Open AccessPatient and provider factors associated with the noninitiation of tamoxifen for young women at high‐risk for the development of breast cancer
Author(s) -
Kandagatla Pridvi,
Rizk Natalie N.,
Dokic Danijela,
Kochkodan Jeannie,
Estevez Samantha,
Yanik Megan,
Goranta Sowmya,
HuberKeener Kathryn,
Jeruss Jacqueline S.
Publication year - 2020
Publication title -
the breast journal
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 0.533
H-Index - 72
eISSN - 1524-4741
pISSN - 1075-122X
DOI - 10.1111/tbj.13528
Subject(s) - medicine , tamoxifen , breast cancer , fertility , risk factor , gynecology , oncology , young adult , medline , cancer , family medicine , population , environmental health , political science , law
We sought to identify factors associated with disparities in tamoxifen utilization among young patients at high‐risk for developing breast cancer. We identified 67 premenopausal, high‐risk women age 35‐45, without surgical prophylaxis, who did not initiate tamoxifen. Factors associated with noninitiation were examined. About 37% of patients had no documented provider‐based discussion regarding initiation. Type of high‐risk diagnosis was the only factor associated with a provider‐based discussion ( P = .03). For patients offered tamoxifen, primary reasons for noninitiation were perceived minimal benefit (66.7%), fertility concerns (16.7%), and concerns about side effects (7.1%). Implementation of comprehensive educational strategies regarding the benefits of tamoxifen should be facilitated to improve initiation among young high‐risk patients.