Despite the wealth of resources available, many breast cancer survivors are unaware of the risk for their cancer to recur, finds a new Canadian survey.
The survey, led by the Canadian Breast Cancer Network and conducted by Ipsos-Reid, shows that only one in 10 survivors know that there is a risk of relapse five years after tamoxifen treatment.
"The fact that many survivors do not realize that their cancer may return is alarming, especially since evidence shows that one-third of survivors will experience recurrence within 15 years of the initial diagnosis," said Dianna Schreuer, past president of the Canadian Breast Cancer Network (CBCN) and breast cancer survivor.
Half of breast cancer recurrences occur five to 15 years after the first diagnosis.
While most of the cancer survivors surveyed could remember their tumour size and cancer stage, only 64 per cent recalled discussing risk of recurrence and less than half (43 per cent) remember receiving information from their physician on support groups about their risk for cancer recurrence.
After completing their tamoxifen treatment, eight per cent of the women surveyed felt it was extremely likely/very likely that their breast cancer would return, while 61 per cent believed it was somewhat likely or unlikely.
Three-quarters said that completing tamoxifen made them feel optimistic about the future, and 63 per cent felt they had won the battle.
Still, 40 per cent felt vulnerable, only 38 per cent felt cured and/or confident that they didn't need additional treatment (35 per cent).
The survey was administered online and by mail between April 12 to May 28, 2007 to breast cancer survivors who had completed four years of tamoxifen therapy for the treatment of early, non-metastatic breast cancer. A total of 230 respondents were surveyed, resulting in an overall confidence interval of +/-6.5 per cent.
Schreuer says breast cancer patients and survivors need to speak with their doctors to be sure they understand their risk of cancer recurrence and also to talk about any treatment options available to prevent recurrence.
The CBCN strongly recommends women ask their doctors the following questions:
- For women with breast cancer who are currently on standard treatment, ask your doctor "what is my risk?"
- For women with breast cancer who have completed standard treatment, ask your doctor "what are the next steps and what are my options?"
- For women with breast cancer who have been off treatment (no matter how long), ask your doctor "what has changed since my therapy was completed and what are my options?"
