4 research outputs found
Presence and Distress of Chemotherapy-Induced Peripheral Neuropathy Symptoms in Upper Extremities of Younger and Older Breast Cancer Survivors
Purpose: The purposes of this study were to determine whether the presence of upper extremity chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy (CIPN) symptoms (burning, pins/needles, numbness, pain, and skin crawls) among breast cancer survivors (BCS) varied according to age (â€45 years or 55â70 years) and to examine age group differences in upper extremity CIPN symptom distress.
Methods: The study was a secondary analysis of younger (n = 505) and older (n = 622) BCS. Inclusion criteria were age of â€45 years or 55â70 years; patient at 3â8 years postdiagnosis; patient received the chemotherapy regimen of paclitaxel, doxorubicin, and cyclophosphamide; and patient did not have recurrence. The Symptom Survivor Checklist was used to assess presence and distress of upper extremity CIPN symptoms. Analyses explored whether age group predicted CIPN symptom presence and distress while controlling for sociodemographic and medical variables.
Results: Older BCS reported fewer pins/needles, numbness, and pain symptoms (odds ratios: 0.623â0.751). Heart disease (odds ratios: 1.59â1.70) and progesterone-negative breast cancer (odds ratio: 0.663) were significantly associated with one or more CIPN symptoms. Symptom distress ratings did not differ by age groups; both age groups indicated distress from CIPN symptoms, with 25% or more reporting distress as âmoderatelyâ or âquite a bit.â
Conclusions: Younger BCS reported more upper extremity CIPN symptoms. BCS in both groups continued to report bothersome CIPN symptoms years after treatment. Study findings will assist clinicians in identifying BCS at higher risk for upper extremity CIPN as well as inform development of appropriate tailored interventions to mitigate these symptoms and facilitate restoration to age-related baseline function, thereby improving quality of life for BCS
Evaluating the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms (CIPN-sx) on perceived ability to work in breast cancer survivors during the first year post-treatment
Purpose: To describe the impact of chemotherapy-induced peripheral neuropathy symptoms (CIPN-sx) on breast cancer survivorsâ (BCS) perceived ability to work post-treatment. Methods: The sample included 22 chemotherapy-treated (Ctx+) and 22 chemotherapy-naĂŻve (Ctxâ) female BCS. Data was collected at the following three time points: baseline (post-surgery, pre-chemotherapy), 1Â month (1Â M) post-chemotherapy, and approximately 1Â year (1Â Y) later. The presence, frequency, number, and severity of CIPN-sx were self-reported using the Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy/Gynecologic Oncology GroupâNeurotoxicity questionnaire (FACT/GOG-Ntx) version 4, a validated 11-item CIPN measure. Perceived ability to work was measured using an item from the Functional Well-Being subscale of the FACT/GOG-Ntx. Results: At 1Â Y, more than 50Â % of Ctx+ reported discomfort, numbness, or tingling in their hands or feet; weakness; or difficulty feeling small objects. The presence, number, and severity of these symptoms were correlated with being less able to work for Ctx+ at 1Â M but not 1Â Y. Results of a regression analysis using CIPN-sx to predict work ability found that models combining (1) hand numbness and trouble feeling small objects, (2) trouble buttoning buttons and trouble feeling small objects, (3) foot numbness and foot pain, (4) foot numbness and trouble walking, and (5) trouble hearing and hand pain each predicted survivors who were ânot at allâ able to work at 1Â M. Conclusions: Unresolved CIPN-sx may play a role in challenges working for BCS post-treatment. These findings highlight the need for research to explore the impact that CIPN-sx have on BCSâ ability to work, as well as the development of interventions to improve work function in BCS with CIPN-sx