Perceptions, needs and preferences for cardiac care, of women with breast cancer and cardiac damage due to the cancer treat-ments.

Abstract

ABSTRACT

Background: The most common type of cancer in women is breast cancer (BC). Survival has improved due to better treatment with surgery, chemotherapy, radiotherapy and/or immunotherapy. However, apart from surgery, these therapies can cause cardiac damage and increase the risk of cardiovascular disease. Research about the consequences of the cardiac damage on Quality of Life (QoL) for women with BC is lacking. Research question: What are the perceptions, needs and preferences for cardiac care of women with BC and cardiac damage due to the cancer treatments? Methods: A generic qualitative study using individual semi-structured interviews. A purposeful sampling technique was used to include 12 BC patients with treatment-induced cardiac damage. The content of the interview was based on the “Concept of Positive Health” and determinants to evaluate care of professionals. The interviews were analysed concurrently, by two researchers independently, using Thematic Analysis. Results: Four overarching themes emerged; overwhelming burden, a lack of communication, acknowledgement and personalised care. The women perceived an overwhelming burden which was mounting and influencing quality of life, due to incomprehension of cardiovascular side effects associated with cancer treatments. A lack of communication was reported on a relative, nonrelative, professional, and interprofessional level. Acknowledgement of cardiac damage and cardiac care was inadequate, before-, during- and after breast cancer treatment. Most of the participants had experienced no personalised and holistic care. Conclusion and implications of findings: Address financial, psychosocial, existential and sexual issues to cardiac follow-up care of women with BC. A personalised approach in cardiac surveillance is needed to fulfil participant needs and preferences in cardiac care.