1 Oncology Unit, Department of Radiology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria. 2 Department of Pharmacology, Lagos State University College of Medicine, Ikeja, Nigeria. 3 Department of Radiotherapy, Lagos University Teaching Hospital, Idiaraba, Nigeria. 4 Department of Surgery, Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, Nigeria.
Background: Breast cancer is one of the most common malignant diseases in women and adjuvant combination chemotherapy has been shown to reduce mortality from this disease. Adherence to medical treatment is a multifaceted issue that can substantially alter the outcomes of therapy. Patient non-adherence to chemotherapy is the ultimate barrier to the treatment effectiveness. Objective: This study was carried out to determine the relationship between cancer chemotherapy adherence and breast cancer staging, patient’s perception of cancer care and patient’s socio-demographic characteristics. Material and method: This was a cross sectional study selection of respondents and was based on simple random sampling technique, 184 patients were interviewed and data was collected using a semi-structured questionnaire to obtain socio-demographic data, adherence data, and facility-related information. Results: There was a significant association between marital status and non-adherence (P = 0.013). Both separated and single subjects had higher proportion of non-adherence compared with married subjects. Analysis of perception of chemotherapy care revealed a significant association between the satisfaction score and non-adherence, with non-adherent patients showing higher scores or being less satisfied. The quality of service (P = 0.0052); rating of needs been met (P = 0.0079); rating on whether the services helped the subject (P = 0.0405); rating on the general satisfaction of the services provided (P = 0.0115); and rating on whether subject would seek help again (P = 0.0320) all had a significant association with non-adherence. Conclusion: The awareness of oncologist and patient of the problem of non-adherence and communication regarding the importance of adherence to therapy may improve health outcomes.
Abiodun, P. , Makanjuola, S. , Anthonia, S. , Adaeze, I. , Oludara, M. , Nasir, I. and Foluso, O. (2015) Level of Adherence to Cytotoxic Drugs by Breast Cancer Patients’ in Lagos State University Teaching Hospital. Journal of Cancer Therapy, 6, 383-389. doi: 10.4236/jct.2015.64041.
[1] Qiao, E.Q., Ji, M.H., Wu, J.Z., Li, J., Xu, X.Y., Ma, R., Zhang, Z.H., He, Y.J., Zha, Q.B., Song, X., Zhu, L.W. and Tang, J.-H. (2013) Joint Detection of Multiple Immunohistochemical Indices and Clinical Significance in Breast Cancer. Molecular and Clinical Oncology, 1, 703-710. [2] Popoola, A.O., Ogunleye, O.O., Ibrahim, N.A., Omodele, F.O. and Igwilo, A.I. (2012) Five Year Survival of Patients with Breast Cancer at the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Nigeria. Online Journal of Medicine and Medical Science Research, 1, 24-31. [3] Miller, E., Lee, H.J., Lulla, A., Hernandez, L., Gokare, P. and Lim, B. (2014) Current Treatment of Early Breast Cancer: Adjuvant and Neoadjuvant Therapy. Version 1, F1000 Research, 3, 198. [4] Brezden, C.B., Phillips, K.-A., Abdolell, M., Buston, T. and Tannock, I.F. (2000) Cognitive Function in Breast Cancer Patients Receiving Adjuvant Chemotherapy. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 18, 2695-2701. [5] Partridge, A.H., LaFountain, A., Mayer, E., Taylor, B.S., Winer, E. and Asnis-Alibozek, A. (2008) Adherence to Initial Adjuvant Anastrozole Therapy among Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 26, 556-562. [6] Partridge, A.H., Archer, L., Kornblith, A.B., Gralow, J., Grenier, D., Perez, E., Wolff, A.C., Wang, X.F., Kastrissios, H., Berry, D., Hudis, C., Winer, E. and Muss, H. (2010) Adherence and Persistence with Oral Adjuvant Chemotherapy in Older Women with Early-Stage Breast Cancer in CALGB 49907: Adherence Companion Study 60104. Journal of Clinical Oncology, 28, 2418-2422. [7] American College of Preventive Medicines (2011) Medication Adherence: Improving Health Outcomes.
http://www.acpm.org/?MedAdhereTTProviders. [8] Brown, M.T. and Bussell, J.K. (2011) Medication Adherence: WHO Cares? Mayo Clinical Proceedings, 86, 304-314.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4065/mcp.2010.0575 [9] Cramer, J.A., Roy, A., Burrell, A., Fairchild, C.J., Fuldeore, M.J., Ollendorf, D.A. and Wong, P.K. (2008) Medication Compliance and Persistence: Terminology and Definitions. Value in Health, 11, 44-47. [10] Wyld, L. (2013) The Optimal Approach to Early Breast Cancer. EJC Supplements, 11, 1-2.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.ejcsup.2013.07.026 [11] Osterberg, L. and Blaschke, T. (2005) Adherence to medication. The New England Journal of Medicine, 353, 487-497.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1056/NEJMra050100 [12] Fernandes, A.F., Cruz, A., Moreira, C., Santos, M.C. and Silva, T. (2014) Social Support Provided to Women Undergoing Breast Cancer Treatment: A Study Review. Advances in Breast Cancer Research, 3, 47-53.
http://dx.doi.org/10.4236/abcr.2014.32007 [13] Arora, N.K., Rutten, L.J.F., Gustafson, D.H., Moser, R. and Hawkins, R.P. (2007) Perceived Helpfulness and Impact of Social Support Provided by Family, Friends, and Health Care Providers to Women Newly Diagnosed with Breast Cancer. Psycho-Oncology, 16, 474-486.
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/pon.1084 [14] Sheppard, V.B., Christopher, J. and Nwabukwu, I. (2010) Breaking the Silence Barrier: Opportunity to Address Cancer in African-Born Women. Journal of the National Medical Association, 102, 461-468. [15] Anyanwu, S.N.C., Egwuonwu, O.A. and Ihekwoaba, E.C. (2011) Acceptance and Adherence to Treatment among Breast Cancer Patients in Eastern Nigeria. Breast, 20, S51-S53.
www.elsevier.com/brst [16] Adisa, A.O., Lawal, O.O. and Adesunkanmi, A.R.K. (2008) Evaluation of Patients’ Adherence to Chemotherapy for Breast Cancer. African Journal of Health Science, 15, 22-27. [17] Reeler, A.V., Sikorayz, K. and Solomonx, B. (2008) Overcoming Challenges of Cancer Treatment Programmes in Developing Countries: A Sustainable Breast Cancer Initiative in Ethiopia. Clinical Oncology, 20, 191-198.