Perceived barriers to treatment may predict patient nonadherence to aromatase inhibitors for women with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer, claims a study published in Cancer.
While patient nonadherence to cancer treatment plans has been well documented, much less is known about whether or not health beliefs influence patient nonadherence. Therefore, researchers led by Jun J Mao, MD, MSCE, Memorial Sloan Kettering Cancer Center (New York, NY), conducted a study evaluating the relationship between health beliefs (perceived susceptibility to breast cancer, perceived benefits of AI treatment, and barriers to AI treatment) and adherence to AIs.
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A total of 437 postmenopausal women with early-stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer receiving treatment with AIs were included in the study. These patients completed the 3-factor Health Beliefs and Medication Adherence in Breast Cancer Scale and questionnaires on their demographics and symptoms. Adherence data (treatment gaps and premature discontinuation) were abstracted from participants' medical charts.
Using logistic regression analyses, the researchers found that 93 patients (21.3%) were nonadherent. Patients who perceived greater barriers to their treatment were more likely to demonstrate AI nonadherence behaviors by the end of the treatment period, which was not observed in those who reported fewer barriers. In contrast, perceived susceptibility to cancer recurrence and perceived benefits of AIs did not seem to predict AI adherence.
Thus, researchers concluded that perceived barriers may be an indicator of patient nonadherence to AIs. Interventions addressing negative concerns in women with early stage, estrogen receptor-positive breast cancer should be considered in order to optimize adherence to treatment regimens.
