The
GAEA Initiative:
Survey
Rationale and Methodology
Background
Information
Women who have had surgical
treatment for early breast cancer are at risk of local or distant recurrence
and of developing a tumour in the other breast. The risk for an individual woman is not well defined and it
is difficult for doctors to provide definitive advice about this risk. Adjuvant
endocrine therapy is used in the treatment of women with hormone responsive
breast cancer to reduce the risk of recurrence. The treatment traditionally lasts five years,
although this can be extended for an additional five years to further reduce
the risk of recurrence. Little is
currently known about womenÕs experience of and knowledge about adjuvant
endocrine therapy. Filling this gap
in medical knowledge was the key driver behind The GAEA Initiative.
The GAEA Initiative involves a
large European survey of post-menopausal women undergoing adjuvant endocrine
therapy for early breast cancer.
The survey set out to determine post-menopausal patientsÕ
knowledge about the risk of recurrence in early breast cancer, define their understanding
of the purpose of adjuvant endocrine treatment, their attitudes towards it and
to identify their informational and support needs, and how these can be met.
Who participated in
the GAEA survey?
The survey was conducted among
post-menopausal women in nine European countries (Austria, France, Germany, Hungary,
Italy, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland and the United Kingdom). A total of 547 questionnaires were analysed.
|
Country |
Number of questionnaires
analysed |
|
Austria |
34 |
|
France |
92 |
|
Germany |
82 |
|
Hungary |
34 |
|
Italy |
90 |
|
Spain |
71 |
|
Sweden |
36 |
|
Switzerland |
12 |
|
UK |
96 |
|
TOTAL |
547 |
Women were eligible to complete
the survey if they had been diagnosed with early breast cancer (defined as localised
to the breast tissue and/or nearby lymph nodes), were post-menopausal, currently
receiving adjuvant endocrine therapy that commenced at least one year ago and
lived in one of the nine survey countries listed above.
How was the survey
conducted?
The GAEA research was divided
into two stages: qualitative and
quantitative. In both cases, the
research was carried out by independent research agency Adelphi International
Research.
STAGE I: QUALITATIVE
The qualitative stage of the
research, carried out in a small group of patients in January and February 2006,
aimed to identify the correct issues
of importance to
patients from different regions and to determine the appropriate level of
language to be used in the questionnaire.
Insights from this stage of the research formed the basis of the
development of the quantitative second stage of the research.
A purposive sample of 32 women with early
breast cancer took part in either one-to-one interviews or a focus group (in
Sweden).
Interviews were recorded, transcribed and analysed in the local
language.
This initial research gathered
information on: attitudinal aspects of adjuvant endocrine therapy; patientsÕ understanding of the purpose
of adjuvant endocrine treatment and the risk of recurrence; attitudes towards
adjuvant endocrine treatment; information and support and involvement in the decision
making process relating to the selection of endocrine treatment.
STAGE II:
QUANTITATIVE
Stage II of the research was carried out
from May to July 2006 and the data analysis was completed
in August 2006. A much larger sample
of patients was recruited into the second stage of research, with the aim of gathering
detailed insight into breast cancer patientsÕ knowledge about and attitudes
towards adjuvant endocrine therapy and their level of awareness of the risk of
recurrence.
Recruitment
The GAEA survey was publicised via
the GAEA collaborating organisations, other European patient advocacy groups as
well as through advertisements in the press and the Internet. To assist in
patient recruitment, an informational flyer was prepared and a free phone
number was provided for patients to call for additional information on GAEA prior
to committing to the survey. Posters were also displayed in pharmacies and
clinics to aid recruitment.
Methodology
Several methods of completing
the GAEA questionnaire were available to women who wished to participate in the
survey: self-completion and returning questionnaire by post using a pre-paid
envelope; self-completion by Internet (UK language and Austria only); interviewer
assistance by telephone using a free phone number; or interviewer assistance in
person.
Written information was provided
to all patients, including a summary of the survey objectives, a brief description
of the process and expectations of the patient, and a free phone number for
further information.
The questionnaire was divided
into three sections:
In order to encourage honest and
open responses from patients the survey was analysed anonymously, and personal
details of participants were not be shared with any third party.
How will the survey
results be communicated?
The topline survey results are presented
at the 31st congress of the European Society for Medical Oncology (ESMO), 29
September to 3 October 2006, Istanbul, Turkey. In addition, the GAEA data will be published in a GAEA
Survey Report and will be submitted as manuscripts to peer review papers.
ENDS
For further
information, please contact:
Moira Gitsham, tel +33 5 46 00 08 20, mob: + 33 6 20 74 01 92 email: moira.gitsham@toniclc.com
Matthew Kent, tel +44 207 798 9900, mob: + 44 7899 876
685, email: matthew.kent@toniclc.com