Patient expectations of outcome from systemic treatment for metastatic breast cancer.

Objectives: The primary goal of treatment of metastatic breast cancer (MBC) is to improve patients' quality of life (QoL). This study aimed to explore the expectations of patients with metastatic breast cancer receiving systemic therapy. Design: A longitudinal qualitative approach was used in this study. Setting: The study was conducted in the breast clinic and the oncology department of a tertiary facility in Ghana. Participants: Fifty-six (56) women diagnosed with MBC aged between 18 and 75 years participated in the study. Intervention: In-depth interviews were conducted to explore participants' expectations regarding the systemic treatment they received before its initiation and 3 months after its initiation. The data was analysed thematically. Results: At the start of treatment, participants expected to be healed or cured, to avoid death, to experience improvement in their symptoms, and to be able to perform their usual functions/roles. At three months follow-up, 50% of the women had died. Of the 28 who were alive, some had experienced improvement in their symptoms, some had no change, and others had deteriorated. The cost of treatment was a concern. Conclusion: Women with MBC have unfeasible expectations of a cure from the treatment they receive. After starting systemic treatment for their disease, symptoms improved for some participants, while others deteriorated. Mortality among women with MBC is high. Funding: None declared.