HER2 is overexpressed/amplified in 10-15% of eBC, which is associated with worst outcomes. Recent findings suggest that patients' perception of risk and fear of relapse may affect their health behavior and ability to participate in decision making during treatment (tx). The aim of this survey is to better understand their perceptions, attitudes, and behaviors regarding the risk of relapse in HER2+ eBC.
Direct-to-patient online survey was conducted in 6 European countries according to a standardized protocol, transmitted by a patient association and patient panel. Eligible participants were women aged ≥18 years with early-stage (stages I-III) or metastatic (stage IV) HER2+ breast cancer resulting from relapse of an initial diagnosis of eBC. Soft quotas were applied to ensure the representativity of sample size. Here we present the results of the survey in France.
Of the 108 participants, 72.2% were between 40 and 65 years of age. 88.9% had eBC, 62.1% had been diagnosed with HER2+ eBC for >2 years, and 64.8% were undergoing tx. Patients reported alopecia, fatigue and nausea-vomiting as the first rank of most difficult tx-related side effects to manage. The main concern regarding tx was fear of dying (25.9%), risk of relapse (25.0%) followed by the risk of tx failure (13.9%). 21.3% of patients said they had fully discussed risk of relapse with their doctor, while 31.5% had not. 97.3% wanted to be involved in their tx decision, 41.7% completely and 55.6% partially. Among women with eBC, >50% were worried about the risk of relapse. To reduce this risk, they were willing to exercise more (86.5%), change their eating habits (74.0%) or undergo surgery/additional tx (52.1%). 68.5% of all participants were willing to take additional tx if it would reduce their risk of relapse by up to 49%.
The responses collected in France suggest that HER2+ eBC cancer has a significant psychological impact on the surveyed women. Patients want to be involved in the decision-making process but one-third report lack of information about their risk of relapse. They are willing to take additional measures including additional treatment to reduce their risk of relapse. The global survey is ongoing.
Pierre Fabre.
Pierre Fabre.
O. Tredan: Financial Interests, Advisory Role: Roche; Financial Interests, Personal, Advisory Role: Pfizer, Lilly, AstraZeneca, MSD Oncology, Daiichi Sankyo Europe GmbH, Eisai Europe, Sandoz-Novartis, Seattle Genetics, Pierre Fabre; Financial Interests, Institutional, Research Grant: Roche, Bristol Myers Squibb, MSD Oncology, AstraZeneca, Novartis, Bayer; Financial Interests, Personal, Other, Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Roche, Novartis, Pfizer, Lilly, AstraZeneca, MSD Oncology. S. Matos: Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment: Pierre Fabre. A. Zkik: Financial Interests, Personal, Full or part-time Employment: Pierre Fabre. L. Gueroult-Accolas: Financial Interests, Advisory Role: AstraZeneca, BMS, Daiichi Sankyo, Lilly, Pierre Fabre, Pfizer, Novartis, Roche, Seagen, Vifor; Financial Interests, Other, Travel/Accommodation/Expenses: Cours St Paul, Congrès Parkours, Pierre Fabre, Pfizer, Vifor, Seagen; Financial Interests, Invited Speaker, Travel, Accommodations, Expenses: Exact Sciences.