An analysis of the relationship between cancer-related information seeking and adherence to breast cancer surveillance procedures after curative treatment

Background: Adherence to breast cancer surveillance is an important goal for women treated for breast cancer. Information engagement with cancer information from various sources has been shown to affect other cancer risk behaviors and may influence adherence to breast cancer surveillance behaviors among breast cancer survivors. Objective: To assess whether breast cancer survivors' active seeking of cancer-related information from various medical and nonmedical sources (i.e., interpersonal and media) influences their subsequent adherence to breast cancer surveillance. Methods: The study was a longitudinal survey among Pennsylvanian breast cancer patients diagnosed in 2005. Patients who were eligible for surveillance and participated in both the baseline and one-year follow-up surveys were included (n=352). The outcome measure was based on self-reported adherence to physical examination, mammography, and breast self-examination (BSE) at approximately two years after their initial diagnosis. Results: Controlling for potential confounders, higher levels of active seeking from nonmedical sources at baseline predicted increased odds of reporting adherence to a combined measure of surveillance one year later (OR=1.60, 95% CI=1.07 to 2.38, p=.021). However, adherence to physical examination and mammography was high and the main effect was driven by the relationship between seeking and regular BSE (OR=1.50, 95% CI=1.01 to 2.23, p=0.047). Conclusions: Greater engagement with cancer information from nonmedical sources was associated with breast cancer surveillance adherence and more specifically, with regular BSE. This finding has implications to promote adherence to surveillance among cancer survivors.