Living with advanced breast cancer: development and application of a clinical checklist for patients on endocrine therapy

Patient-reported outcome use in oncology: a systematic review of the impact on patient-clinician communication

PURPOSE

Patient-reported outcomes (PROs) are an increasingly popular tool to optimize care and bridge the gap between patient experience and clinician understanding. The aim of this review was to identify mechanisms through which PROs facilitate patient-clinician communication in the adult oncology population.

METHODS

We conducted a systematic review of the published literature using the following data sources: MEDLINE, EMBASE, CINAHL, PsycINFO, Cab Direct, and CDSR. Studies included in this review reported on the outcomes of PRO use, used PROs as an intervention and not as a study outcome measurement tool, included cancer patients or survivors as study participants, and analyzed patient-clinician communication.

RESULTS

We identified 610 unique records, of which 43 publications met the inclusion and exclusion criteria. Synthesis of the reviewed studies provided evidence of the usefulness of PROs in facilitating patient-clinician communication on a variety of topics. We identified mechanisms though which PROs influenced patient-clinician communication to include increasing symptom awareness, prompting discussion, streamlining consultations, and facilitating inter-professional communication. Barriers to PRO use in communication improvement include technical problems impeding its administration and completion, compliance issues due to lack of incentive or forgetfulness, and use of PROs that do not appropriately assess issues relevant to the patient. Facilitators include increased education on PRO use, using PRO tools that patients find more acceptable, and providing patient data summaries in an easily accessible format for clinicians.

CONCLUSIONS

Our review suggests that PROs facilitate patient-clinician communication through various mechanisms that could perhaps contribute to improvements in symptom management and survival. The impact of PROs on clinical outcomes, however, remains poorly studied.

Multivariate methods to identify cancer-related symptom clusters

Multivariate methods are required to assess the interrelationships among multiple, concurrent symptoms. We examined the conceptual and contextual appropriateness of commonly used multivariate methods for cancer symptom cluster identification. From 178 publications identified in an online database search of Medline, CINAHL, and PsycINFO, limited to articles published in English, 10 years prior to March 2007, 13 cross-sectional studies met the inclusion criteria. Conceptually, common factor analysis (FA) and hierarchical cluster analysis (HCA) are appropriate for symptom cluster identification, not principal component analysis. As a basis for new directions in symptom management, FA methods are more appropriate than HCA. Principal axis factoring or maximum likelihood factoring, the scree plot, oblique rotation, and clinical interpretation are recommended approaches to symptom cluster identification.

Endocrine symptom assessment in women with breast cancer: what a simple “yes” means

GOALS OF WORK

To investigate the self-reported symptoms related to endocrine therapy in women with early or advanced breast cancer and the impact of these symptoms on quality of life (QL) indicators.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Symptom occurrence was assessed by the Checklist for Patients on Endocrine Therapy (C-PET) and symptom intensity was assessed by linear analogue self-assessment (LASA) indicators. Patients also responded to global LASA indicators for physical well-being, mood, coping effort and treatment burden. Associations between symptoms and these indicators were analysed by linear regression models.

MAIN RESULTS

Among 373 women, the distribution of symptom intensity showed considerable variation in patients reporting a symptom as present. Even though patients recorded a symptom as absent, some patients reported having experienced that symptom when responding to symptom intensity, as seen for decreased sex drive, tiredness and vaginal dryness. Six of 13 symptoms and lower age had a detrimental impact on the global indicators, particularly tiredness and irritability.

CONCLUSIONS

Patients' experience of endocrine symptoms needs to be considered both in patient care and research, when interpreting the association between symptoms and QL.

Fatigue and menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer undergoing hormonal cancer treatment

BACKGROUND

Hormonal treatment for women with breast cancer is frequently proposed in the adjuvant as well as in the palliative setting. Therefore, many women are confronted with early menopause and prolonged oestrogen deprivation and consequently with a variety of quality of life issues, such as menopausal symptoms and fatigue.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

It was the aim of this study to explore the occurrence and frequency of menopausal symptoms in women with breast cancer, undergoing hormonal cancer treatment and to investigate their relationship with fatigue. A cross-sectional, quantitative approach was used in this multi-centre study. The Checklist for Patients with Endocrine Therapy (C-PET) and the International Breast Cancer Study Group (IBCSG) Linear Analogue Scales for patients with endocrine treatment were used. Descriptive statistics, as well as cluster analyses were performed.

RESULTS

Most frequent menopausal symptoms involved hot flashes/sweats, tiredness, weight gain, vaginal dryness and decreased sexual interest. There were significant differences between the fatigued and the non-fatigued population regarding the intensity of menopausal symptoms, emotional irritability and general coping. Cluster analyses supported a menopausal symptom cluster.

CONCLUSIONS

Fatigue accompanies menopausal symptoms and an association can be expected. Methods for routine screening for menopausal symptoms, including fatigue, are suggested as a relevant research issue in women with breast cancer undergoing hormonal treatment.

