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.
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