Chemotherapy - Induced Alopecia and Symptom Distress in Younger and Older Women with Breast Cancer: Intergroup Differences and Impact on Functional Status
Abstract
The purpose of this training grant is to facilitate development of breast cancer(BC) clinical research skills, particularly related to issues relevant to older women. Scope: The research training program encompasses didactic coursework, secondary analysis, and dissertation research within the doctoral program at the School of Nursing, and intensive mentored clinical research training at the Abramson Cancer Center, both at the University of Pennsylvania. Major findings: A secondary analysis was conducted to longitudinally compare symptom distress and functional status in older (n=26) versus younger (n=163) women receiving 4-8 cycles of adjuvant BC chemotherapy. Older women trended towards greater declines in functional status from baseline to cycle 4. Age, baseline functional status, and coincident change in symptom distress together explained 55.9% of the variance in functional status change between cycle 1 and 4 (p<0.0001), with age >60 predicting greater declines in functional status between cycle 1 and 4. Finally, younger women's functional status scores recovered significantly more than those of older women between baseline and 1-3 months post-treatment. Progress: Secondary analysis is complete with final results presented nationally in 11/05. PhD candidacy has been achieved. All 13 required courses for the PhD have been completed, the dissertation research proposal defended, the preliminary exams defended, and ongoing dissertation data collection will be completed by 3rd quarter 2006. As a result of work related to this training grant, the PI is a Co-Investigator on a R01 grant application submitted 6/1/06 to the National Institutes of Health (PI: Kathryn Schmitz, PhD), as well as two submitted foundation grants.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Aug 01, 2006
- Accession Number
- ADA461944
Entities
People
- Carrie T. Stricker
Organizations
- University of Pennsylvania