The Symptom Burden of Women With a Known Risk of Breast Cancer Receiving Risk Reducing Medication

Authors

• Meagan S Whisenant
• Jessica Treviño Jones
• Anneliese O Gonzalez
• Therese Bartholomew Bevers
• Kelly Brassil
• Darcy A Ponce
• Sharvari Kamat
• Emily Solis
• Ann Maliackal
• Hannah Warlick
• Amie Walters
• Chloe Denham
• Loretta A Williams

Language

English

Publication Date

1-1-2025

Journal

Cancer Treatment and Research Communications

DOI

10.1016/j.ctarc.2023.100784

PMID

40252396

Abstract

Background: For the estimated 10 million women in the United States who meet the high-risk criteria for breast cancer, evidence-based interventions may reduce the risk of breast cancer by 50-65 %. Even with substantial evidence supporting preventive medication for risk reduction, there is significant lack of uptake and adherence. The purpose of this study was to characterize the experience of women at high risk for breast cancer and define the content domain for a patient-reported outcomes (PRO) measure of symptom burden from breast cancer risk and risk reducing medication.

Methods: Thirty women at high risk for breast cancer and receiving risk reducing medication participated in single qualitative interviews. Content analysis was used to identify the symptom burden. An expert panel review rated the relevance of symptoms identified in the qualitative interviews to establish the items for inclusion in a PRO symptom burden measure.

Results: Participants had a mean age of 54.6 years; 43.3 % self-identified as Hispanic and 20.0 % self-identified as Black. Content analysis found 20 symptoms related to both risk and preventive treatment, with 8 symptoms reported by ≥ 20 % of women. All women described distress related to their risk and preventive care. Treatment-related symptoms varied based on history of risk-reducing surgery and type of endocrine therapy. Women described symptom-related interference with relationships, work, enjoyment of life, and adherence to risk reducing medication.

Conclusions: Women with a known high risk of breast cancer and receiving preventive care experience a unique symptom burden including multiple symptoms and functional impact related to symptoms.

Keywords

Humans, Female, Breast Neoplasms, Middle Aged, Adult, Aged, Patient Reported Outcome Measures, Cost of Illness, Qualitative Research, Risk Factors, Symptom Burden, Antiestrogen therapy, Breast cancer, Cancer prevention, Patient-reported outcomes, Quality of life, Symptoms

Published Open-Access

yes

Recommended Citation

Whisenant, Meagan S; Jones, Jessica Treviño; Gonzalez, Anneliese O; et al., "The Symptom Burden of Women With a Known Risk of Breast Cancer Receiving Risk Reducing Medication" (2025). Faculty, Staff and Student Publications. 3590.
https://digitalcommons.library.tmc.edu/uthmed_docs/3590