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Communication
is critical between physicians and older breast cancer patients
as it has a direct influence on the therapy they receive,
according to research published in the Journal of Clinical
Oncology.
Researchers
looked at the patterns of tamoxifen discussion and prescribing
in 698 female breast cancer patients who were age 65 and older
at the time of their diagnosis. The women had stage I, stage
II or stage IIIa disease. Data was collected through medical
records, telephone interviews with patients and questionnaires
completed by their physicians.
Patients
over age 80, with additional health problems besides breast
cancer, and those who were estrogen receptor negative were
less likely to report they had talked with their physician
about tamoxifen therapy.
Patients
between 70 and 79 years of age, those who reported a greater
influence of information about tamoxifen on decision making,
and those whose physicians believed that the benefits of tamoxifen
outweighed its risks were more likely to be prescribed tamoxifen,
according to the U.S. researchers.
"These
findings highlight the key role of communication in the care
of older women with breast cancer and its ultimate influence
on the receipt of therapy," concluded the researchers.
Source:
Breast Cancer
Week of June 9, 2002
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