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Publications

Journal Article Ahead of print

PubMed: 41719679 DOI: 10.1016/j.breast.2026.104737

Biomarker recall and understanding among people living with metastatic breast cancer - results from an international patient survey.

Breast 86:104737

Authors: Eva Schumacher-Wulf, Lesley Fallowfield, Runcie C W Chidebe, Vicki Durston, Alexandru Eniu, Ranjit Kaur, Renate Haidinger, Nisha Pillay, Daniel Egbase, Yi Han, Fatima Cardoso

Affiliations

  • Mamma Mia! Magazine, Cologne, Germany.
  • Sussex Health Outcomes Research and Education in Cancer (SHORE-C), Brighton and Sussex Medical School, University of Sussex, Falmer, East Sussex, UK.
  • Project PINK BLUE - Health & Psychological Trust Centre, Abuja, Nigeria; Department of Sociology and Gerontology, Miami University, Oxford, OH, USA.
  • Breast Cancer Network Australia, Melbourne, VIC, Australia.
  • Genolier Cancer Center, Genolier, Switzerland; European School of Oncology, Bellinzona, CH, Switzerland.
  • National Cancer Society Malaysia, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia.
  • Brustkrebs Deutschland e.V. Munich, Germany.
  • VML Health, London, UK.
  • Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Global Alliance, Lisbon, Portugal.

Abstract

BACKGROUND

Scientific advancements have increased the use of biomarker testing for metastatic breast cancer (mBC) treatment decisions, adding complexity which may impact patient understanding. This study assesses patient recall and understanding of biomarker information and barriers to understanding diagnosis.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

An online, multi-language, 15-question multiple choice survey was distributed to people with a self-reported diagnosis of mBC through the Advanced Breast Cancer (ABC) Global Alliance. Data collected included patient demographics, disease history, information seeking behaviour, and barriers to learning about their breast cancer subtype.

RESULTS

Across 36 countries, 1064 respondents completed the survey. 81% recognised that their breast cancer subtype influences treatment decisions, though there was wide variation in patient recall of terminology used by their healthcare professionals (HCPs). Recall of the term 'biomarker' was low (8%). Geographical differences existed in patient recall of specific biomarkers used to describe mBC diagnosis; 'hormone receptor-positive (HR+)' recall was significantly higher for patients from North America (73%), compared with other regions (14%-56%). One-third (33%) of patients did not understand their breast cancer subtype and what it means. Only 44% of patients felt HCPs had given them sufficient information about their breast cancer subtype. A subset of patients (7%) reported not wanting to learn more, with the highest proportion from Latin America (17%).

CONCLUSIONS

Findings demonstrate limited patient recall and understanding of breast cancer biomarkers and subtype, with significant variation based on geography. Results may be used to improve two-way communication and patient understanding regarding biomarker status, to facilitate shared decision-making.

MeSH

Mental Recall, Breast Neoplasms, Neoplasms, Multiple Chronic Conditions, Biomarkers, Breast, Diagnosis, Therapeutics