[Potential clinical impact of therapeutic education in patients treated with anticancer drugs]

Bull Cancer. 2011 Feb;98(2):176-81. doi: 10.1684/bdc.2011.1308.
[Article in French]

Abstract

The aim of our work was to assess the potential clinical impact of therapeutic education in patients treated with anticancer drugs. One hundred-one ambulatory adult patients (mean age: 60 years, range: 24-88) treated by anticancer chemotherapy were included. The occurrence of adverse events was reported by 83% of the patients. Twenty-one percent (14/67) of the patients were not compliant with their supportive care treatment, 60% (60/101) took over-the-counter medications (one contraindication identified) and 14% (14/101) claimed they had received no counsel on risk behaviour (UV exposure, lack of contraception, driving) from health care professionals. Overall, 11% (44/397) of adverse events were associated with a lack of information. Twelve percent (4/33) of the calls to the doctor, 6% (1/17) of the visits to the physician and 21% (3/14) of the hospitalizations could be associated with a lack of therapeutic education. These data enlighten the importance of therapeutic education of cancer patients treated by chemotherapy.

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Antineoplastic Agents / adverse effects*
  • Antineoplastic Agents / therapeutic use
  • Contraindications
  • Female
  • Health Surveys
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Neoplasms / drug therapy*
  • Patient Compliance*
  • Patient Education as Topic*
  • Prospective Studies
  • Risk-Taking
  • Self Medication
  • Young Adult

Substances

  • Antineoplastic Agents