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Nonadherent behaviors among young women on adjuvant endocrine therapy for breast cancer
Author(s) -
Wassermann Johanna,
Gelber Shari I.,
Rosenberg Shoshana M.,
Ruddy Kathryn J.,
Tamimi Rulla M.,
Schapira Lidia,
Borges Virginia F.,
Come Steven E.,
Meyer Meghan E.,
Partridge Ann H.
Publication year - 2019
Publication title -
cancer
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 3.052
H-Index - 304
eISSN - 1097-0142
pISSN - 0008-543X
DOI - 10.1002/cncr.32192
Subject(s) - medicine , breast cancer , odds ratio , logistic regression , psychological intervention , cancer , prospective cohort study , univariate analysis , young adult , adjuvant therapy , social support , multivariate analysis , gynecology , psychiatry , psychology , psychotherapist
Background Young age is a known factor associated with suboptimal adherence to endocrine therapy (ET) for adjuvant breast cancer (BC) treatment. This study was aimed at assessing nonadherent behaviors and associated factors among young women with early‐stage hormone receptor–positive BC. Methods As part of a multicenter, prospective cohort of women with a diagnosis of BC at or under the age of 40 years, participants were surveyed 30 months after their diagnosis about adherent behaviors. Among those who reported taking ET, adherence was measured with a 3‐item Likert‐type scale: Do you ever forget to take your ET? If you feel worse when you take your ET, do you stop taking it? Did you take your ET exactly as directed by your doctor over the last 3 months? Women reporting at least 1 nonadherent behavior were classified as nonadherers. Variables with a P value <.20 were included in a multivariable logistic model. Results Among 384 women, 194 (51%) were classified as nonadherers. Univariate factors that retained significance in the multivariable model included educational level (odds ratio [OR], 0.50 for high vs low; P = .04), level of social support according to the Medical Outcome Study Social Support Survey (OR, 0.98 per 1 point; P = .01), and confidence with the decision regarding ET measured on a 0 to 10 numerical scale (OR, 0.63 for high vs low; P = .04). Conclusions Findings from this study could help to identify young patients at higher risk for nonadherence. Interventions adapted to the level of education and aimed at reinforcing support and patients' confidence in their decision to take ET could improve adherence and associated outcomes in this population.