disappointment [Review: [37]] We feel lost, really. There is a lot of information missing-information about knowing what to do, where to call [Paper: [60]] Survivors also noted a need for relevant information, empathy and support from health services, otherwise they felt dismissed, unsupported and alone [Reviews: [36,37]; Papers: [40,46,51,68,72,82,84,85,90,91,97,105]]. I wished that my pain at home was followed up much more [Review: [37]]…”

Section: Feeling Alone; Lack Of Information and Supportmentioning

confidence: 99%

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Psychosocial experiences of breast cancer survivors: a meta-review

Butow

Giunta

et al. 2023

J Cancer Surviv

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Purpose Advances in breast cancer care have led to a high rate of survivorship. This meta-review (systematic review of reviews) assesses and synthesises the voluminous qualitative survivorship evidence-base, providing a comprehensive overview of the main themes regarding breast cancer survivorship experiences, and areas requiring further investigation. Methods Sixteen breast cancer reviews identified by a previous mixed cancer survivorship meta-review were included, with additional reviews published between 1998 and 2020, and primary papers published after the last comprehensive systematic review between 2018 and 2020, identified via database searches (MEDLINE, Embase, CINAHL, PsycINFO). Quality was assessed using the Joanna Briggs Institute Critical Appraisal Checklist for Systematic Reviews and the CASP (Critical Appraisal Skills Programme Qualitative) checklist for primary studies. A meta-ethnographic approach was used to synthesise data. Results Of 1673 review titles retrieved, 9 additional reviews were eligible (25 reviews included in total). Additionally, 76 individual papers were eligible from 2273 unique papers. Reviews and studies commonly focused on specific survivorship groups (including those from ethnic minorities, younger/older, or with metastatic/advanced disease), and topics (including return to work). Eight themes emerged: (1) Ongoing impact and search for normalcy, (2) Uncertainty, (3) Identity: Loss and change, (4) Isolation and being misunderstood, (5) Posttraumatic growth, (6) Return to work, (7) Quality of care, and (8) Support needs and coping strategies. Conclusions Breast cancer survivors continue to face challenges and require interventions to address these. Implications for Cancer Survivors. Breast cancer survivors may need to prepare for ongoing psychosocial challenges in survivorship and proactively seek support to overcome these.

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“…Previous qualitative studies suggest that women are both unprepared to experience persistent pain and are dissatisfied with pain management information provided by their healthcare providers ( 17 , 18 ). Despite increased access to health information from a variety of sources, including the internet ( 19 , 20 ), healthcare providers remain an essential source of information, guidance and reassurance to patients ( 17 ). The majority of the available literature comes however from the United States and European countries, which have vastly different healthcare systems, cultures, and languages.…”

Section: Introductionmentioning

confidence: 99%

Exploring women's experiences with persistent pain and pain management following breast cancer treatment: A qualitative study

Smith

Manning²,

Nielsen³

et al. 2023

Front. Pain Res.

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This qualitative study aimed to explore experiences of women with persistent pain following breast cancer treatment, including their perceptions about the cause of their pain, how they manage their pain and their interactions with healthcare providers related to their pain during and following breast cancer treatment. Fourteen women who experienced pain for more than 3 months following breast cancer treatment were recruited from the general breast cancer survivorship community. Focus groups and in-depth, semi-structured interviews were conducted by one interviewer, audio-recorded, and transcribed verbatim. Transcripts were coded and analysed using Framework Analysis. Three main descriptive themes emerged from the interview transcripts: (1) characteristics of pain, (2) interactions with healthcare providers and (3) pain management. Women had various types and degrees of persistent pain, all of which they believed were related to breast cancer treatment. Most felt like they were not given enough information pre- or post-treatment and believed their experience and ability to cope with pain would have been better if they were given accurate information and advice about (the possibility of) experiencing persistent pain. Pain management strategies ranged from trial and error approaches, to pharmacotherapy, and to ‘just coping with the pain”. These findings highlight the importance of the provision of empathetic supportive care before, during and after cancer treatment that can facilitate access to relevant information, multidisciplinary care teams (including allied health professionals) and consumer support.

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A Qualitative Study on the Needs of Women with Metastatic Breast Cancer

Cited by 7 publications

References 23 publications

Clinical course of multiple sclerosis and patient experiences during breast cancer treatment

Clinical course of multiple sclerosis and patient experiences during breast cancer treatment

Psychosocial experiences of breast cancer survivors: a meta-review

Exploring women's experiences with persistent pain and pain management following breast cancer treatment: A qualitative study

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