Morbidity of tamoxifen-perceptions of patients and healthcare professionals

There is little published data comparing patients' and doctors' perceptions of tamoxifen-related morbidity and toxicity, in particular in terms of side-effects which are not medically serious but which disrupt quality of life. We undertook a questionnaire-based study of 210 randomly selected, disease-free pre- and post-menopausal breast cancer patients to assess perceived morbidity whilst taking tamoxifen. We also questioned 143 healthcare professionals, including nurses, GPs and oncologists, on their opinions of tamoxifen-related side-effects. This study suggests that patients experience significant morbidity while taking adjuvant tamoxifen but will tolerate this for the sake of anticipated benefits. Healthcare professionals particularly hospital-based doctors and specialist nurses tend to overestimate the prevalence and severity of tamoxifen-associated symptoms. (C) 2002 Published by Elsevier Science Ltd.