Breast cancer patients' experiences on endocrine therapy: monitoring with a checklist for patients on endocrine therapy (C-PET)

Women with hormone responsive breast cancer routinely receive endocrine therapy. There is growing evidence that patients experience significant side effects. Between 1996 and 1998, all patients on endocrine therapy for adjuvant or advanced breast cancer, attending the Edinburgh Breast Unit, were invited to complete a checklist for patients on endocrine therapy. This simple form, designed as a communication aid, was completed by patients before their consultation. 708 patients (age 28-93) completed 1060 forms. These forms were analysed in order to gain a better understanding of the side effects experienced. Most patients were on tamoxifen (n = 524), with 103 on anastrazole and 35 on megestrol acetate. Common symptoms experienced were hot flushes, sweats and weight gain. Symptoms varied according to the patients' ages and the setting in which they received endocrine treatment. Pre-menopausal women were more likely to experience problems with flushes, sweats, weight gain and reduced libido.

Management of the menopause in cancer survivors

The consequences of premature menopause are of great importance to cancer survivors. Oestrogen replacement therapy (with and without added progestins) is the most extensively researched agent for the treatment and prevention of menopausal problems. While this may be appropriate for symptom control in patients with tumours that are not hormone responsive, patients with hormone dependent tumours will require safe and effective alternative treatments for menopausal symptoms. This paper will discuss both the short-term and long-term consequences of the menopause in cancer survivors and will also offer various management strategies.

The impact of endocrine therapy on patients with breast cancer: a review of the literature

This paper reviews studies which have examined the impact of endocrine therapy on the quality of life (QOL) of patients with breast cancer. In patients with primary disease, published studies suggest that endocrine therapies, such as tamoxifen, significantly increase both gynaecological and vasomotor symptoms. However, few studies have been able to demonstrate the impact which these symptoms have on patients' QOL. This failure can be partially attributed to a range of methodological problems. Psychosocial research in advanced disease has largely consisted of randomized controlled studies with QOL as one of several study endpoints. Second generation treatments, such as aromatase inhibitors, have frequently been compared with older treatments, such as progestin therapies. Unfortunately, QOL data reported in these studies have tended to be fairly limited. Problems with existing QOL research in endocrine treatment are discussed and recommendations are made for further work.

Tolerability of hormone therapies for breast cancer: how informative are documented symptom profiles in medical notes for 'well-tolerated' treatments?

Hormonal therapies for cancer are often viewed as a gentler option than many other cancer treatments, but is low toxicity an accurate perception of patients' experiences? Side effects tend to be described as minimal or well tolerated, yet published symptoms from hormonal therapy vary considerably in their descriptions and frequencies. Previous research has highlighted under-reporting of side effects by clinical staff so as part of a wider study examining tamoxifen and goserelin treatment as adjuvant therapy for breast cancer, treatment-related symptoms documented in medical notes were compared with those that patients reported during a research interview. There was a significant difference in the frequency of many side effects reported by the two methods in this study. Sixty four out of 72 (89%) women who had received adjuvant tamoxifen or goserelin had side effects recorded in their medical notes, compared with 74/75 (99%) reporting side effects at interview. We compared the published frequencies of commonly reported symptoms with those found ourselves. The discrepancies between patient-reported and clinician-recorded (usually from clinical trial data) symptom profiles were similar to those found in our study. Without accurate comprehensive side effect profiles for hormone therapies, prospective patients cannot make informed judgements on proposed treatments.

Evaluation of the chemotherapy patient monitor: an interactive tool for facilitating communication between patients and oncologists during the cancer consultation

Effective communication between oncologists and patients with cancer is of paramount importance. The Chemotherapy Patient Monitor (CPM) is a novel tool designed to assist doctor-patient communication regarding patient concerns and side-effects. Initially, the CPM was assessed in a primary evaluation study of its use during consultations with 26 patients with advanced colorectal cancer (one consultation without, followed by two with, the CPM per patient). This led to a further dissemination/audit of 34 patients attending oncology centres in the UK, who had completed the survey prior to three consultations. The CPM contains a checklist of common side-effects of chemotherapy regimens used in advanced colorectal cancer, and other common concerns of patients with advanced colorectal cancer. The CPM records the presence of side-effects/concerns, the distress caused, whether patients wish to discuss them further, and actions taken as a result. Questionnaires explored the views of patients and oncologists in the UK and Spain regarding the effectiveness of consultations during a baseline visit conducted without the CPM, and then with the CPM in subsequent visits. These data were then complemented by the dissemination/audit study of the CPM across nine centres in the UK. All patients understood the CPM. The CPM was rated as useful by oncologists in 83% of consultations, and did not lengthen 82% of visits. Patients felt it had improved the visit in 95% of cases. Responses from patients (100%) and oncologists (84%) indicated willingness to use the CPM for at least some consultations in the future. The results of the dissemination/audit study supported these conclusions. We conclude that the CPM appears to be a useful new tool for improving patient-doctor communication during cancer consultations.

