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Factors associated with intentional and unintentional non-adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy following breast cancer

Authors :
Mary Boulton
Jo Brett
Fiona M Walter
Eila Watson
Carolyn Morris
Adrienne Morgan
Bernadette Lavery
Peter Donnelly
Nicholas J. Hulbert-Williams
Deborah Fenlon
Publication Year :
2016

Abstract

Adherence to adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) following breast cancer is known to be suboptimal despite its known efficacy in reducing recurrence and mortality. This study aims to investigate factors associated with non-adherence and inform the development of interventions to support women and promote adherence. A questionnaire survey to measure level of adherence, side effects experienced, beliefs about medicine, support received and socio-demographic details was sent to 292 women 2–4 years post breast cancer diagnosis. Differences between non-adherers and adherers to AET were explored, and factors associated with intentional and unintentional non-adherence are reported. Approximately one quarter of respondents, 46 (22%), were non-adherers, comprising 29 (14%) intentional non-adherers and 17 (8%) unintentional non-adherers. Factors significantly associated with intentional non-adherence were the presence of side effects (p < .03), greater concerns about AET (p < .001) and a lower perceived necessity to take AET (p < .001). Half of the sample (105/211) reported that side effects had a moderate or high impact on their quality of life. Factors associated with unintentional non-adherence were younger age (

Details

Language :
English
Database :
OpenAIRE
Accession number :
edsair.doi.dedup.....7dae952e7679e7706ec46fa74d69e3ca