Endocrine therapy for breast cancer: Assessing an array of women's treatment experiences and perceptions, their perceived self-efficacy and nonadherence

Hans Wouters, Anne M. Stiggelbout, Marcel L. Bouvy, Gemma A. Maatman, Erica C.G. Van Geffen, Robbert Vree, Johan W. Nortier, Liset Van Dijk

Research output: Contribution to journalArticleAcademicpeer-review

Abstract

Background Although adjuvant endocrine therapy effectively prevents breast cancer recurrence, nonadherence rates are substantial. We therefore examined associations of women's experiences and perceptions regarding the efficacy, side effects, and practical problems of endocrine therapy with nonadherence. Furthermore, we examined whether women's perceived self-efficacy moderated these associations. Patients and Methods Two hundred forty-one breast cancer patients participated. Using the electronic Tailored Medicine Inventory, which enables skipping of irrelevant items, experiences and perceptions were assessed in a comprehensive yet feasible manner. Adherence was assessed according to self-report and evaluated for agreement with adherence estimated from pharmacy refill data. Results A substantial number of women doubted the efficacy of endocrine therapy, were worried about and/or had experienced hot flushes, loss of libido, joint ache, and/or practical problems with regard to information, intake, and packaging. Experience of practical problems (odds ratio [OR], 2.4; 95% confidence interval [CI], 1.0-5.8) and perceived self-efficacy with regard to medicine intake (OR, 0.5; 95% CI, 0.4-0.7) were associated with unintentional nonadherence. Number of side effects experienced (OR, 1.2; 95% CI, 1.05-1.4) and perceived self-efficacy with regard to learning about medication (OR, 0.6; 95% CI, 0.4-0.96) were associated with intentional nonadherence. Perceived self-efficacy did not moderate associations between women's treatment experiences and perceptions and nonadherence. Conclusion Endocrine therapy is challenging for many women. Targeting women's specific experiences and perceptions and improving their perceived self-efficacy is likely to decrease intentional and unintentional nonadherence.
Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)2-460
Number of pages459
JournalClinical Breast Cancer
Volume14
Issue number6
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 1 Dec 2014

Keywords

  • Antibreast cancer agents: adverse effects
  • Antibreast cancer agents: practical problems
  • Antibreast cancer agents: therapeutic use
  • Oncology: patient adherence
  • Oncology: patient-centered care
  • antineoplastic hormone agonists and antagonists
  • aromatase inhibitor
  • cytostatic agent
  • tamoxifen
  • adult
  • amnesia
  • anxiety
  • arthralgia
  • arthritis
  • article
  • backache
  • bloating
  • bothersomeness
  • breast cancer
  • cancer hormone therapy
  • cancer patient
  • cancer radiotherapy
  • cancer surgery
  • chemotherapy induced nausea and vomiting
  • concentration loss
  • confusion (uncertainty)
  • constipation
  • controlled study
  • diarrhea
  • drowsiness
  • drug dose regimen
  • drug efficacy
  • drug eruption
  • drug information
  • drug packaging
  • edema
  • emotional disorder
  • endometrium cancer
  • fatigue
  • female
  • hair loss
  • health belief
  • heart palpitation
  • heartburn
  • hot flush
  • human
  • hyperhidrosis
  • insomnia
  • joint stiffness
  • joint swelling
  • libido disorder
  • major clinical study
  • mastalgia
  • mastectomy
  • medication compliance
  • memory disorder
  • mood disorder
  • muscle cramp
  • myalgia
  • named inventories, questionnaires and rating scales
  • orthostatic hypotension
  • panic
  • partial mastectomy
  • patient attitude
  • patient compliance
  • patient worry
  • personal experience
  • pharmacy
  • restlessness
  • self concept
  • self report
  • side effect
  • sleep disorder
  • somnolence
  • stomach cramp
  • stomach disease
  • stomach pain
  • Tailored Medicine Inventory
  • urine incontinence
  • urine retention
  • vagina bleeding
  • vagina discharge
  • vaginal dryness
  • vaginal pruritus
  • xerostomia

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