More than one-third (34%) of women with secondary breast cancer are unnecessarily encumbered by uncontrolled pain, according to new research by Breast Cancer Care and the University of Southampton.
The study, led by the Dean of the Faculty of Health Sciences, professor Jessica Corner, was published in the Journal of Pain and Symptom Management.
Of the 235 women included in the study, researchers found:
- Shortness of breath plagued 27%
- Nausea was experienced by 26%
- Significant pain was reported by 44%
Due to advancements in therapies, the prognosis of secondary breast cancer is improving. Therefore, secondary breast cancer is becoming a long-term, complex disease requiring continuous symptom control and emotional support for many patients.
Currently palliative care teams focus on end-of-life care. However, more than half of the women surveyed had been living with secondary breast cancer for at least 2 years. Regardless of their pain, few study participants were at the end-of-life stage, yet their needs were unmet. Therefore, half of the women surveyed were dissatisfied with their care.
Elizabeth Reed, Secondary Breast Cancer Research Nurse at Breast Cancer Care and principal investigator of the research said: “Until now there has been little research into the quality of life of women living with secondary breast cancer outside of clinical trials. This study, which is the first of its kind, shows that women with secondary breast cancer have a range of complex, multidimensional needs that are not being met.
“No woman should live with controllable pain or without the information and advice they need to make decisions about their own health. Developments in treatment mean that those living with secondary breast cancer are now considered cancer survivors rather than necessarily at the end of life. It is therefore vital that healthcare professionals are equipped with the knowledge and expertise they need to offer women with secondary breast cancer adequate symptom control and the medical and psychological support they need.”
Source: University of Southampton.