Underuse of breast cancer adjuvant treatment: patient knowledge, beliefs, and medical mistrust.

ABSTRACT:

Purpose

Little is known about why women with breast cancer who have surgery do not receive proven effective postsurgical adjuvant treatments.

Methods

We surveyed 258 women who recently underwent surgical treatment at six New York City hospitals for early-stage breast cancer about their care, knowledge, and beliefs about breast cancer and its treatment. As per national guidelines, all women should have received adjuvant treatment. Adjuvant treatment data were obtained from inpatient and outpatient charts. Factor analysis was used to create scales scored to 100 of treatment beliefs and knowledge, medical mistrust, and physician communication about treatment. Bivariate and multivariate analyses assessed differences between treated and untreated women.

Results

Compared wi

SUBMITTER: Bickell NA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC2773474 | biostudies-literature | 2009 Nov

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature