More than Half Breast Cancer Patients Fail to Take Medication

A recent survey reported that more than half of women who suffer from breast cancer fail to take their medication that could cut reduce their pains and symptoms. Some of the women admitted they deliberately skipped taking their drugs, while others forgot to take them. Besides surgery, radiotherapy and chemotherapy, breast cancer sufferers are due to take follow up drugs often consisting in a daily hormone tablet or a monthly injection. The treatment lasts for at least 5 years.

The study was carried out by a team of medical experts from the Cancer Research UK's Psychosocial Oncology Group at the Brighton and Sussex Medical School at the University of Sussex and their findings are going to be published in the September issue of the European Journal of Cancer.

Lead author of the study, Louise Atkins stated:" These results confirm that some women choose not to take their breast cancer medication: The findings are concerning because not taking a full course of medication could impact on how effective a treatment will be. Reasons for not taking medication include difficulty swallowing tablets and the side effects of medication. If we can understand more about the reasons why some women do not take their medication, then we will be in a better position to help women overcome these difficulties."

Experts involved in the study interviewed 131 women who had been suffering for more than two years of breast cancer and received medication at the moment the investigation was performed. 72 women admitted they skipped taking their medication from time to time, out of which 12 women said they deliberately did not take their drugs, while the rest stated they simply forgot about the medicine.

Professor John Toy, Medical Director at Cancer Research UK, warned: "It is vital that women with breast cancer do not deny themselves the chance of the maximum possible benefit from their medication. It is important that women are as well informed as possible about both the benefits and side effects of their medication and so know what to expect. Clear communication can help to ensure that doctors are better informed about how women are dealing with their treatment so as to help reduce any negative impact that treatments might have."