Noncompliance with Breast Cancer Medication
I just read this great post over at Mental and Emotional Health about pharmaceutical noncompliance. Noncompliance is a huge issue in the breast cancer world — so huge I thought I’d touch upon it here.
A 2006 study at the Dana-Farber Cancer Institute stated that 1 in 5 patients may not adhere to prescribed hormone therapy. Hormone therapy that is intended to prevent recurrence and keep survivors alive.
There has been tons of research into just how dangerous this is for a survivor (just read these findings from a study covered in the European Journal of Cancer).
Some noncompliance is due to forgetfulness; face it, we’re all quite busy. My OB/GYN has been telling me for the last twenty years to take a daily multivitamin and do I always remember? Hardly. Thank God I’m better at giving my kids their Flintstones vitamins each morning.
Some people might not understand their dosage instructions and find themselves too embarrassed to ask for clarification (especially if they’ve asked before). Please don’t feel this way … you can ask them over and over and over again if you need to. It’s their job to help you and they want to help you, too.
Cost might be an issue for some people. There are resources though, please don’t let this stop you — look to the National Cancer Institute for information on financial assistance.
There are those blasted side effects … the most likely culprit. I can’t say much about this because you do have to weigh the pros and cons. But each time I’ve done this, life with side effects wins over the alternative each time.
Finally, there’s denial … please don’t let this be your reason not to take medication. You’ve had breast cancer, it was real, and if you aren’t able to come to really recognize this … I’d love for you to get help. Your emotional health matters just as much as your physical health.
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