Christie A. Befort|Jennifer R. Klemp
Sequelae of Breast Cancer and the Influence of Menopausal Status at Diagnosis Among Rural Breast Cancer Survivors
University of Kansas Medical Center|University of Kansas Medical Center
rural women among largest medically underserved groups nation yet studies evaluated sequelae breast cancer population purpose study examine physical psychosocial effects breast cancer experienced rural survivors time treatment currently examine differences effects younger older rural survivors based menopausal status diagnosiswomen treated breast cancer within past 6 years one three rural cancer centers mailed survey cover letter oncology providersurvey respondents n918 83 response rate 6713 years old average 32 years treatment 22 premenopausal time breast cancer diagnosis 95 postmenopausal time survey women premenopausal diagnosis significantly likely experience numerous symptoms time treatment currently including higher rates hot flashes vaginal dryness loss sexual desire weight gain p0001 common psychosocial concerns fear recurrence change body image women premenopausal diagnosis significantly likely postmenopausal women report experiencing concerns 68 vs 47 43 vs 27 respectively p0001negative physical psychosocial sequelae breast cancer common rural sample significantly worse premenopausal women research resources needed delivering targeted survivorship care rural women particularly younger rural women