Outcome analysis of breast cancer patients who declined evidence-based treatment

Breast cancer is the second leading cause of cancer-related death (14%) among Canadian women, with an estimated 23,400 new cases and 5,100 deaths in 2011.¹ In Canada, 1 in 9 (11%) women is expected to develop breast cancer during their lifetime, and 1 in 29 (4%) die of it [1]. Breast cancer management involves either modified radical mastectomy (MRM) or breast conservation surgery (BCS) as the primary treatment modality followed by adjuvant treatments based on pathological characteristics. A 20-year update of the National Surgical Adjuvant Breast and Bowel Project (NSABP) study reported an overall survival benefit of 45–49% among women treated with mastectomy, and 44–48% survival benefit for those underwent lumpectomy and breast irradiation [2]. In case of locally advanced or inoperable breast cancer, neoadjuvant chemotherapy or radiotherapy has been considered for downsizing and downstaging the tumor. Kuerer et al. reported an overall 5-year survival rate of 82% and 66%, respectively, when segmental mastectomy with axillary dissection or modified radical mastectomy was used, following neoadjuvant chemotherapy [3].

Despite all efforts of the physicians, some patients may decline the offered standard treatments. Although a patient’s decision to refuse cancer treatment may be hard to accept by the physician, this option is well within their rights. Women with a diagnosis of breast cancer can refuse their treatment partly or completely. The reasons for such decisions could be multifactorial. Little attention is devoted to understanding why and when cancer patients refuse their offered treatment modalities. Information in the literature is scanty too. This population-based study analyzes the characteristics and outcomes of women with breast cancer in the Northern Alberta Health Region (NAHR) who refused recommended primary standard treatments. Insights gained would be extremely useful in the clinic.

The demographics of the patients who refused standard surgical treatments in the NAHR during the period 1980–2006 are listed in Table 1. A total of 185 (1.2%) patients refused the recommended standard primary treatment in the NAHR. Of them, 87 (47%) were below the age of 75 at the time of diagnosis.

The majority of the women who refused standard treatments were married (50.6%), 50 years and older (60.9%), and urban residents (65.5%) at the time of diagnosis. Among the retired group of patients, 10.4% refused the standard treatment.

Table 2 describes the stage of disease at initial presentation and disease status on referral to the tertiary cancer center. Fifty-seven patients (65.5%) had biopsy confirmation only; 30 (34.5%) underwent delayed surgery. Fifty patients (58%) decided to undergo complementary and alternative medicine (CAM) treatments, whereas the reason for refusal was unclear for 37 (42.5%) patients. There was on average a delay of 20–30 weeks before surgery.

Figure 1 compares the survival curves of patients who refused and accepted treatments. The 5-year overall survival was 43.2% (95% CI: 32.0 to 54.4%) for those who refused standard treatments and 81.9% (95% CI: 76.9 to 86.9%) for those who received them. The corresponding values for the disease-specific survival were 46.2% (95% CI: 34.9 to 57.6%) vs. 84.7% (95% CI: 80.0 to 89.4%).

Since 58% of patients received different kinds of CAM, a comparison of the outcome was performed between groups who received CAM and those whose treatment details were not known. Figure 2 compares the survival patterns of women who refused treatment who either received CAM or for whom the reason for refusal was unknown. The 5-year overall survival was 57.4% (95% CI: 42.7 to 72.1%) for women who received CAM and 26.3% (95% CI: 11.3 to 41.3%) for those whose treatment details were unknown. The global survival for the CAM group was better than for women whose reason for refusal was unknown (p ≤ 0.05), and disease-specific survival for the CAM was better for women whose reason for refusal was unknown, but this was not statistically significant (31.5%; 95% CI: 15.1 to 48.0%).

Our study was designed to quantify the incidence and characteristics of breast cancer patients who refused standard treatments offered in the NAHR and to compare their outcomes with those who received the recommended treatments. At present, a reasonable estimate of the incidence of patients refusing standard breast cancer treatments is not available. Verkooijen et al. reported that 0.7% of the breast cancer patients registered at the Geneva cancer registry had declined any of the standard treatments offered [4, 5]. The disease-specific survival was significantly lower for this group of patients when compared to those who received standard treatment (36% vs. 75% at 10 years). Our data showed that 1.2% breast cancer patients refused standard treatments with similarly poor outcomes (43.2% vs. 81.9%).

