Insight in late treatment-related health problems following from breast cancer treatment is useful in anticipating on the (informational) needs of patients during follow-up. This study aimed to identify treatment-related health problems in breast cancer patients up to five years after diagnosis. Second, use of care associated to these health problems was identified.
876 surgically treated female patients diagnosed with early stage breast cancer (between 2012-2016) were asked to complete an online survey about current health problems and use of care. Multivariate logistic regression analyses were applied to determine the effect of patient and treatment characteristic on health problems.
404 patients responded (46%). Median age was 62.0 years (SD: 10.9). Apart from breast surgery, patients were treated with radiotherapy (72%), chemotherapy (49%), anti-hormonal therapy (57%), and axillary dissection (21%). Ninety-three percent experienced one or more health problems. Over 50% of respondents experienced fatigue, psychological problems, and health problems regarding the breast, and/or musculoskeletal, central nervous, and reproductive system. Treatment with chemotherapy was significantly (p < 0.05) associated with an increased risk of health problems, respectively fatigue (OR:2.00), and respiratory (OR:1.81), gastrointestinal (OR:1.87), central nervous (OR:3.40), and skin problems (OR:2.62). Use of health care for one or more health problems was reported by 64% of respondents.
Almost all patients experienced health problems up to five years after breast cancer diagnosis, with a range of complaints existing consistently present over time. Factors associated with the development of health problems are useful to better informing patients upfront and to target follow-up care.
Netherlands Comprehensive Cancer Organisation (IKNL).
Has not received any funding.
All authors have declared no conflicts of interest.