LONG-TERM SURVIVORS OF BREAST CANCER DIAGNOSIS: A DESCRIPTIVE STUDY ON RISK FACTORS, CHARACTERISTICS OF THE DISEASE AND ON LIFESTYLES OF A COHORT OF WOMEN ATTENDING A TERRITORIAL ONCOLOGICAL SERVICE.

Abstract

The role of a healthy lifestyle in improving the prognosis of many cancers is well known. The aim of this study is to describe the characteristics and lifestyles of a cohort of long-term breast cancer survivors in order to gain useful information to plan targeted educational interventions. This retrospective study involved patients registered at the Oncology Service of the ASL. Napoli 1 who had survived at least 5 years post-diagnosis of breast cancer. The data were collected both from the medical records and through a telephone interview. Statistical analysis was performed with Stata 10.1. The study found that there is a high proportion of women diagnosed under the age of 40, and with second primary neoplasms, however with a fairly high average survival rate. The women interviewed displayed a good willingness to be healthy, but intervention is still required regarding obesity and being overweight.

Keywords

• Territorial oncological service
• Breast cancer
• Long-term survivors
• Lifestyle