Quality of life and symptoms in male breast cancer survivors

Kathryn J Ruddy; Anita Giobbie-Hurder; Sharon H Giordano; Shari Goldfarb; Sandra Kereakoglow; Eric P Winer; Ann H Partridge

doi:10.1016/j.breast.2012.12.014

Quality of life and symptoms in male breast cancer survivors

Breast. 2013 Apr;22(2):197-199. doi: 10.1016/j.breast.2012.12.014. Epub 2013 Jan 11.

Authors

Kathryn J Ruddy¹, Anita Giobbie-Hurder², Sharon H Giordano³, Shari Goldfarb⁴, Sandra Kereakoglow², Eric P Winer², Ann H Partridge²

Affiliations

¹ Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA. Electronic address: kruddy@partners.org.
² Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, 450 Brookline Ave, Boston, MA 02215, USA.
³ The University of Texas M.D. Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX, USA.
⁴ Memorial Sloan-Kettering Cancer Center, New York, NY, USA.

PMID: 23313328
DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2012.12.014

Abstract

Introduction: Little is known about quality of life and symptoms of male breast cancer survivors.

Patients and methods: We recruited men with stage 0-4 breast cancer for an on-line survey through www.outoftheshadowofpink.com, www.malebreastcancer.org, and www.malebreastcancer.ca. Surveys included expanded prostate cancer index composite (EPIC) hormonal/sexual scales, hospitalized anxiety and depression scale (HADS), Functional Assessment of Cancer Therapy-Breast (FACT-B), sociodemographic/disease-related, genetic, and fertility-related items.

Results: Forty-two responded. Mean EPIC Sexual and Hormonal scores were 44.5 and 81.3, respectively, suggesting symptom burden. Mean FACT-B score was 111.1, consistent with impaired overall quality of life.

Conclusions: Male survivors experience substantial sexual and hormonal symptoms.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Adult
Breast Neoplasms, Male / diagnosis*
Breast Neoplasms, Male / mortality
Breast Neoplasms, Male / psychology
Health Surveys
Humans
Male
Quality of Life*
Survivors