Perceptions of vascular access for intravenous systemic therapy and risk factors for lymphedema in early-stage breast cancer-a patient survey.

ABSTRACT: Background:The choice of vascular access for systemic therapy administration in breast cancer remains an area of clinical equipoise, and patient preference is not consistently acknowledged. Using a patient survey, we evaluated the patient experience with vascular access during treatment for early-stage breast cancer and explored perceived risk factors for lymphedema. Methods:Patients who had received systemic therapy for early-stage breast cancer were surveyed at 2 Canadian cancer centres. Results:Responses were received from 187 patients (94%). The route of vascular access was peripheral intravenous line (IV) in 24%, a peripherally inserted central catheter (picc) in 42%, and a surgically inserted central catheter (port) in 34%. Anthracycline-based regimens were associated with a greater

SUBMITTER: LeVasseur N 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC6092047 | biostudies-literature | 2018 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature