Search

Purpose To identify potential correlates of CRF after curative breast cancer (BC) treatment. The hypothesis was that fatigue would be more severe among women treated with cardiotoxic drugs, with poor physical condition and those who exercised less.Methods Prospective observational cross-sectional design. Fatigue was evaluated through Perform Questionnaire (multi-item, multi-dimensional). Patient-reported assessments and objective information regarding clinical data, physical activity (PA) and physical condition were analysed as potential correlates of CRF.Results 180 women who remained free of disease were recruited. Prevalence of fatigue interfering with quality of life was 43%. Weight, BMI, treatment with trastuzumab and time spent walking one mile were positively associated with fatigue. Age, time from diagnosis, self-reported walking time, basal and recovery heart rate were negatively associated. Previous chemo, radio or hormonal therapy, objectively assessed weekly PA, cardio-respiratory condition, muscular strength and adherence to Mediterranean diet were not associated with CRF. However, an interesting unexpected negative association with nut intake was found.Conclusions CRF is a prevalent problem after BC treatment. Objectively assessed PA, cardiorespiratory fitness and muscular strength did not predict CRF. The association of CRF with trastuzumab and low intake of nuts should be confirmed in further studies. A deeper insight in heart rate variability is warranted. Future research should include longitudinal studies and determination of biomarkers. Implications for Cancer Survivors BC survivors, especially younger and overweight women, should be informed about fatigue as a potential persistent symptom through all stages of the cancer trajectory and into survivorship. They also should be routinely screened for CRF.

Fatigue has been the most distressing and frequent symptom in breast cancer (BC) survivors after treatment. Although fatigue can occur in other cancer survivors, women with a history of BC might share some distinctive features. The present study aimed to recapitulate the knowledge about risk factors and correlates of cancer-related fatigue (CRF) in BC survivors after oncologic therapy. An electronic data search was conducted in PubMed using the terms “fatigue,” “breast,” “cancer,” and “survivors.” Records were included if they were original articles, available in English, had used a quantitative scale, had > 100 participants, and had excluded women with BC relapse. BC survivors were required to have finished their treatments ≥ 2 months before, except for hormonal therapy. The physiopathology and other interventions were considered beyond the scope of our review. The correlates were subsequently classified into 7 main categories: (1) sociodemographic data, (2) physical variables, (3) tumor- and treatment-related variables, (4) comorbidities, (5) other symptoms, (6) psychological issues, and (7) lifestyle factors. Fatigue was consistently greater in younger, obese, and diabetic women. Women reporting fatigue often communicated symptoms such as pain, depression, insomnia, and cognitive dysfunction. Coping strategies such as catastrophizing could play an important role in the persistence of fatigue. However, tumor characteristics, previous treatments received, and physical activity were not consistently reported. CRF was a strong predictor of the quality of life of BC survivors after treatment. In conclusion, we found CRF was a frequent and serious symptom that severely affects the quality of life of BC survivors after treatment. Health practitioners require more awareness and information about CRF.

e24087 Background: Fatigue is one of the most distressing symptoms among breast cancer survivors (BCS) after finishing their treatment. Besides cancer-related factors, fatigue may be influenced by socio-demographic, physical, medical, psychological and behavioural variables. Exercise is recommended to manage CRF. Methods: PH-UEM02 and PH-UEM06 were prospective observational studies in BCS after finishing their treatments. Fatigue was evaluated through the Perform Questionnaire (12-60, being 60 no fatigue). Anthropometry, physical condition (PC) and physical activity (PA) were objectively evaluated. One-mile walk test (MWT), handgrip and sit to stand were used to assess PC. PA was measured by using accelerometers. Clinical data (treatments) were obtained from the clinical record. Socio-economic, diet (PREDIMED questionnaire) and QoL (EORTC QLQ-C30) were reported by BCS. Results: 201 BCS were recruited (age 51±9, BMI 25.9±4, median time from diagnosis 22 months). 73% had been treated with chemo, 66% anthracyclines, 20% trastuzumab, 66% radiotherapy, 81% hormone (24% aromatase inhibitors). Mean PERFORM score (45.6/60). Adherence to Mediterranean diet (9.1/14). EORTC Global score (68.9/100). No association with age, socio-economic or marital status, previous chemo, anthracyclines or radiotherapy, WPA, estimated VO2max, handgrip, sit to stand or PREDIMED score was found. Weight, trastuzumab and MWT time were positively associated with fatigue (2MAX or muscular strength were associated with fatigue. 3. Regarding previous treatments, only trastuzumab was associated with CRF. 4. Interestingly heart rate (both basal and recovery) and nut intake were strongly associated with CRF. 5. More research is warranted in heart rate variability and potential related biomarkers. [Table: see text]

Hospital Puerta del Hierro in Madrid, Spain, implemented in November 2011 a new service that aim to aid the patients of the oncology service with their doubts during their treatments through the use of a centralized call center. This service was created with the goal of provide a more personalized patient attention as well as to try to reduce the number of re-entries in the hospital in the emergencies. The aim of this paper is to present the main result of the analysis of the data produced by their call service in order to verify if the objectives were fulfilled as well as to gather what improvements can be done.