Objectives: To identify symptom clusters in breast cancer survivors and to determine sociodemographic and clinical characteristics influencing symptom cluster membership.
Sample and setting: The authors performed a cross-sectional secondary analysis of data obtained from a community-based cancer registry-linked survey with 1,500 breast cancer survivors 6-13 months following a breast cancer diagnosis.
Methods and variables: Symptom clusters were identified using latent class profile analysis of four patient-reported symptoms (pain, fatigue, sleep disturbance, and depression) with custom PROMIS® short forms.
Results: Four distinct classes were identified.
Implications for nursing: Common symptom clusters may lead to better prevention and treatment strategies that target a group of symptoms. Results also suggest that certain factors place patients at high risk for symptom burden, which can guide tailored interventions.
Keywords: breast cancer; survivors; symptom burden; symptom clusters.