Medical and information needs among young women with breast cancer in Mexico.

OBJECTIVE: To describe clinical and information needs, identify unmet support services and guide interventions for young breast cancer (BC) patients in Mexico.

METHODS: Cross-sectional, qualitative study, using interpretive description methodology. Patients with initial BC diagnosis within 6-12 months prior to enrolment, ≤40 years old and literate were included in focus groups.

RESULTS: Twenty-nine patients were included. Expressed needs were classified into the following categories: (a) understanding diagnosis and treatment; (b) treatment side effects; and (c) time, source and communication means. Patients felt their medical team did not provide enough information regarding diagnosis, treatment and relevant side effects related to fertility, menopause and sexuality. Lack of information fuelled uncertainty, distress, anxiety and fear, and could negatively influence treatment decisions. Patients wished that news be communicated considering their own attitude regarding the disease and providing psychological support when necessary, including partners, relatives and friends. They recommended that information should be delivered with an empathic and personalised approach, with take-home educational material to help them recall, comprehend and/or expand verbal information received during medical appointments.

CONCLUSIONS: This study provides valuable insight to increase attention on unmet needs of young BC patients and to improve doctor-patient communication to ensure better care.