Patterns of Sequelae in Women with a History of Localized Breast Cancer: Results from the French VICAN Survey

Abstract

Breast cancer (BC) remains complex for women both physically and psychologically. The objectives of this study were to (1) assess the evolution of the main sequelae and treatment two and five years after diagnosis in women with early-stage breast cancer, (2) explore patterns of sequelae associated with given sociodemographic, clinical, and lifestyle factors. The current analysis was based on 654 localized BC patients enrolled in the French nationwide longitudinal survey “vie après cancer” VICAN (January–June 2010). Information about study participants was collected at enrollment, two and five years after diagnosis. Changes over time of the main sequelae were analyzed and latent class analysis was performed to identify patterns of sequelae related to BC five years after diagnosis. The mean age (±SD) of study participants at inclusion was 49.7 (±10.5) years old. Six main classes of sequelae were identified two years and five years post-diagnosis (functional, pain, esthetic, fatigue, psychological, and gynecological). A significant decrease was observed for fatigue (p = 0.03) and an increase in cognitive sequelae was reported (p = 0.03). Two latent classes were identified—functional and esthetic patterns. Substantial sequelae remain up to five years after BC diagnosis. Changes in patient care pathways are needed to identify BC patients at a high risk.

Burden of late effects in a nationwide sample of long‐term breast cancer survivors

“…Delrieu et al found an association between decreased physical activity compared with prediagnosis and higher symptom burden, but no association between BMI and symptom burden in 5-year BCSs. 38 The association between higher BMI and high symptom burden is however reported in another study of BCSs 1-5 years after diagnosis. 13 Higher BMI has also been associated with several of the LEs studied separately including pain, fatigue, and arm problems, 36,37,39 as has physical inactivity with fatigue.…”

“…Delrieu et al. found an association between decreased physical activity compared with prediagnosis and higher symptom burden, but no association between BMI and symptom burden in 5‐year BCSs 38 . The association between higher BMI and high symptom burden is however reported in another study of BCSs 1‐5 years after diagnosis 13 .…”

Effectiveness of a self-management mobile app on the quality of life of women with breast cancer: a study in a developing country

“…Breast cancer and its treatment have a huge effect on the psychological, social, emotional, and physical well-being of women with breast cancer [9]. The breast cancer treatment plan includes surgery, chemotherapy, radiation therapy, and hormonal therapy based on the stage of a cancer diagnosis for each patient [10]. In addition, breast cancer therapies have been linked with physical side effects such as a feeling of weakness and fatigue, appetite loss, hair loss, sore mouth, vomiting and nausea, and infertility [11,12].…”

Digital phenotyping in young breast cancer patients treated with neoadjuvant chemotherapy (the NeoFit Trial): protocol for a national, multicenter single-arm trial

“…BC patients may experience long- and short-term complications and sequelae due to treatment or the disease itself, including alterations to quality of life, body composition, physical fitness and physical activity levels, heart rate, sleep and fatigue [ 16 – 20 ]. Lower levels of physical activity have also been reported to have a negative effect on quality of life and the risk of cancer recurrence [ 21 – 25 ].…”