An innovative approach to clinical communication in schizophrenia: the approaches to schizophrenia communication checklists

Side effects from antipsychotic medications can have a profound effect on patients' lives and may adversely affect their willingness to comply with treatment. Identification of side effects through improved communication between psychiatrists, other members of the healthcare team, and their patients might increase treatment compliance. The Approaches to Schizophrenia Communication (ASC) Steering Group developed two simple, practical checklists for use in the busy clinical setting. The ASC-Self-Report (ASC-SR) checklist is completed by the patient and comprises a list of the more common or clinically important side effects of antipsychotic treatment. The ASC-Clinic (ASC-C) checklist is completed by both clinician and patient together, being used as the basis for a semi-structured interview. In a multicenter pilot study set up to evaluate the utility of checklists, 86% of patients responding considered the ASC-SR to be useful in communicating their problems to psychiatrists and other members of the healthcare team. All healthcare team respondents found both checklists to be helpful when discussing side effect problems with their patients. Moreover, 41% and 47% of healthcare team respondents reported that the ASC-SR and ASC-C, respectively, had assisted them in identifying side-effect problems not previously acknowledged. Preliminary evaluation of the ASC-SR and ASC-C in this multicenter pilot study suggests that both tools were user-friendly, encouraged communication between patients and healthcare professionals about antipsychotic drug side effects, and could readily integrated into everyday clinical practice.

Tamoxifen for the prevention of breast cancer: psychosocial impact on women participating in two randomized controlled trials

PURPOSE

The purpose of this study was to evaluate the psychosocial implications of tamoxifen versus placebo in women who are at increased risk of breast cancer.

PATIENTS AND METHODS

The 488 women in the psychosocial study were recruited from participants in two placebo-controlled, double-blind, randomized, controlled trials that investigated the efficacy of tamoxifen in the prevention of breast cancer in women who are at high familial risk. During a 5-year period, repeated assessments were made of anxiety, psychological distress, and sexual functioning using standardized questionnaires before treatment at baseline and at 6-month intervals during the trial.

RESULTS

Questionnaire completion over 5 years was good, with 71.1% of women returning at least 8 of 10 follow-up assessments. Although scores from individuals showed considerable fluctuation and variation over time, changes in anxiety, mood, and sexual functioning were not associated with treatment group. The number of symptoms reported at 48 months via a self-report checklist were not associated with treatment group, but vasomotor symptoms were more frequent among tamoxifen-treated women. Symptoms of low energy, breast sensitivity, and visual blurring were reported most frequently in the placebo group.

CONCLUSION

In general, these results are comparable to those from the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project psychosocial study despite differences in study populations, methodology, and instruments. The long-term use of tamoxifen and other selective estrogen response modulators as preventive agents in high-risk groups has been questioned, but we found no evidence of treatment-related side effects that affect women's psychosocial and sexual functioning.

Which side effects really matter? Screening for common and distressing side effects of antipsychotic medications

As a class, the newer antipsychotics are less likely to cause EPS but continue to have a range of other, non-EPS, side effects. Most standardized scales for side effects of antipsychotics emphasize the physical findings of the motor abnormalities of extrapyramidal symptoms (EPS). There is a need for screening instruments that include both EPS and non-EPS side effects. This article discusses the development of a screening instrument called the Approaches to Schizophrenia Communication (ASC). Initially derived from other subjective screening measures, the ASC was specifically designed to address the following issues pertaining to side effect evaluation of antipsychotics: 1) to cover all common and distressing side effects from antipsychotics, not just EPS, and 2) to screen for perceived distress, rather than the objective severity of the side effect. These two characteristics of the ASC make it possible for it to be given directly to the patient (the ASC Self-Report Version) or to be administered by mental health clinicians who do not have to be extensively trained in side-effect assessments (the ASC Clinician Interview version).

Assessment of quality of life in women undergoing hormonal therapy for breast cancer: validation of an endocrine symptom subscale for the FACT-B

Existing quality of life instruments do not include adequate items to measure the side effects and putative benefits of hormonal treatments given in breast cancer. We report the development and validation of an 18 item endocrine subscale (ES) to accompany a standardised breast cancer quality of life measure, the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy (FACT-B). The FACT-ES (FACT-B plus ES) was tested initially on 268 women with breast cancer receiving endocrine treatments. Alpha coefficients for all subscales demonstrated good internal consistency (range alpha = 0.65-0.87). Test-retest reliability of the ES indicated good stability (r = 0.93, p < 0.001). Advanced breast cancer patients' quality of life was high, showing the efficacy of endocrine therapy, but women with primary disease reported better physical, social, and functional well-being and fewer breast cancer concerns. Most frequently reported symptoms were loss of sexual interest (31%), weight gain (25%), and hot flushes (24%). Significant differences were found between treatment groups for hot flushes and vaginal dryness. Two assessments of the instrument's responsiveness to change were made; 32 women in a clinical trial of endocrine therapy and 18 women without breast cancer taking HRT completed the FACT-ES at baseline, 4, 8, and 12 weeks. Trial patients reported significantly more symptoms at 8 and 12 weeks than at baseline. Women taking HRT reported significantly fewer or less severe symptoms than at baseline. In conclusion the FACT-ES has acceptable validity and reliability and is sensitive to clinically significant change, making it suitable for clinical trials of endocrine therapy.