Better understanding of patient (pt) perspectives could help in the management of HR+, HER2- early breast cancer (EBC).
Real-world data were analyzed descriptively from the Adelphi EBC Disease Specific Programme (Jun–Aug 2019). Fifty physicians practicing in Germany completed 400 pt record forms (PRFs) for pts with HR+, HER2- EBC who received/completed adjuvant therapy in the prior 12 months; 281 of these pts completed a pt self-completion form (PSC) including questions on pts’ knowledge/perceptions of, and satisfaction with coping with their illness (Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy – Breast item GE2).
Among 281 pts (mean [SD] age 56.4 [12.19] years, 59% Eastern Cooperative Onology Group status 0, 100% female) most had tumor size 1–3cm (76%), Grade 1 tumor (54%) and were node negative (73%). Of 48 pts considered by physicians to have high Ki-67, 80% had Ki-67 ≥20%. Most pts were aware of their EBC stage (83%), HER2 status (67%), nodal status (67%) and HR status (64%); 68% felt involved in treatment decisions; 79% thought the goal of current treatment was cure; and 59% were satisfied and 41% less satisfied with how they were coping with their EBC. Among pts satisfied/less satisfied with how they were coping (mean age 56.5/56.3 years), 55%/75% were aware of 3–4 (of a total of 4) aspects of their EBC, 71%/62% felt involved in treatment decisions and 49%/61% had used the internet to find information on EBC. Rates of adverse events (AEs) reported in both PRFs (for 72 of 400 pts with AEs) and 281 PSCs were: nausea 58%/17%, joint/muscle pain 25%/28% (pain), fatigue 24%/43%, vomiting 14%/16%, headache 11%/25%, diarrhea 8%/15% and hair loss/thinning 6%/38%. Differences (≥10%) in AE rates in pts satisfied/less satisfied with how they were coping were found for fatigue 39%/51%, nausea 13%/24%, vomiting 12%/22% and diarrhea 11%/21%.
In pts with HR+, HER2- EBC, behaviors differed in those satisfied with how they were coping with their EBC vs those less satisfied. There was discrepancy in the perception of AEs between physicians and pts. By addressing these points, physicians/caregivers could potentially help optimize pt satisfaction.
Medical writing support from Rx Communications (Gill Gummer).
Eli Lilly and Company.
Eli Lilly and Company.
C. Jackisch: Financial Interests, Other, Travel Grant and Housing Support form Lilly: Eli Lilly and Company. M. Banys- Paluchowski: Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria for lectures and advisory role: Eli Lilly and Company; Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria for lectures and advisory role: Pfizer; Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria for lectures and advisory role: Roche; Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria for lectures and advisory role: Amgen; Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria for lectures and advisory role: Daiichi Sankyo; Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria for lectures and advisory role: Novartis; Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria for lectures and advisory role: GSK. A. Korfel, C. Stoffregen, T. Otto: Financial Interests, Institutional, Affiliate: Eli Lilly and Company. J. Brown: Financial Interests, Institutional, Stocks/Shares: Eli Lilly and Company; Financial Interests, Institutional, Affiliate: Eli Lilly and Company. D.I. Lüftner: Financial Interests, Other, Honoraria and advisory boards: Eli Lilly and Company. All other authors have declared no conflicts of interest.