Citations

147 Background: The Institute of Medicine recommends development of cancer survivorship care models that are patient centered. We designed a cross-sectional survey to determine the medical and psychosocial needs and preferences of breast cancer survivors. Methods: We identified a random sample, stratified by age and chemotherapy usage, of 600 women from MN, WI, and IA, ages 18-99, within 1-5 years of diagnosis of stage 0-3 breast cancer and seen at our institution. Results: We received 329 surveys (response rate 55%). Respondents were a mean age of 58 years (range 26-89) and a mean of 3.3 years from cancer diagnosis (range 1.2-5.4). 96% were white and stage distribution was: 15% stage 0, 35% stage 1, 32% stage 2, 15% stage 3, and 3% missing. Treatment included mastectomy (60%), lumpectomy (40%), radiation (61%), chemotherapy (55%) and hormonal therapy (50%). Most common treatment-related sequelae were neuropathy (38%), chest wall or arm pain (27%), and lymphedema (26%). Over half (52%) report worry and 45% report fatigue as a problem in the past week. 74% stated that their medical needs were met, whereas 49% said their psychological and spiritual needs were met (p<0.01). 68% understood the follow-up plan after treatment was complete. Perceived barriers to follow up care were anxiety (30%) and lack of coordination (10%). When queried about post-treatment care, the following aspects were considered important (% of patients ranking ≥7 on scale 0-10: 0=not important, 10=very important): breast/chest wall exam (88%); screening for osteoporosis (71%), colorectal cancer (69%), and heart disease (65%); educational materials (64%); mammography (63%); physical therapy (61%); diet and exercise counseling (60%); and complementary/alternative medicine information (53%). Less important were psychology (44%), gynecology (43%), chaplain services (35%), support groups (32%), social work (20%), and infertility experts (4%). 60% expressed interest in attending a survivorship clinic. Conclusions: This survey provides unique data on breast cancer survivors, and efforts should be made to optimize medical and psychosocial care in line with their needs and preferences. These results will be imperative in designing a wellness and survivorship clinic.

Background: A breast cancer diagnosis can entail numerous physical and psychosocial challenges. Yoga practice (YP) may contribute to improved well-being for these patients. Primary Study Objective: Investigate feasibility and impact of YP on quality of life (QoL), mood, fatigue, and perceived stress immediately after breast cancer diagnosis. Methods: Thirty women were randomly assigned to a yoga group (YG) or control group (CG) immediately after cancer diagnosis. Setting: Pilot study conducted at an academic medical center breast clinic. Participant(s): Females (N = 30) who received a biopsy-proven breast cancer diagnosis without metastatic disease. Intervention (YG): One individual YP session at baseline, then 2 individual and 8 weekly group sessions followed by weekly gentle yoga at home (DVD). Questionnaires and saliva samples (ie, cortisol) completed at baseline and 12 weeks postdiagnosis. Results: Both groups reported significant improvements in QoL postintervention but with no significant difference between groups. Emotional well-being, mood-related tension-anxiety, depression-dejection, and confusion-bewilderment scores improved for both groups, and cortisol and cortisone levels decreased. Lumpectomies were prevalent with YG (67%) and CG (47%). YP was rated as “very effective,” providing relaxation (85%), stress relief (69%), and reduced muscle tension/general feeling of wellness (each 62%). Conclusion: Feasibility of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis was good. Improvement in emotional well-being, anxiety, depression, and levels of confusion was found in both groups. To our knowledge, this is the first study examining the impact of YP immediately after breast cancer diagnosis. Further research in this area is warranted.

The development of pharmacologic agents for the prevention of breast cancer is a significant milestone in medical and laboratory research. Despite these advances, the endorsement of preventive options has become challenging and complex, as physicians are expected to counsel and tailor their recommendations using a personalized approach taking into account medical comorbidities, degree of risk and patient preferences. This article provides a comprehensive overview of the major breast cancer prevention trials, review of the pharmacologic options available for breast cancer prevention, and strategies for integrating chemoprevention of breast cancer in high-risk women into clinical practice.

Background: The use of breast magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) for screening high-risk patients is well established. However, the role of MRI as a diagnostic problem-solving tool is less well studied. With the increasing availability of MRI, its use for problem solving has increased. This small retrospective study examines the use and utility of breast MRI in evaluating palpable breast masses with negative diagnostic mammogram and ultrasound studies. Methods: We reviewed our breast MRI database, selecting breast MRI studies performed to assess palpable abnormalities with negative mammogram and ultrasound findings. Evidence of cancer was determined by biopsy. Results: Seventy-seven studies were included, comprising 1.3% of all breast MRI studies performed at our institution during the study period (2005–2011). Twenty-two patients underwent biopsy, and 55 were followed clinically without biopsy. Approximately half (27 of 55) of the patients without biopsy were lost to follow-up after negative MRI, and the rest had no evidence of cancer on imaging or clinical examination at 1 year. Of the 22 patients who underwent biopsy, 2 were diagnosed with cancer, both with positive MRI studies. Sensitivity of MRI when compared to tissue diagnosis was 100%, and specificity was 70%. Positive and negative predictive values were 25% and 100%, respectively. Conclusions: When used for evaluation of a palpable breast mass with negative traditional imaging, breast MRI likely offers low yield of cancer diagnosis and low specificity. Negative MRI results may cause a low compliance rate for recommended follow-up. Because a biopsy is indicated for persistent palpable masses, the addition of diagnostic MRI only adds another step, with associated costs and burdens.

Survivors of breast cancer are faced with a multitude of medical and psychological impairments during and after treatment and throughout their lifespan. Physical exercise has been shown to improve survival and recurrence in this population. Mind-body interventions combine a light-moderate intensity physical exercise with mindfulness, thus having the potential to improve both physical and psychological sequelae of breast cancer treatments. We conducted a review of mindfulness-based physical exercise interventions which included yoga, tai chi chuan, Pilates, and qigong, in breast cancer survivors. Among the mindfulness-based interventions, yoga was significantly more studied in this population as compared to tai chi chuan, Pilates, and qigong. The participants and the outcomes of the majority of the studies reviewed were heterogeneous, and the population included was generally not selected for symptoms. Yoga was shown to improve fatigue in a few methodologically strong studies, providing reasonable evidence for benefit in this population. Improvements were also seen in sleep, anxiety, depression, distress, quality of life, and postchemotherapy nausea and vomiting in the yoga studies. Tai chi chuan, Pilates, and qigong were not studied sufficiently in breast cancer survivors in order to be implemented in clinical practice.