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Awareness, concern, and communication between physicians and patients on bone health in cancer

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Abstract

Purpose

This study aims to explore physician–patient communications about bone metastases and cancer treatment-induced bone loss (CTIBL).

Methods

The study utilizes online survey of patients with breast cancer, prostate cancer, and multiple myeloma, and the physicians who treat them.

Results

Even though 69 and 48 % of patients with nonmetastatic breast and prostate cancer aware of treatment-induced bone loss, only 39 and 23 %, respectively, were concerned about bone loss. Yet, 62 and 71 % of oncologists treating breast and prostate cancer felt that their patients were concerned. Among patients with metastatic breast and prostate cancer, two thirds had not discussed treatment for bone metastases with their doctor; when discussed, 88 and 91 % of discussions were initiated by the doctor, usually prior to initiating treatment. Most myeloma patients (77 %) had discussed treatment options with their physicians; 99 % of hematologists reported discussing treatment of bone disease with patients.

Conclusions

Physicians are primary sources of information to patients regarding bone health. There is a gap between what physicians assume their patients know about bone health and the patients’ perceptions, presenting a need for systematic awareness and education.

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Acknowledgments

The survey was sponsored by Amgen. The authors thank Supriya Srinivasan, PhD, of Scientia Medical Communications, LLC, for assistance with writing and editing this manuscript.

Conflict of interest

BM was an employee of Amgen at the time the study was conducted and owns Amgen stock. JWM is on Amgen’s speaker bureau for the use of denosumab in prostate cancer. DT, BGMD, and KSF have no conflicts of interest to disclose.

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Authors and Affiliations

  1. USC/Norris Comprehensive Cancer Center, University of Southern California, 1441 Eastlake Ave., #3447, Los Angeles, CA, 90033, USA

    Debu Tripathy

  2. Cedars-Sinai Outpatient Cancer Center, 8700 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles, CA, 90048, USA

    Brian G. M. Durie

  3. Vantage Oncology, 1500 Rosecrans Ave # 400, Manhattan Beach, CA 90266, USA

    Beatrice Mautner

  4. MSLGROUP Americas, 375 Hudson St, New York, NY, 10019, USA

    Krag S. Ferenz

  5. Division of Urology and Duke Cancer Institute, Duke University Medical Center, 20 Duke Medicine Circle, Durham, NC, 27710, USA

    Judd W. Moul

Authors
  1. Debu Tripathy
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  2. Brian G. M. Durie
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  3. Beatrice Mautner
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  4. Krag S. Ferenz
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  5. Judd W. Moul
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to Debu Tripathy.

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Tripathy, D., Durie, B.G.M., Mautner, B. et al. Awareness, concern, and communication between physicians and patients on bone health in cancer. Support Care Cancer 22, 1601–1610 (2014). https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2127-1

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/s00520-014-2127-1

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