Author Identifier (ORCID)
Jack Dalla Via: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1815-0838
Jonathan M. Hodgson: https://orcid.org/0000-0001-6184-7764
Joshua R. Lewis: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-1003-8443
Mandy Stanley: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-7958-5181
Mary A. Kennedy: https://orcid.org/0000-0002-1411-539X
Abstract
Purpose: Survival after a cancer diagnosis is improving, increasing the importance of understanding and managing long-term treatment-related adverse effects. This study aimed to understand breast and prostate cancer survivors’ understanding of how cancer treatment may affect cardiovascular and musculoskeletal health. Methods: Australian breast and prostate cancer survivors treated with therapies with known cardiovascular adverse effects were recruited via a private cancer care provider. Participants completed an online background questionnaire, then participated in a focus group. Focus groups were recorded, transcribed, then analysed using reflexive thematic analysis. Results: In total, 26 cancer survivors (15 breast, 11 prostate; mean age 67 years) participated in one of seven focus groups. Three major themes were developed: 1) Focus is on the here and now, not the future—participants were infrequently told that their cancer treatment can have negative long-term effects; 2) Wanting individualised delivery of side-effect information—participants received varying types and amounts of information about side effects, but it was not delivered in a way that best suited them; and 3) Left wondering how to best manage side effects—few participants were provided with information about how to manage long term side effects, despite wanting this information. Conclusion: Important information about long-term side effects of cancer treatment, and how to manage them, was inconsistently provided to breast and prostate cancer survivors. Information about long-term treatment side effects should be delivered in a flexible, individualised way to better enable cancer survivors to understand the risk and engage in preventative health behaviours.
Keywords
Cancer, Cardiovascular, Musculoskeletal, Survivorship, Treatment side effects
Document Type
Journal Article
Date of Publication
7-1-2025
Volume
33
Issue
7
Publication Title
Supportive Care in Cancer
Publisher
Springer
School
Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute / School of Medical and Health Sciences
Funders
Department of Health Western Australian Future Health and Innovation Fund / Nutrition and Health Innovation Research Institute at Edith Cowan University / Victorian Cancer Agency / National Heart Foundation of Australia (102817)
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 License.
Comments
Via, J. D., Andrew, C. R., Baguley, B. J., Stewart, N., Hodgson, J. M., Lewis, J. R., Stanley, M., & Kennedy, M. A. (2025). Breast and prostate cancer survivors’ understanding of risk and management of cardiovascular and musculoskeletal side effects of treatment: Findings from focus groups. Supportive Care in Cancer, 33. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-025-09642-z