Patient evaluation of breast cancer follow-up: A Danish survey.

OBJECTIVE: The purpose of this study was to determine how age influences the degree to which patients with breast cancer feel comfortable with standard follow-up and to assess their satisfaction with the contact to health professionals.

METHODS: Data was from a Danish population-based questionnaire survey from 2012 including adult cancer patients. 1120 patients with breast cancer returned the questionnaire (response rate: 73%). Age groups were decided before conducting analyses.

RESULTS: Overall, patients with breast cancer evaluated the follow-up programme positively. However, in five of six items of interest, patients aged 40-49 and 50-59 years differed statistically significantly from patients ≥70 years, by being less comfortable with the follow-up, less satisfied with the health care professionals' ability to listen, and less satisfied with the health care professionals' answers. Satisfaction with the length of consultations, and the number of involved health care professionals were also lower in these age groups compared to patients ≥70 years.

CONCLUSION: Overall, satisfaction with follow-up was high, but considerable age-related variations were found.

PRACTICE IMPLICATIONS: The findings suggest a potential for improving the services provided for patients aged 40-59 years with breast cancer.