Are Cancer Survivors/Patients Knowledgeable About Osteoporosis? Results from a Survey of 285 Chemotherapy-treated Cancer Patients and Their Companions
Abstract
Objective
This study assessed osteoporosis knowledge deficits among cancer patients and their spouses/partners.
Design
Single-institution survey (modified version of the Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool).
Setting
The Mayo Clinic in Rochester, Minnesota.
Participants
Consecutive chemotherapy-treated cancer patients (n = 285) with their spouses/partners (n = 101).
Outcome Measures
The main outcome was the percentage of cancer patients who incorrectly conveyed that 1) cancer treatment strengthens bones (or did not know) and/or 2) male cancer patients are not at risk for osteoporosis (or did not know).
Analyses
Test scores and 95% confidence intervals (CI) as well as the correlation between patient and spouse/partner scores, are reported.
Results
39% of patients (95% CI, 32% - 48%) thought cancer treatment strengthened bones or did not know, and 39% (95% CI, 32% - 48%) either answered that osteoporosis almost never occurred in men or did not know. The mean correct score on the modified Osteoporosis Knowledge Assessment Tool was 6.7 (95% CI, 6.7, 7.9), and scores from patients correlated with companion scores (r = 0.42; P < .001).
Conclusions and Implications
Chemotherapy-treated cancer patients and their companions have knowledge deficits concerning osteoporosis. Educational initiatives to increase awareness may be of value.
1Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
2Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
3Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
4Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
Address for correspondence: Aminah Jatoi, MD, Division of Medical Oncology, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Phone: (507) 284-3902; Fax: (507) 284-1803
This study was funded in part by the Small Grants Program from the Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, and the Centers for Disease Control.
ABSTRACT