A patient’s decision to decline the recommended cancer treatment depends on many factors, probably based on previous experiences and personal values [6]. Various factors claimed to be associated with cancer treatment refusal include: lower social class, higher education, single or divorced, patients living in a rural community, higher age group, medical co-morbidity, fear of surgery, fear of anesthesia and fear of treatment-related side effects [4‐7]. No significant association was linked to our population, and fewer incidences occurred among the retired group. The majority of our cohort was 50 years or older, lived in the urban community and was married. Our study did not reveal any factors closely related to cancer treatment refusal.

Growing numbers of patients globally are integrating non-standard treatments such as herbal medicines, vitamins, special diets, prayers, etc., into their cancer care. These non-standard treatments are considered complementary and alternative medicine (CAM). One of the interesting observations was that the majority of our patients who refused the standard treatments received various types of CAM. Unfortunately, the details of CAM received by our patients were not available, since most of these patients refused to be followed up. In our series, most of the patients failed to report back for follow-up once they decided to refuse surgery. There is widespread concern among oncologists regarding the use of CAM for cancer treatment as primary or supportive medication because of the lack of quality data supporting its clinical efficiency. Patients may be aware of the concerns felt by their oncologist regarding the use of CAM, and hence such patients are often reluctant to disclose information on the type of therapies they seek. Kremser et al. reported that a significant proportion (87.5%) of women with breast cancer use complementary therapies as supportive treatment [8]. Although some benefits of CAM as a supportive treatment have been reported, most evidence demonstrates that CAM is ineffective or could adversely interact with standard cancer treatment [8].

Our data showed that almost all the patients who initially refused treatment progressed to a higher stage on later presentation at the cancer center. The majority of the patients (57%) in our series initially chose CAM as the primary treatment instead of surgery. Those who had chosen CAM had disease progression with particularly poor disease-specific survival when compared to those who received standard treatment. It is therefore important to educate patients who decided to decline standard treatments for CAM about the risk of such therapies. There could be many reasons for a patient to decline the standard treatment offered. However, a decision to refuse a possible curative treatment could lead to an ethical dilemma for the physician. In general, the oncologist may respect a patient’s decision and disengage with them. However, this may not be in the best interest of the patient. Carrese et al. recommended evaluating the patient’s capacity for decision-making and exploring the potential risk factors influencing the decision to refuse treatment [9]. Most patients appreciate effective and open communication by the oncologist, which is essential for better decisions and outcomes. Family physicians (FPs) can also play significant roles in the decision-making concerning their patient’s cancer treatment, since most of them have long, trusting relationships with their patients. In general, oncologists provide detailed information to the FPs about their patient’s treatment plan after the initial consultation. FPs can provide emotional support and educate the patient about the disease and the nature of treatment needed.

This study was discussed at the Canadian Radiation Oncologist’s (CARO) 2011 annual meeting, especially the role of the involved oncologist in managing patients who refuse cancer treatment. In general, the forum agreed on the need for carefully educating the patient directly and through the FP about the risks of taking CAM instead of evidence-based treatments as primary treatment. Such discussions could lead to reversal of patient’s decision to refuse treatment. Open communication between the physician and patient is important. Poor communication was mentioned as a reason for declining conventional treatment [10]. Psychosocial services can also help to bridge the communication gap and resolve any misunderstanding of treatment options. In our study, surgery was delayed an average of 20–30 weeks because of initial treatment with CAM. Patients could be interested in experiencing the benefits of trying CAM before surgery because of the belief that CAM could result in a cure. The physician should emphasize the impact of delaying radical treatment, with the risk of forfeiting the possibility of conservative surgery, or increasing nodal or distant cancer spread.

A potential limitation of our study was that it was a retrospective series with a relatively small sample size. In addition, the study lacked co-morbidity information as well as detailed information on non-standard treatments received by each patient.

In summary, women who refused evidence-based treatment for breast cancer had significantly worse outcomes than women who received standard therapies. At present, there is no evidence available to support the use of CAM as the primary breast cancer treatment. It is therefore important for the physician to educate patients about the treatments and also to warn about the potential risk of using CAM instead of undergoing evidence-based treatment.