Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Volume 40, Issue 3 , Pages 144-148, May 2008

Are Cancer Survivors/Patients Knowledgeable About Osteoporosis? Results from a Survey of 285 Chemotherapy-treated Cancer Patients and Their Companions

  • Heidi McKean, MD

      Affiliations

    • Department of Medicine, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Sherry Looker, RN

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Lynn C. Hartmann, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Suzanne R. Hayman, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Hematology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Judith S. Kaur, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Robert R. McWilliams, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Prema P. Peethambaram, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Jean F. Stahl, RN

      Affiliations

    • Department of Nursing, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • ,
  • Aminah Jatoi, MD

      Affiliations

    • Division of Medical Oncology, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, Minnesota
    • Corresponding Author InformationAddress for correspondence: Aminah Jatoi, MD, Division of Medical Oncology, 200 First Street SW, Rochester, Minnesota 55905; Phone: (507) 284-3902; Fax: (507) 284-1803

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.

Key Words: osteoporosis, knowledge, awareness, cancer, fracture

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 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.

PII: S1499-4046(07)00967-0

doi:10.1016/j.jneb.2007.08.009

Journal of Nutrition Education and Behavior
Volume 40, Issue 3 , Pages 144-148, May 2008

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