Breast and prostate cancer survivors&#39; understanding of risk and management of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal side effects of treatment: findings from focus groups

Dalla Via, J; Andrew, CR; Baguley, BJ; Stewart, N; Hodgson, JM; Lewis, JR; Stanley, M; Kennedy, MA

Breast and prostate cancer survivors' understanding of risk and management of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal side effects of treatment: findings from focus groups

Author(s): Dalla Via, J; Andrew, CR; Baguley, BJ; Stewart, N; Hodgson, JM; Lewis, JR; Stanley, M; Kennedy, MA;
Details: Publication Year 2025-06-21,Volume 33,Issue #7,Page 608
Journal Title: Supportive Care in Cancer
Publication Type: Research article
Abstract: PURPOSE: Survival after a cancer diagnosis is improving, increasing the importance of understanding and managing long-term treatment-related adverse effects. This study aimed to understand breast and prostate cancer survivors' understanding of how cancer treatment may affect cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. METHODS: Australian breast and prostate cancer survivors treated with therapies with known cardiovascular adverse effects were recruited via a private cancer care provider. Participants completed an online background questionnaire, then participated in a focus group. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. RESULTS: In total, 26 cancer survivors (15 breast, 11 prostate; mean age 67 years) participated in one of seven focus groups. Three major themes were developed: 1) Focus is on the here and now, not the future-participants were infrequently told that their cancer treatment can have negative long-term effects; 2) Wanting individualised delivery of side-effect information-participants received varying types and amounts of information about side effects, but it was not delivered in a way that best suited them; and 3) Left wondering how to best manage side effects-few participants were provided with information about how to manage long term side effects, despite wanting this information. CONCLUSION: Important information about long-term side effects of cancer treatment, and how to manage them, was inconsistently provided to breast and prostate cancer survivors. Information about long-term treatment side effects should be delivered in a flexible, individualised way to better enable cancer survivors to understand the risk and engage in preventative health behaviours.
Publisher: Springer Nature
Keywords: Humans; Male; Aged; *Prostatic Neoplasms/therapy/drug therapy; *Cancer Survivors/psychology; *Breast Neoplasms/therapy/drug therapy; Female; Focus Groups; Middle Aged; *Cardiovascular Diseases/chemically induced/etiology; *Musculoskeletal Diseases/etiology/chemically induced; Australia; *Antineoplastic Agents/adverse effects; *Health Knowledge, Attitudes, Practice; Surveys and Questionnaires; Aged, 80 and over; Cancer; Cardiovascular; Musculoskeletal; Survivorship; Treatment side effects
Department(s): Allied Health
Publisher's Version: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09642-z
Open Access at Publisher's Site: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09642-z
Terms of Use/Rights Notice: Refer to copyright notice on published article.

Creation Date: 2025-07-22 06:23:46

Last Modified: 2025-07-22 06:25:04