Effect of nurse case management on the treatment of older women with breast cancer

J Am Geriatr Soc. 2003 Sep;51(9):1252-9. doi: 10.1046/j.1532-5415.2003.51409.x.

Abstract

Objectives: To evaluate the effect of nurse case management on the treatment of older women with breast cancer.

Design: Randomized prospective trial.

Setting: Sixty surgeons practicing at 13 community and two public hospitals in southeast Texas.

Participants: Three hundred thirty-five women (166 control and 169 intervention) aged 65 and older newly diagnosed with breast cancer.

Intervention: Women seeing surgeons randomized to the intervention group received the services of a nurse case manager for 12 months after the diagnosis of breast cancer.

Measurements: The primary outcome was the type and use of cancer-specific therapies received in the first 6 months after diagnosis. Secondary outcomes were patient satisfaction and arm function on the affected side 2 months after diagnosis.

Results: More women in the intervention group received breast-conserving surgery (28.6% vs 18.7%; P=.031) and radiation therapy (36.0% vs 19.0%; P=.003). Of women undergoing breast-conserving surgery, greater percentages in the case management group received adjuvant radiation (78.3% vs 44.8%; P=.001) and axillary dissection (71.4% vs 44.8%; P=.057). Women in the case management group were also more likely to receive more breast reconstruction surgery (9.3% vs 2.6%, P=.054), and women in the case management group with advanced cancer were more likely to receive chemotherapy (72.7% vs 30.0%, P=.057). Two months after surgery, higher percentages of women in the case manager group had normal arm function (93% vs 84%; P=.037) and were more likely to state that they had a real choice in their treatment (82.2% vs 69.9%, P=.020). Women with indicators of poor social support were more likely to benefit from nurse case management.

Conclusion: Nurse case management results in more appropriate management of older women with breast cancer.

Publication types

  • Clinical Trial
  • Comparative Study
  • Randomized Controlled Trial

MeSH terms

  • Age Factors
  • Aged
  • Aged, 80 and over
  • Breast Neoplasms / nursing
  • Breast Neoplasms / psychology
  • Breast Neoplasms / surgery
  • Breast Neoplasms / therapy*
  • Case Management*
  • Data Interpretation, Statistical
  • Female
  • Geriatric Assessment
  • Health Services Accessibility*
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Middle Aged
  • Nurse's Role*
  • Patient Satisfaction
  • Physician's Role
  • Prospective Studies
  • Psychiatric Status Rating Scales
  • Social Support*
  • Socioeconomic Factors
  • Time Factors
  • Treatment Outcome