UCSF

Background

A comprehensive assessment of Spanish-speaking breast cancer survivors' (SSBCS) survivorship needs is lacking.

Objective

Assess SSBCS' post-treatment symptom management, psychosocial, and informational needs.

Methods

118 telephone surveys and 25 in-person semi-structured interviews with SSBCS, and semi-structured interviews with 5 support providers and 4 physicians who serve SSBCS from 5 Northern California counties.

Results

Surveys identified the most bothersome (bothered by it in the past month "somewhat/quite a bit/a lot") physical symptoms as: joint pain, fatigue, hot flashes, numbness in hands/feet, and vaginal dryness. The most bothersome emotional symptoms were thoughts of recurrence/new cancers, depression/sadness, anxieties, and stress. Seven themes emerged from interviews: 1) unmet physical symptom management needs; 2) social support from family/friends often ends when treatment is completed; 3) challenges resuming roles; 5) sense of abandonment by health care system when treatment ends; 6) need for formal transition from active treatment to follow-up care; 6) fear of recurrence especially when obtaining follow-up care; and 7) desire for information on late effects of initial treatments and side effects of hormonal treatments. Based on survey and interview results, we present a conceptual framework for survivorship care interventions for SSBCS.

Limitations

Sample may not represent SSBCS' concerns seen outside of Northern California hospitals.

Conclusions

Physical and psychosocial symptoms were common. SSBCS need culturally appropriate survivorship care programs that address symptom management, psychosocial concerns, follow-up care, and healthy lifestyles.