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This manuscript describes the Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) international consensus guidelines updated at the last two ABC international consensus conferences (ABC 6 in 2021, virtual, and ABC 7 in 2023, in Lisbon, Portugal), organized by the ABC Global Alliance. It provides the main recommendations on how to best manage patients with advanced breast cancer (inoperable locally advanced or metastatic), of all breast cancer subtypes, as well as palliative and supportive care. These guidelines are based on available evidence or on expert opinion when a higher level of evidence is lacking. Each guideline is accompanied by the level of evidence (LoE), grade of recommendation (GoR) and percentage of consensus reached at the consensus conferences. Updated diagnostic and treatment algorithms are also provided. The guidelines represent the best management options for patients living with ABC globally, assuming accessibility to all available therapies. Their adaptation (i.e. resource-stratified guidelines) is often needed in settings where access to care is limited.
ABSTRACT
OBJECTIVES: An overview of the best therapeutic approaches for the management of hormone receptor-positive, human epidermal growth factor receptor 2 (HER2)-negative advanced breast cancer is provided, and emerging treatment advances are discussed. Key nursing considerations and the role of the nurse in the provision of optimal care are explored. DATA SOURCES: Data sources include peer-reviewed articles sourced in electronic databases. CONCLUSION: With a multitude of current and emerging treatments for the management of hormone receptor-positive, HER2-negative advanced breast cancer, patients with this subtype have improved overall survival. It is essential that specialist nurses holistically support patients; this will ensure treatment adherence, leading to enhanced longevity and quality of life. IMPLICATIONS FOR NURSING PRACTICE: Nurses play an important role in patient education and the early identification and management of treatment toxicities. Nurses also need to monitor and facilitate adherence by identifying barriers and implementing strategies to overcome them, ultimately improving patient outcomes.
Subject(s)
Breast Neoplasms , Humans , Female , Breast Neoplasms/therapy , Quality of Life , Antineoplastic Combined Chemotherapy Protocols/therapeutic useABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: The majority of breast cancer survivors (BCSs) experience body image concerns following treatment. Body Image distress (BID) is associated with psychological distress and diminished quality of life. A web-based self-compassion focused writing activity (My Changed Body - MyCB) reduces BID in BCSs, yet limited research exists on participant characteristics associated with such intervention adherence. Self-compassion-based meditations are also efficacious in reducing BID in non-BCS populations. This parallel, double-blind pilot randomised controlled trial aimed to assess the feasibility and acceptability of MyCB, with and without an additional meditation component, on BID and related psychological outcomes in BCSs. The trial was registered with the Australian and New Zealand Clinical Trials Registry (#ACTRN12619001693112). METHODS: BCSs were randomly allocated to MyCB (n = 39), MyCB + Meditation (MyCB + M) (n = 17) or an expressive writing (EW) active control arm (n = 23). The primary outcome was BID. Secondary outcomes were body appreciation, affect (positive and negative), psychological distress (depression, anxiety and stress) and self-compassion (state and trait). Assessments were completed online at baseline, post-intervention and 1-month. RESULTS: Adherence to the MyCB writing (45%) and meditation (50%) was modest, and acceptability was high for both MyCB and MyCB + M. Intent to treat linear mixed model analyses indicated: Post-intervention - state self-compassion and positive affect increased for MyCB compared to EW; 1-month: BID scores decreased across all conditions; trait self-compassion increased and anxiety decreased for MyCB + M compared to MyCB and EW. CONCLUSION: These findings provide preliminary evidence for the efficacy and potential clinical use of the MyCB brief web-based self-compassion intervention alone and with the addition of meditation, to increase self-compassion and psychological wellbeing in BCSs.
ABSTRACT
A 70-year-old woman underwent adjuvant chemotherapy with dose-dense doxorubicin and cyclophosphamide for early breast cancer. After her fourth cycle of chemotherapy, she developed severe fatigue and cough with rapid-onset hypoxic respiratory failure. Investigations demonstrated extensive bilateral consolidation with positive bronchial washings for Pneumocystis jirovecii by polymerase chain reaction (PCR). Despite high-dose trimethoprim-sulfamethoxazole, she progressed to multi-organ failure and succumbed. Pneumocystis jirovecii pneumonia (PJP) has traditionally rarely occurred in women on adjuvant breast cancer chemotherapy but may pose a more serious risk in dose-dense regimes due to higher concurrent exposure to anti-emetic corticosteroids. Clinicians are alerted to the need for vigilance of this rare complication and for rationalization of dexamethasone dosage to mitigate this risk, particularly in the era of modern triple-agent anti-emetic regimens.
ABSTRACT
BACKGROUND: Neoadjuvant systemic therapy (NAST) can be used to treat breast cancer. Pathologic complete response (pCR) is a surrogate marker for improved survival. This study examined response in the breast and axilla to NAST and identified features associated with pCR. METHODS: Patients undergoing NAST and surgery between January 2012 and June 2016 by surgeons at Westmead Breast Cancer Institute were identified. Patients with inflammatory or metastatic disease were excluded. Data were analysed to identify factors predictive of pCR. RESULTS: Ninety-one patients were identified. Mean age was 49 years. Forty-one patients had axillary metastases identified prior to NAST. Eighty-three patients received chemotherapy alone, six endocrine therapy alone and two had both. Thirty-seven patients had mastectomy and 54 had breast-conserving surgery. The overall breast pCR rate was 29% higher in patients with triple-negative (50%) or HER2-positive (39%) disease and lower in luminal disease (11.6%, P = 0.001). Forty percent of node-positive patients became node negative. The only variable associated with pCR was tumour biology. Patients with HER2-positive breast cancer were more likely to have axillary pCR than those with luminal cancer (odds ratio: 28, P = 0.00005). CONCLUSION: pCR in either the breast or axilla was most likely to be achieved in patients with HER2-positive or triple-negative breast cancers. In patients with luminal cancers, the goal of NAST is best considered to facilitate surgical options rather than obtaining a pCR.
