Breast cancer survivorship in urban India.

Abstract

108 Background: With increasing breast cancer burden, there is need for survivorship programs in developing countries. The Indian Breast Cancer Survivors Conference is a unique initiative, to address this need in urban India. A survey of participants at this meet was conducted to aid planning of future events. Methods: Participants filled a 3-page bilingual questionnaire. Data gathered included demographics, education, treatment and side effects, health behaviors, and social impact of diagnosis. Results: Demographic: 205 breast cancer survivors registered from 5 cities. 190 participated in the study. Mean age was 51.5 years (27-79). 61.6 % reported having one or more college degrees and 86.5% were married. Diagnosis and Treatment: Mean age at diagnosis was 47.5 yrs (22-72). Median time from diagnosis was 36 m (3m-19 yrs). Mastectomy was reported as the surgical treatment by 52.1% (6% reconstruction), 72.9 % reported lymph node removal and 10.8% could not specify surgical details. 90% received chemotherapy; 76.8% underwent radiation (97.3% in lumpectomy pts); 61% took endocrine therapy and 5.1 % interrupted it before 5 years. Side Effects:Arthralgia (64%) and anxiety (60.9%) were most frequent self- reported problems followed by surgical site pain (56.1%), depression (53.9%), cognitive deficits (52.2%), skin/ hair/ nail problems (48.2%), hot flashes (48.2%), arm swelling (48.2%) and vaginal dryness (38.2%). Social Impact:Survivors whowere married or in a relationship described their relationship as stronger after diagnosis in 57.8%, unchanged in 37.4% and weaker in 4.7%. Two were married after diagnosis and none reported separation or divorce. Health Behaviors: Regular surveillance visits were reported by 93.3 % (168/180) of participants (65 with their medical oncologist, 50 with surgeon, 23 with both) 5.5% had not seen their oncologist in 2 years. Alternative medical treatment was used by 29.1% (53/182); 26 used Ayurvedic, 13 homeopathic and 14 other. This was discussed with an oncologist by 62.3%. Regular exercise at least 3 times/week was reported by 73.7% and walking (88.8%) or yoga (22.2%) were preferred. Conclusions: The presented data highlights aspects of breast cancer survivorship in urban Indian women that can be used to plan survivorship programs in future.

Breast cancer survivorship in India

“…The first such meeting was held in 2012 in Pune, India ( https://www.wci.co.in/our-activities/survivors-conference ) which brought together breast cancer survivors from several States of India, including survivors from over five cities across the State of Maharashtra. During the Annual Indian Breast Cancer Survivors Conference held in 2017, a three page bilingual survey was filled out by 190 survivors 10 . The filling of the survey questionnaire was voluntary and due consent was taken from all participants.…”