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Patients' beliefs about medications are important predictors of medication adherence; however, the relationship between patient beliefs and adjuvant endocrine therapy (AET) adherence in patients with breast cancer remains unclear. In this study, we aimed to determine the association between patient beliefs and adherence to AET. Self-reported questionnaires covering necessity beliefs (NB), concerns beliefs (CB), and adherence were completed by 210 Korean patients with breast cancer. The rate of nonadherence was determined by calculating necessity-concern (N-C) differentials and attitudinal subgroup analysis. Multivariate logistic regression analysis was performed to determine the independent impact of patient beliefs on nonadherence. Nonadherence (Morisky Medication Adherence Scale < 8) was reported in 74.3% (n = 156) of patients and predicted by a negative balance regarding AET [odds ratio (OR) = 0.89; 95% confidence interval (CI): 0.83–0.96] and strong concerns about AET such as those in the Ambivalent (OR = 5.41; 95% CI: 1.84–15.92) and Skeptical (OR = 3.48, 95% CI: 1.14–10.65) subgroups. Patient beliefs are significantly associated with adherence to AET in Korean patients with breast cancer. NB, CB, and N-C differentials may be useful intervention targets to improve medication adherence. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objective: We investigated the contribution of supplement use to total nutrient intake, the prevalence of inadequate nutrient intake and the factors associated with supplement use among breast cancer survivors. Methods: A total of 701 Korean breast cancer survivors were included. We calculated the contribution of dietary supplements to total nutrient intake and the proportion of the population below the estimated average requirements (EARs) or exceeding the tolerable upper intake levels (ULs). Stepwise logistic regression was used to identify factors associated with dietary supplement use. Results: A total of 66.5% of the survivors used dietary supplements, with multivitamins and minerals being the most commonly consumed ones. The per cent contribution of supplement to the total intake was the highest for vitamin C. 28.2%–55.4% of the non‐users consumed below the EAR of riboflavin, folate and calcium; 6.1%, 4.9% and 6.5% of the supplement users consumed above the UL of vitamins A and C, and iron, respectively. Supplement users had higher education levels or longer survival time. Conclusion: 66.5% of Korean breast cancer survivors used dietary supplements. A higher education level or prolonged survival time was associated with higher use of dietary supplements. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]

Objectives. Some chemotherapy drugs can damage the nerves and cause peripheral neuropathy which is accompanied by severe neuropathic pain or gait impairment. The purpose of this study was to assess the feasibility and the safety of acupuncture for the treatment of peripheral neuropathy following chemotherapy in Korean breast cancer patients. Design. This study was a prospective single-arm observational study using before and after measurements in breast cancer patients presenting with taxane-induced peripheral neuropathy. Settings/Location. This study was performed at East-West Medical Center at Daegu Catholic University Hospital, Daegu, South Korea. Interventions. Acupuncture was administered 3 times a week for 4 consecutive weeks, for 25 ± 5 minutes at each session. Outcome Measures. The primary outcome measure was severity of CIPN using the Neuropathic Pain Symptom Inventory (NPSI) assessed by a self-administered questionnaire and Nerve Conduction Study (NCS) of extremities. The secondary outcome measure was quality of life (QoL) assessed by a self-administered questionnaire using the 36-Item Short From Health Survey (SF-36). Results. Acupuncture significantly reduced the severity of CIPN assessed by NPSI score. Four weeks after the last treatment, the symptoms were not aggravated. According to NCS, 42.9% of participants showed improvement of sensory neuropathy. At the end of the treatment, SF-36 scores were significantly increased for variables including physical functioning, role limitations due to physical health problems, social functioning, and general health perceptions compared to those of baseline measurement. Conclusions. Acupuncture improved symptoms of CIPN and QoL in Korean women suffering from peripheral neuropathy after chemotherapy using taxane for breast cancer. The effects of acupuncture lasted for at least 1 month after the treatment. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]