Patient Preference and Adherence

Patient Preferences and Long-term Adherence in Breast and Prostate Cancer: Navigating the Challenges of Survivorship and Chronic Treatment

Breast and prostate cancers currently rank among the most frequent malignancies worldwide. Although significant improvements in early detection and targeted therapies have remarkably extended survival rates, these advancements have also transformed many oncological cases into long-term chronic conditions. The ultimate success of these treatments relies heavily on the ability of the patient to adhere to complex and multi-year regimens, such as endocrine therapy or androgen deprivation therapy. Even though these therapies are clinically effective, they often bring significant side effects including vasomotor symptoms, sexual dysfunction, and emotional distress. These persistent challenges frequently lead patients to skip doses or abandon treatment entirely, which significantly increases the risk of disease recurrence. To improve long-term outcomes, it is essential to look deeper into how patients weigh these difficult trade-offs and identify what truly drives their preferences during the complex journey of cancer survivorship.